Global Data Center Manager

Nasdaq is seeking a highly experienced Global Data Center Manager to oversee and optimize its global data center footprint, supporting mission-critical financial trading and real-time transaction environments. The role involves managing over 20 global data centers, ensuring near-zero downtime, stringent security, and regulatory compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27001, DORA). Key responsibilities include managing a $40M+ annual budget, leading a distributed team, and possessing deep expertise in infrastructure, connectivity, and vendor management within a regulated fintech organization.

Must Have

• Oversee and optimize global data center footprint.
• Manage 20+ global data centers with third-party colocation providers.
• Maintain near-zero downtime and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Lead incident response and root-cause analysis.
• Possess deep understanding of high-density, financial-grade infrastructure.
• Expertise in structured cabling and equidistant cabling principles.
• Experience with telecommunications carriers for ultra-low-latency routes.
• Strong understanding of data center contracts and financial regulations.
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Risk for regulatory adherence.
• Manage a $40M+ annual global budget.
• Lead and mentor a distributed team of data center technicians and engineers.
• 8-12+ years managing global data centers, ideally in fintech.
• Experience with regulated environments and audit-ready documentation.

Good to Have

• Familiarity with emerging liquid cooling technologies (direct-to-chip, Rear door Heat Exchangers).
• Knowledge of Cloud onramps (AWS, Azure) and hybrid cloud models.
• Experience with DCIM tools and Building Management Systems (BMS).

Perks & Benefits

• Competitive rewards package
• Generous annual bonus/commission (short-term incentive)
• Equity (long-term incentive)
• Comprehensive benefits
• Opportunity for growth
• 401(k) program with 6% employer match
• Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount
• Student loan repayment program up to $10k
• Company paid life and disability plans
• Generous paid time off
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage
• Health spending account with employer contribution
• Paid flex days to support mental wellbeing
• Gym membership discounts
• Hybrid home/office schedule (NasdaqBlend)
• Paid parental leave
• Fertility benefits
• Paid bereavement leave
• Company gift matching program
• Employee resource groups
• Paid volunteer days
• Education Assistance Program
• Robust job skills training
• Professional development opportunities

We are seeking a highly experienced Global Data Center Manager to oversee and optimize our global data center footprint in support of mission-critical financial trading, and real-time transaction environments. The ideal candidate brings deep technical expertise in large-scale data center operations, exceptional vendor management skills, and the ability to meet the stringent security, compliance, and uptime requirements of a regulated fintech organization. This role supports more than twenty (20) global data centers and ensures our infrastructure meets strict standards for latency, resiliency, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Global Data Center Operations (Fintech-Focused)

• Manage and support 20+ global data centers in partnership with third-party colocation providers critical to financial workloads.
• Maintain near-zero downtime through rigorous change control, redundancy management, and capacity planning aligned with financial transaction volumes and regulatory SLAs.
• Lead incident response activities with a focus on rapid recovery, root-cause analysis, and audit-ready documentation.

Facilities & Infrastructure Expertise

• Deep understanding of high-density, financial-grade infrastructure including HVAC systems, redundant utility feeds, switchgear, UPS/N+1–2 power distribution, PDUs, busways, and advanced monitoring systems.
• Evaluate energy efficiency, performance, and reliability with a focus on supporting high-density compute, networking and trading systems
• Familiarity with emerging liquid cooling technologies (direct-to-chip and Rear door Heat Exchangers) used in HPC, AI/ML, workloads.

Connectivity, Cabling & Low-Latency Environments

• Strong expertise in structured cabling including cross-connects, intra and inter-cabinet fiber, copper, coax for GPS, fiber trunks, meet-me rooms, and provider Points of Entry (POE).
• Deep understanding of equidistant cabling principles critical for trading environments.

Telecom, Carrier, & Market Connectivity

• Experience with telecommunications carriers, dark fiber providers, and microwave or millimeter-wave technology for ultra-low-latency routes to financial exchanges.
• Understanding of diverse and resilient connectivity to clients and liquidity providers, market data feeds, and global cloud environments.

Cloud & Hybrid Fintech Ecosystem

• Familiarity with Cloud onramps options including but not limited to AWS and Azure
• Knowledge of hybrid models where compute spans colocation, edge and public / private cloud in a compliant and secure manner.

Vendor, Regulatory & Contract Management

• Strong understanding of data center contracts with an emphasis on:
• Financial based market rates and negotiation
• Contract terms such as Exit clauses and risk mitigation
• SLA uptime guarantees
• Regulated data handling requirements
• Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Risk to ensure data center providers meet compliance regulations including but not limited to SOC 2, ISO 27001, DORA and regional financial regulations.

Strategic Planning

• Collaborate with Product, Compliance, Security, and Engineering teams to forecast capacity needs.
• Develop and present a global data center strategy in a committee setting

Financial Stewardship & Budgeting

• Manage a $40M+ annual global budget, including data centers, networking services, power, and staffing.
• Drive cost optimization while ensuring compliance with business continuity requirements.

Tools, Monitoring & Infrastructure Management

• Experience with DCIM tools, structured cabling certification tools, environmental monitoring, and inventory systems.
• Knowledge of Building Management Systems (BMS) and financial-sector KPIs, including power utilization, SLA adherence, latency metrics, and capacity forecasting.

Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor a distributed team of data center technicians and engineers across the US and Europe, ensuring 24x7 support for global fintech operations.
• Foster a culture of precision, compliance, continuous improvement, and operational discipline.

Qualifications

• 8–12+ years managing global or multi-site data centers, ideally supporting fintech, trading, or financial services platforms.
• Deep knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and connectivity infrastructures and low-latency environments.
• Experience with regulated environments (e.g., ISO, SOC) and audit-ready documentation.
• Proven success managing large budgets and complex vendor ecosystems.
• Strong communication and cross-functional leadership abilities.
• Ability to travel internationally as required.

What We Offer

We’re proud to offer a competitive rewards package that is meaningful, recognizes the unique needs of our employees and their families and incentivizes employees for their contribution to Nasdaq’s overall success.

The base pay range for this role is $143,000 - $279,000. In addition to base salary, Nasdaq provides a generous annual bonus/commission (short-term incentive), and equity (long-term incentive), comprehensive benefits, and opportunity for growth. Exact compensation may vary based on several job-related factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to: skill set, experience, education/training, business needs and market demands.

Nasdaq’s programs and rewards are intended to allow our employees to:

• Secure Wealth: 401(k) program with 6% employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, Student loan repayment program up to $10k, Company paid life and disability plans, Generous paid time off
• Prioritize Health: Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, Health spending account with employer contribution, Paid flex days to support mental wellbeing, Gym membership discounts
• Care for Family: Hybrid home/office schedule (for most positions), Paid parental leave, Fertility benefits, Paid bereavement leave
• Connect with Community: Company gift matching program, Employee resource groups, Paid volunteer days
• Grow Career: Education Assistance Program, Robust job skills training and Professional development opportunities

We Power the Markets that Power the World

At Nasdaq, we’re proud to be the engine behind the world’s capital markets. But we don’t stop there. We build the technology that drives transparency, trust, and access—helping economies grow and people thrive. Our purpose is to advance economic progress for all. Whether you’re a client, a colleague, or part of our broader community, we’re here to move markets—and possibilities—forward.

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Work Where and How You Thrive

Our hybrid work model, NasdaqBlend, gives you flexibility to do your best work—whether that’s from home, in the office, or a mix of both. Check the job listing or reach out to our team for role-specific details.

What Makes Nasdaq Different? Our Purpose

We’re a global team of over 8,500 innovators across 38 countries, united by a shared purpose: advancing economic progress for all. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it, together. Want a deeper look into our culture? Explore our Culture Book.

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Your Growth Is Our Investment

We support your success through You&Q, our total rewards program that covers every dimension of life—from building wealth and growing your career to prioritizing well-being and family care.

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