SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, DATA CENTER STRATEGY (CHARLOTTE, NC)

Job Summary:

The Senior Vice President, Data Center Strategy will lead the strategy, growth, and performance of Compass Group’s Data Center vertical. This executive will define the long-term vision, business plan, operating model, and expansion agenda for a rapidly growing platform serving clients across the full data center lifecycle, from construction support and mobilization through steady-state operations.

The SVP will build and lead a high-performing organization across business development, mobilization, operations, technical services, workplace services, engineering and maintenance, culinary, and support functions. This leader will establish the culture, structure, talent strategy, and scalable operating framework required to deliver exceptional service in highly secure, mission-critical environments.

Reporting to the CEO of Support Services, this role will influence enterprise-wide strategy, partner with executive stakeholders across Compass Group, and serve as executive sponsor for the most strategic client relationships. The successful candidate will position Compass as a market leader by integrating food, workplace, technical, facilities, and operational services into differentiated solutions that create value throughout the data center lifecycle.

Responsibilities:

Enterprise Leadership & Growth

• Provide executive leadership for Compass Group’s Data Center vertical, with accountability for strategy, growth, operational performance, client satisfaction, and financial results.
• Define and execute the long-term vision, business plan, and growth agenda across the full data center lifecycle, from construction support and mobilization through steady-state operations.
• Build and scale a differentiated operating model that integrates food, workplace, technical, facilities, and operational services within mission-critical environments.
• Contribute to enterprise-wide strategy, innovation, and growth priorities as a member of the senior leadership team.
• Identify market trends, emerging client needs, and expansion opportunities that strengthen Compass Group’s competitive differentiation.

Client, Commercial & Market Leadership

• Serve as executive sponsor for the largest and most strategic client partnerships, strengthening relationships with senior stakeholders across operations, construction, infrastructure, workplace services, procurement, and support functions.
• Shape commercial strategy in partnership with business development and retention teams, including solution design, pricing, contract strategy, and client growth plans.
• Lead the development of integrated service solutions that span food, culinary, workplace, facilities, technical, and operational services across construction and steady-state phases.
• Drive commercial excellence initiatives focused on revenue growth, market expansion, client acquisition, retention, profitability, and enterprise value creation.
• Represent Compass Group in industry forums, client engagements, and strategic partner discussions to strengthen market presence and advance the growth agenda.

Organizational Leadership & Team Development

• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing senior leadership team capable of scaling the business and delivering consistent operational excellence.
• Establish organizational structures, talent strategies, succession plans, and leadership development priorities aligned to the growth agenda.
• Set the cultural tone for the organization by reinforcing inclusion, accountability, safety, innovation, collaboration, and client-centricity.
• Advance employee engagement, retention, workforce planning, and organizational effectiveness across a rapidly expanding platform.
• Inspire teams to deliver exceptional service experiences while continuously improving operational discipline, financial performance, and leadership capability.

Responsibilities Cont:

Operational Excellence, Transformation & Mobilization

• Establish scalable operating models that enable rapid deployment, consistent execution, and high-quality service delivery across expanding data center campuses.
• Oversee mobilization strategies for new locations, ensuring seamless transitions from construction support to fully operational service programs.
• Drive a culture of safety, operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement within highly secure, mission-critical environments.
• Lead transformation initiatives that improve organizational effectiveness, service innovation, customer experience, and operational performance.
• Leverage technology, analytics, artificial intelligence, automation, and digital solutions to improve performance and enable data-driven decision making.

Financial Leadership & Value Creation

• Own financial performance across the Data Center vertical, including revenue growth, profitability, forecasting, budgeting, strategic planning, and investment prioritization.
• Drive value creation through operational excellence, client satisfaction, revenue optimization, margin improvement, and disciplined performance management.
• Evaluate strategic partnerships, acquisitions, service expansion opportunities, and new business models that support long-term growth.
• Partner with finance leadership to strengthen forecasting, reporting, governance, and accountability against growth and performance objectives.
• Maintain clear accountability for delivering strong financial results while advancing exceptional client outcomes and sustainable enterprise value.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 12+ years of progressive executive leadership experience within data centers, critical environments, mission-critical operations, technical services, workplace services, foodservice, facilities services, construction support services, industrial services, or related industries.
• Proven success operating within a highly matrixed organization and building strong cross‑business partnerships
• Demonstrated success building, scaling, transforming, or leading high-growth businesses, platforms, service lines, or operating environments.
• Proven experience leading large-scale, multi-site operations and complex client relationships.
• Strong commercial, financial, and operational acumen with experience in growth strategy, market expansion, and revenue generation.
• Experience supporting clients through construction, mobilization, and ongoing operational phases of complex environments.
• Understanding of data center operations, critical infrastructure, campus support services, workplace services, and foodservice operations.
• Experience developing and leading integrated service solutions that combine food service, workplace experience, technical services, facilities support, and operational services.
• Proven success leading business transformation, organizational design, operating model development, and commercial excellence initiatives.
• Experience leveraging technology, analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation to drive operational and commercial performance.
• Exceptional executive presence, stakeholder management, negotiation, influencing, and communication skills.