About Backblaze

Backblaze is the object storage leader in the open cloud movement, fueling customer success with cloud storage built purposefully to unlock budgets, unburden administrators, and unleash innovators. Together with our partners, we’re helping customers break free from the restrictive, overpriced legacy solutions that hold them back, and blaze forward with the full power of the open cloud in their hands.

Founded in 2007, we scaled the business with less than $3 million in outside funding until 2021, when we did a traditional IPO on the Nasdaq stock exchange. Today, Backblaze generates over $100m in revenue and is the leading specialized storage cloud - managing over three billion gigabytes of data storage for 500K+ customers in 175+ countries, including businesses, developers, IT professionals, and individuals.

But while there is a lot to celebrate in our past, there is almost as much opportunity ahead of us. We are seeking an ambitious and accomplished Director, Data Center Operations to join our Cloud Operations leadership team and shepherd the teams who run our data center locations worldwide. In this role, you will play a crucial part in maximizing the value of our data center space and power, staying one step ahead of growth and demand, and fueling the success of our cloud storage products in the market. In addition, you will have responsibility for all on-site activities, including build activity and incident response. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on our company's growth trajectory and shape the future of our global data center footprint.

This position may be remote, but our team loves face-to-face collaboration. Most of our leaders are spread across the country, so we like them to come into the office at least once a month.

What’s in it for you?

As the Director, Data Center Operations, you will have direct responsibility for the efficient management of Backblaze’s global data center and infrastructure footprint. You will directly manage and mentor our global data center teams, including key vendors. You will also share the responsibility of managing the demand forecast, and make key decisions regarding expansion of existing facilities, or embarking upon opening new ones. Simultaneously, you will be directly responsible for managing our contracts and the underlying costs.

At Backblaze, we foster a positive and supportive culture, valuing the best talent and investing in the growth and development of our team members.

What will you be doing?

You will be a key member of the Cloud Operations leadership team, reporting to the SVP, Cloud Operations. You will lead the globally distributed data center teams which comprise your group, and guide the organization through effective management and leadership:

• Lead globally distributed team of 30+ data center technicians that:

  • Maintain the racks, equipment, structured cabling, and power infrastructure in Backblaze data centers to the highest standards of quality

  • Deliver best-in-class production support capabilities, with an ability to prioritize first things first.

  • Liaison as needed with suppliers and vendors to resolve facility-level issues.

  • Collaborate with Supply Chain to manage proper levels of inventory

  • Leverage operational data to drive continuous improvement in everything we do

• Lead & coordinate strategic initiatives regarding Backblaze’s worldwide data center footprint, most importantly forecasting space and power growth in existing markets, plus evaluating new ones.
• Liaise with Supply Chain to manage critical contract renewal cycles
• Establish department level objectives, policies, and procedures, creating OKRs or other measurements as applicable
• Recruit & coach team to support Backblaze and individual career objectives
• Build strong cross functional relationships, most importantly with Production Support and Supply Chain
• Manage department budget
• Be an engaged, visible, and admired leader

What do you bring to the table?

• Proven experience in a similar leadership role within the Data Center or Infrastructure-as-a-Service industry.
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, including building high-performing teams and effectively interacting with colleagues across Backblaze and team members.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a data-driven approach to decision-making
• Significant experience in cloud-scale data center systems and services
• Significant experience in managing power/cooling budgets at scale in data centers, and ability to convert that data into a multi-year forecast.
• A passion for process improvement and project management at scale
• 6+ years of management experience, with at least 3 years at Director level
• 5+ years of hands-on technical experience in a field related to team’s focus
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed
• Remote - Continental USA OK, with experience managing remotely

At this point, we hope you're feeling excited about the job description you're reading. Even if you don't meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Learning, developing, and growing are key parts of our culture. We're eager to meet people who believe in our mission and can contribute to our team in various ways. We want people to feel comfortable expressing their true selves and to come, stay, and do their best work here.

Backblaze Perks:

• Annual Company bonus plan
• RSU grants for full-time employees
• Annual bonus plan
• 100% paid healthcare for family, including dental and vision
• 401K
• ESPP program
• Flexible vacation policy
• Maternity & paternity leave
• MacBook Pro to use for work plus a generous stipend to personalize your workstation
• Childcare bonus (human children only)
• Fertility treatment and support
• Learning & development program
• Commuter benefits
• Culture that supports a healthy work-life balance

To provide greater transparency to candidates, we share base pay ranges for all US-based job postings regardless of state. We set standard base pay ranges for all roles based on function, level, and country location, benchmarked against similar-stage growth companies. Final offer amounts include candidate location, skills, depth of work experience, and relevant licenses/credentials and may vary from the amounts listed below.

The base pay range for this position is $162,000 - $220,000

At Backblaze, we value being fair and good to our customers, partners, and employees. That’s why diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of our values. We are committed to fostering a workforce where all employees feel a sense of belonging regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, socio-economic status, ability, veteran status, and education. We believe that our dedication to cultivating a diverse workspace not only allows us to better serve our customers in over 175 countries, but further reinforces our commitment to doing the right thing. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To understand more about the data we collect and process as part of your application, please view our Backblaze Employee Privacy Notice.