VP, Operations & Maintenance

Job description

## About Nscale At Nscale, we are building the infrastructure for the AI revolution. Nscale is developing cutting-edge, sovereign generative AI solutions powered by a new generation of high-performance, sustainable data centers and GPUs built specifically for AI workloads. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence is driving unprecedented global demand for compute and GPU infrastructure. Positioned at the heart of this transformation, Nscale is delivering the platforms that will enable the next decade of innovation. Working closely with the world's most advanced AI technology providers, including Microsoft and NVIDIA, Nscale integrates next-generation compute hardware and GPU clusters across both partner and self-delivered facilities. This is a unique opportunity to join Nscale's journey, play a pivotal role in delivering transformative AI infrastructure, and help shape a company designed to scale rapidly across North America, Europe, and beyond. ## About the role Nscale Power & Energy's Monarch Compute Campus ("Monarch") is seeking a VP, Operations and Maintenance to lead safe, compliant, and high-availability operations and maintenance ("O&M") for Monarch's behind-the-meter power generation and energy infrastructure supporting a mission-critical data center campus in Mason County, West Virginia. This on-site role is accountable for operational and maintenance readiness from mobilization through commercial operations, day-to-day plant performance, and the integration and governance of key O&M counterparties (third-party operator and OEM/dealer maintenance providers) through a clearly defined division of responsibilities and disciplined performance management. Monarch intends to utilize (i) a third-party operations services provider to operate the facility and (ii) an OEM/dealer-affiliated maintenance services team to perform on-site maintenance work. The VP, Operations and Maintenance owns and runs the day-to-day operating model and governance, including a clear division of responsibilities, performance oversight, compliance and safety expectations, and escalation paths. The third-party operations services provider reports directly to the VP, Operations and Maintenance. The OEM/dealer maintenance team maintains a dual reporting relationship to the third-party operator (for day-to-day work coordination) and to the VP, Operations and Maintenance (for performance oversight, compliance, safety, and escalation). This is a senior leadership role. You will build Monarch's operating organization from mobilization forward, own its performance against mission-critical availability requirements, and represent operations to Nscale leadership, counterparties, and the local community. ## What you'll be doing - **Safety, compliance, and operational excellence:** Own site safety culture and operating discipline; ensure compliance with all applicable laws, permits, codes, and standards; and coordinate incident reporting, investigations, and corrective actions. - **Operational readiness and mobilization:** Own and execute the transition from construction and commissioning to operations, including operating procedures, turnover criteria, readiness checklists, staffing ramp-up, training and qualification programs, and operator handover from EPC/OEMs. - **Multi-party O&M execution:** Own the Division of Responsibilities (DOR) matrix and responsibility assignment (RACI) across Monarch, the O&M service provider, and OEM/dealer maintenance providers; close seams and eliminate gaps and overlaps. - **Plant performance:** Own availability, reliability, and power quality performance aligned with mission-critical data center requirements; manage planned and forced outage performance and restoration readiness. - **Maintenance strategy:** Own and govern preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs, including outage planning, major maintenance and overhaul coordination, and warranty and punch list management. - **Spare parts and inventory management:** Own critical spares lists, min/max stocking levels, and consumables (fuel, lube, coolant) inventory; manage lead times, obsolescence risk, and OEM/dealer-supplied inventory interfaces to support reliability and outage execution. - **Interconnection and grid interface coordination:** Own the operational interface with the local utility and any interconnecting parties, including parallel operation, protection and relay coordination, standby service arrangements, metering and settlement data, and curtailment or islanding protocols. - **Systems and data:** Own and govern the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) and reliability reporting; integrate OEM telematics and site monitoring tools into a unified maintenance and KPI cadence. - **Contractor and vendor management:** Own performance management of O&M vendors, including service levels, KPIs, reporting cadence, issue escalation, and continuous improvement initiatives. - **Operator and maintenance provider governance:** Own and enforce the operating governance model across the third-party operator and OEM/dealer maintenance team, including clear reporting lines, daily and weekly coordination cadence, KPI scorecards, work authorization, and escalation protocols. - **Budgeting and cost control:** Own the annual operating plan and O&M budget; drive cost transparency and disciplined spend controls while protecting reliability and compliance. - **Emergency response:** Own site emergency response planning and drills; coordinate incident response with the data center operations team, utilities, OEMs, and local agencies. - **People leadership:** Build and lead a high-performing operations team, including recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, and succession planning, and set expectations consistent with Monarch's values and operational standards. - **Facility reporting:** Own and deliver standardized weekly and monthly reports covering the entire Monarch facility, including safety, availability and reliability, outage and maintenance execution, compliance status, spend versus budget, key risks and issues, and corrective action tracking. - **Stakeholder communication:** Maintain local stakeholder communications and relationships. - **Risk management:** Own identification and mitigation of operational risk, and provide concise, decision-ready reporting to Monarch leadership on operational readiness, performance trends, risks, and mitigation plans. ## About you **Required** - 15+ years in power generation, mission-critical facilities, or heavy industrial operations, with at least 10 years in progressively senior leadership roles. - Senior leadership of at least one greenfield power plant through startup, performance testing, acceptance, and commercial operation, including standing up the operating organization, procedures, and compliance programs from scratch. - Direct management of multi-disciplinary plant organizations (operations, maintenance, engineering, predictive maintenance, environmental, and chemistry) at utility-scale facilities, with responsibility for 25 or more direct and indirect reports. - Ownership of plant O&M and capital budgets, including annual operating plans, multi-year capital planning, variance analysis, and corrective action. - Proven ability to negotiate and manage contracts with OEMs, maintenance contractors, and third-party operators, and to hold them accountable to contractual performance guarantees in a schedule-pressured environment. - Deep working knowledge of generating equipment, medium-voltage switchgear, protective relaying, and generator paralleling controls. - Working knowledge of NERC compliance, RTO/ISO registration and market interfaces, utility interconnection, and environmental permitting and compliance reporting. - Bachelor's degree in mechanical or electrical engineering. **Preferred** - MBA or equivalent business qualification. - PMP, PE, or equivalent professional credential. - Experience in PJM and with West Virginia or Appalachian-region generation assets. - Experience operating behind-the-meter or island-mode generation serving a data center or other mission-critical load. - Experience with reciprocating engine fleets, battery energy storage systems, and water treatment systems. ## Reporting, travel, and work environment - Reports to the SVP, Asset Management (Power). - Based on site at the Monarch Compute Campus, Mason County, West Virginia. - Some travel required. - Work will include off-hours, weekend, and holiday coverage. - Work is performed in an active construction and energized electrical environment; the role requires the ability to wear arc-rated PPE, navigate construction sites, and work at elevation and in confined spaces as needed. ## What we can offer you At Nscale, you'll find a collaborative, supportive, and innovative environment where your contributions spark real impact. - Highly competitive US compensation package (base + bonus + equity), with performance reviews every 12 months - Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage - 401(k) retirement plan with company match - Generous PTO plus US federal holidays - A career-defining opportunity to be an early leader in one of the fastest growing AI infrastructure companies in the world - A human-first approach: we treat you as humans first. Our flexible workplace trusts Nscalers to deliver, giving you the autonomy needed to get the job done. ## Equal opportunities statement At Nscale, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace. We believe that a variety of perspectives enriches our work environment, and we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, parents, carers, and people from lower socio-economic backgrounds. If there's anything we can do to accommodate your specific situation, please let us know. The range below reflects the base salary for the position. Actual compensation may vary based on job-related factors such as skill set, experience, education, and location. In addition to base salary, this role may be eligible for bonus, equity, and/or commission programs. Nscale may offer a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible paid time off, parental leave, and retirement plan participation. Salary Range $260,000—$450,000 USD *For information on how Nscale handles candidate personal data, please see our Employee & Candidate Privacy Notice: [Here.](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QK5Yg04WHD9K9IAtJgQWubJZC9oLvatK/view?usp=sharing) Nscale does not accept unsolicited candidate submissions from recruitment agencies.*