Manager, Substation Operations & Maintenance Contracts

Headquartered in the Greater Washington area, American Real Estate Partners (AREP) is a US-based leading institutional fund manager and real estate partner with over $13 billion deployed across key U.S. markets. Specializing in data center, residential, industrial, and office assets, AREP has acquired more than 34 million square feet of Class A real estate and currently manages over 25 million square feet.

PowerHouse Data Centers, a wholly owned division of AREP, is a developer and owner of next-generation data centers and provides technical real estate solutions for hyperscalers across the country. Backed by strategic joint venture partnerships, PowerHouse leverages its proven leadership and best-in-class technical expertise to deliver innovative real estate solutions.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Manager, Substation Operations & Maintenance Contracts, is responsible for the full lifecycle management of private substation operations and maintenance (O&M) contracts supporting data center development projects. This position is directly responsible for ensuring third-party vendors and internal teams deliver services that maintain high-voltage asset reliability while strictly adhering to safety, financial, regulatory standards, and tenant SLAs. The incumbent will interact with utility partners, EPC contractors, operations vendors, asset management teams, and capital partners as necessary.

The Manager, Substation Operations & Maintenance Contracts reports to the SVP, Infrastructure Operations & Development.

This role is based out of company headquarters with regular travel to project sites and utility partner locations. Travel requirements may expand as the portfolio grows.

Primary Responsibilities

• Draft, negotiate, and execute Operations, Maintenance, and Emergency Response contracts with vendors and subcontractors to ensure favorable terms and clear service-level agreements.
• Maintain compliance with tenant service level agreements
• Lead coordination between tenants and O&M contractors/vendors for routine, maintenance, and emergency response work
• Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for contractors, ensuring they meet technical standards (ANSI, IEEE) and safety regulations (OSHA, NESC).
• Develop, coordinate, and maintain contract schedules; negotiate and resolve critical path conflicts related to vendor performance.
• Manage contracts and agreements and enforce provisions as necessary throughout the project life cycle.
• Build and maintain a qualified network of substation O&M contractors capable of supporting emergency response and routine maintenance across multiple markets.
• Develop safety and access protocols for all substation sites and develop action plans to ensure compliance
• Review all substation one-lines prior and during construction to confirm tenant redundancy requirements are met.
• Conduct monthly inspections of all active substation sites.

Key Qualifications & Competencies:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, construction management, business, or a related field, or equivalent significant relevant working experience in lieu of degree.
• 5+ years of direct experience in substation operations, transmission and distribution (T&D) projects, and high-voltage maintenance.
• Proven track record in vendor management and oversight of major EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) companies.
• Strong understanding of electric transmission and distribution systems, substation concepts, and electric utility infrastructure.
• Deep knowledge of NERC standards, OSHA safety guidelines, and ANSI/IEEE technical specifications.
• Proficiency with SCADA systems, protective relays, and the ability to interpret one-line electrical diagrams and schematics.
• Familiarity with condition-based maintenance and predictive monitoring tools for asset management.
• Knowledge of utility agreements, tariffs, and power contracts across multiple utility markets.
• Strong understanding of power redundancy principles and data center-specific electric utility requirements.
• Ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines and generate detail-oriented work product.
• Self-starter and team-player with ability to identify problems and develop creative solutions in a fast-paced environment with limited supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with senior management, technical consultants, utility stakeholders, and fellow employees.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite; cloud-based project management software a plus (Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud).

Candidates with any or all of the following background are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Advanced degree in engineering, business, or a related field.
• Project management (PMP) or relevant electrical certifications.
• Experience supporting hyperscale or colocation data center utility infrastructure.
• Specific experience with private substation ownership and O&M contract structures.
• Familiarity with DCIM platforms and substation asset management systems.
• Experience with battery energy storage systems (BESS) and renewable energy integration.

AREP offers a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your eligible family members, a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), life and supplemental life insurance and short and long-term disability insurance. Our package includes Paid Time Off, Parental Leave, 401(k) plan with employer match, Employee Assistance Program and Employee Discount Program.

AREP is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, as well as any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

If you require special accommodation, please email [email protected].

AREP does not accept unsolicited resumes or identifiable candidate information from third-party recruiters. Any unsolicited information will not be considered for engagement purposes.