H-1B Visa Director Operational Excellence Jobs
Director Operational Excellence roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations under the business operations and management category, typically requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in industrial engineering, operations management, or a related field. Employers in manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics are active H-1B sponsors for this title.
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The Director of Operational Excellence & Assurance owns two closely linked functions at Related Digital: driving continuous improvement across data center operations, and independently assessing and auditing operational, safety, and quality performance against the Related Digital EHS Program Manual, site standard operating procedures, and applicable regulatory and industry standards. This includes auditing facility management partner performance against contractual SLAs and KPIs, and supporting Related Digital’s SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certification programs. This role designs and executes the internal audit and assessment program, verifies that field practice matches documented procedure, drives corrective action to closure, and partners with site and regional leadership to convert audit findings into lasting process improvement. The role carries Stop Work Authority and reports significant findings directly to site and operations leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
- Lead site and portfolio level continuous improvement initiatives to improve the safety, reliability, quality, and efficiency of data center operations.
- Establish and maintain standardized operating procedures, playbooks, and best-practice sharing across sites.
- Define, track, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) for operational performance, safety, and compliance; identify trends and improvement opportunities.
- Facilitate root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) processes for operational, safety, and quality events, consistent with the Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis Program.
- Partner with Engineering, Facilities, and EHS teams to standardize processes across the portfolio and support new site commissioning and operational readiness.
- Champion a culture of continuous improvement, change management, and operational discipline among site teams.
- Monitor energy performance, including PUE, against site design targets and drive corrective action for deviations.
Operational Assessment & Internal Audit
- Design, own, and execute the annual internal audit and operational assessment plan across all Related Digital sites, covering all EHS programs, life-safety systems, critical facility operations, and quality/process compliance.
- Conduct on-site operational assessments and compliance audits against the Program Manuals, site SOPs, inspection/checklist templates, and applicable regulatory or industry standards (OSHA, NFPA, ANSI, Uptime Institute Tier Standards, SOC2, ISO 9001/45001/14001).
- Evaluate the completeness and currency of site-level checklists, inspection logs, JHAs/AHAs, and training records against the EHS Training Requirements Matrix.
- Document audit findings, assign risk ratings, and issue formal assessment reports to site and regional leadership.
- Track corrective action plans (CAPs) to closure, verifying effectiveness through follow-up audits.
- Maintain audit program documentation, evidence, and records consistent with the Records Management & Retention Program.
- Support external audits, customer/tenant due-diligence assessments, and regulatory inspections as the internal subject matter expert.
- Audit physical security programs, covering access control, credentialing, and key management.
- Audit commissioning and construction documentation, such as MOPs, RCAs, and general contractor turnover packages, for completeness before closeout.
Facility Management Partner & Vendor Oversight
- Audit facility management partner performance against contractual SLAs and KPIs, covering maintenance completion, staffing, and site inspections; validate SLA credits using EPMS, BMS, CMMS, and incident log data.
- Audit facility management partner Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery programs, and verify adherence to change management and work notification protocols.
- Support evaluation of facility management partner RFP responses and subcontractor compliance.
- Review partner markups, pricing transparency, and preferred vendor compliance.
- Support transition and exit audits when facility management partners change.
Governance, Training & Reporting
- Maintain and continuously improve the internal audit methodology, scoring rubrics, and assessment tools.
- Deliver periodic (e.g., quarterly) operational excellence and audit performance reporting to executive leadership, including site scorecards and trend analysis.
- Partner with the Site EHS Manager and Safety Training Program owners to close training and competency gaps identified during assessments.
- Provide coaching and calibration to site leadership on self-assessment practices, audit readiness, and continuous improvement tools.
- Participate in incident investigation reviews where root causes point to systemic operational or procedural gaps.
- Lead Related Digital’s SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 audit cycles, including evidence collection and coordination with external auditors.
- Review facility management partner SOC 2 and ISO 27001 attestation reports where relevant to Related Digital’s compliance obligations.
Educational and Certifications
Minimum Education (Required):
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Occupational Safety & Health, Business Administration, Operations Management, Quality Management, or another related technical or business discipline.
- Equivalent experience in lieu of degree: an Associate’s degree plus a minimum of four (4) additional years of directly relevant operational excellence, quality assurance, or internal audit experience, or a high school diploma/GED plus eight (8) years of directly relevant experience, may be considered in place of the bachelor’s degree requirement.
Preferred Education:
- Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), Engineering Management, Occupational Safety, Quality Systems, or a related field.
- Formal coursework or certificate training in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or internal audit methodology.
Required and Preferred Certifications:
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry or Construction certification.
- Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or CISA.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH).
- Data center industry certification (e.g., CDCP/CDCS/CDCE, CDCAP, or Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Specialist).
Experience
- Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in operations, quality assurance, EHS, or internal audit roles.
- At least 3 years of that experience in a data center, other critical facility, manufacturing, or industrial operating environment.
- Minimum 3 years leading or managing an internal audit, quality assurance, or operational assessment program.
- Demonstrated track record designing and executing continuous improvement initiatives with measurable, documented results.
- Experience auditing against OSHA/ANSI/NFPA standards, SOC, ISO 9001/45001/14001, IATF 16949, or Uptime Institute Tier Standards is strongly preferred given the mission-critical facility environment.
- Supervisory or project leadership experience, including leading cross-functional teams without direct authority.
Skills & Core Competencies
- Strong analytical and root-cause problem-solving skills; able to synthesize audit data into clear, actionable insights.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to present findings to site staff, peers, and executive leadership with equal clarity.
- High attention to detail balanced with pragmatic judgment on risk prioritization.
- Proficiency with audit/GRC software, statistical and process tools (e.g., Minitab, Excel), and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) is a plus.
- Comfortable exercising Stop Work Authority and holding site teams accountable with professionalism and tact.
- Working knowledge of critical facility systems (electrical, mechanical, fire/life safety) is preferred.
- Self-directed, able to plan and manage a multi-site audit calendar with minimal oversight.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
- Ability to walk extended distances across large facility footprints, climb stairs and ladders, and work in mechanical/electrical rooms with variable noise and temperature.
- Occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs.
- Ability to sit, stand, and use a computer for extended periods when preparing audit reports and analysis.
Travel Requirements
- Up to 40–50% domestic travel across the Related Digital site portfolio can be required, including occasional multi-day site visits. A valid driver’s license is required; ability to travel by air and a US passport is required.
Overview:
Related Digital is a leading vertically integrated data center development and investment platform. We deliver digital infrastructure solutions to hyperscale technology companies so they can accelerate artificial intelligence and cloud computing ambitions.
Founded by Related Companies, one of the most prominent, privately-owned real estate development firms in the United States, Related Digital uniquely combines Related’s 50-year+ history of executing complex real estate and infrastructure projects with its track record in real estate investing and clean energy solutions. With a multi-billion-dollar, near-term development pipeline in the U.S., Related Digital has the expert capabilities, depth of expertise and national scale to help hyperscale companies significantly grow their data center capacity on a rapid timeframe.
Strategic Advantage:
Related Digital harnesses expertise across real estate development and investment, data center development, complex infrastructure construction and clean energy development to bring differentiated solutions to hyperscale technology companies.
National Footprint:
Related Digital is based in New York and Dallas with operations across the United States. Related Companies has offices in gateway cities across the U.S. and London, and developments in 28 states and the District of Columbia, and boasts 4,000 employees.
For information about how we use your personal information, including information submitted for career opportunities, please review our Privacy Policy at https://www.related.com/privacy-policy.
RelatedDigital #LI-RB1 #Onsite
Position Summary
The Director of Operational Excellence & Assurance owns two closely linked functions at Related Digital: driving continuous improvement across data center operations, and independently assessing and auditing operational, safety, and quality performance against the Related Digital EHS Program Manual, site standard operating procedures, and applicable regulatory and industry standards. This includes auditing facility management partner performance against contractual SLAs and KPIs, and supporting Related Digital’s SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certification programs. This role designs and executes the internal audit and assessment program, verifies that field practice matches documented procedure, drives corrective action to closure, and partners with site and regional leadership to convert audit findings into lasting process improvement. The role carries Stop Work Authority and reports significant findings directly to site and operations leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
- Lead site and portfolio level continuous improvement initiatives to improve the safety, reliability, quality, and efficiency of data center operations.
- Establish and maintain standardized operating procedures, playbooks, and best-practice sharing across sites.
- Define, track, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) for operational performance, safety, and compliance; identify trends and improvement opportunities.
- Facilitate root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) processes for operational, safety, and quality events, consistent with the Incident Investigation & Root Cause Analysis Program.
- Partner with Engineering, Facilities, and EHS teams to standardize processes across the portfolio and support new site commissioning and operational readiness.
- Champion a culture of continuous improvement, change management, and operational discipline among site teams.
- Monitor energy performance, including PUE, against site design targets and drive corrective action for deviations.
Operational Assessment & Internal Audit
- Design, own, and execute the annual internal audit and operational assessment plan across all Related Digital sites, covering all EHS programs, life-safety systems, critical facility operations, and quality/process compliance.
- Conduct on-site operational assessments and compliance audits against the Program Manuals, site SOPs, inspection/checklist templates, and applicable regulatory or industry standards (OSHA, NFPA, ANSI, Uptime Institute Tier Standards, SOC2, ISO 9001/45001/14001).
- Evaluate the completeness and currency of site-level checklists, inspection logs, JHAs/AHAs, and training records against the EHS Training Requirements Matrix.
- Document audit findings, assign risk ratings, and issue formal assessment reports to site and regional leadership.
- Track corrective action plans (CAPs) to closure, verifying effectiveness through follow-up audits.
- Maintain audit program documentation, evidence, and records consistent with the Records Management & Retention Program.
- Support external audits, customer/tenant due-diligence assessments, and regulatory inspections as the internal subject matter expert.
- Audit physical security programs, covering access control, credentialing, and key management.
- Audit commissioning and construction documentation, such as MOPs, RCAs, and general contractor turnover packages, for completeness before closeout.
Facility Management Partner & Vendor Oversight
- Audit facility management partner performance against contractual SLAs and KPIs, covering maintenance completion, staffing, and site inspections; validate SLA credits using EPMS, BMS, CMMS, and incident log data.
- Audit facility management partner Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery programs, and verify adherence to change management and work notification protocols.
- Support evaluation of facility management partner RFP responses and subcontractor compliance.
- Review partner markups, pricing transparency, and preferred vendor compliance.
- Support transition and exit audits when facility management partners change.
Governance, Training & Reporting
- Maintain and continuously improve the internal audit methodology, scoring rubrics, and assessment tools.
- Deliver periodic (e.g., quarterly) operational excellence and audit performance reporting to executive leadership, including site scorecards and trend analysis.
- Partner with the Site EHS Manager and Safety Training Program owners to close training and competency gaps identified during assessments.
- Provide coaching and calibration to site leadership on self-assessment practices, audit readiness, and continuous improvement tools.
- Participate in incident investigation reviews where root causes point to systemic operational or procedural gaps.
- Lead Related Digital’s SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 audit cycles, including evidence collection and coordination with external auditors.
- Review facility management partner SOC 2 and ISO 27001 attestation reports where relevant to Related Digital’s compliance obligations.
Educational and Certifications
Minimum Education (Required):
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Occupational Safety & Health, Business Administration, Operations Management, Quality Management, or another related technical or business discipline.
- Equivalent experience in lieu of degree: an Associate’s degree plus a minimum of four (4) additional years of directly relevant operational excellence, quality assurance, or internal audit experience, or a high school diploma/GED plus eight (8) years of directly relevant experience, may be considered in place of the bachelor’s degree requirement.
Preferred Education:
- Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), Engineering Management, Occupational Safety, Quality Systems, or a related field.
- Formal coursework or certificate training in Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or internal audit methodology.
Required and Preferred Certifications:
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry or Construction certification.
- Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or CISA.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), or Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH).
- Data center industry certification (e.g., CDCP/CDCS/CDCE, CDCAP, or Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Specialist).
Experience
- Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in operations, quality assurance, EHS, or internal audit roles.
- At least 3 years of that experience in a data center, other critical facility, manufacturing, or industrial operating environment.
- Minimum 3 years leading or managing an internal audit, quality assurance, or operational assessment program.
- Demonstrated track record designing and executing continuous improvement initiatives with measurable, documented results.
- Experience auditing against OSHA/ANSI/NFPA standards, SOC, ISO 9001/45001/14001, IATF 16949, or Uptime Institute Tier Standards is strongly preferred given the mission-critical facility environment.
- Supervisory or project leadership experience, including leading cross-functional teams without direct authority.
Skills & Core Competencies
- Strong analytical and root-cause problem-solving skills; able to synthesize audit data into clear, actionable insights.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to present findings to site staff, peers, and executive leadership with equal clarity.
- High attention to detail balanced with pragmatic judgment on risk prioritization.
- Proficiency with audit/GRC software, statistical and process tools (e.g., Minitab, Excel), and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) is a plus.
- Comfortable exercising Stop Work Authority and holding site teams accountable with professionalism and tact.
- Working knowledge of critical facility systems (electrical, mechanical, fire/life safety) is preferred.
- Self-directed, able to plan and manage a multi-site audit calendar with minimal oversight.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
- Ability to walk extended distances across large facility footprints, climb stairs and ladders, and work in mechanical/electrical rooms with variable noise and temperature.
- Occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs.
- Ability to sit, stand, and use a computer for extended periods when preparing audit reports and analysis.
Travel Requirements
- Up to 40–50% domestic travel across the Related Digital site portfolio can be required, including occasional multi-day site visits. A valid driver’s license is required; ability to travel by air and a US passport is required.
Overview:
Related Digital is a leading vertically integrated data center development and investment platform. We deliver digital infrastructure solutions to hyperscale technology companies so they can accelerate artificial intelligence and cloud computing ambitions.
Founded by Related Companies, one of the most prominent, privately-owned real estate development firms in the United States, Related Digital uniquely combines Related’s 50-year+ history of executing complex real estate and infrastructure projects with its track record in real estate investing and clean energy solutions. With a multi-billion-dollar, near-term development pipeline in the U.S., Related Digital has the expert capabilities, depth of expertise and national scale to help hyperscale companies significantly grow their data center capacity on a rapid timeframe.
Strategic Advantage:
Related Digital harnesses expertise across real estate development and investment, data center development, complex infrastructure construction and clean energy development to bring differentiated solutions to hyperscale technology companies.
National Footprint:
Related Digital is based in New York and Dallas with operations across the United States. Related Companies has offices in gateway cities across the U.S. and London, and developments in 28 states and the District of Columbia, and boasts 4,000 employees.
For information about how we use your personal information, including information submitted for career opportunities, please review our Privacy Policy at https://www.related.com/privacy-policy.
RelatedDigital #LI-RB1 #Onsite
See all 453+ H-1B Visa Director Operational Excellence Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Director Operational Excellence Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Director Operational Excellence
Align your degree to the role
USCIS scrutinizes specialty occupation status for broad management titles. Document how your degree in industrial engineering, operations management, or a related field directly supports the analytical and process-design duties in the job description.
Check LCA filings before applying
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up Labor Condition Applications filed under SOC codes for operations managers and industrial engineers. Employers with active LCA history are demonstrably willing to sponsor, which narrows your target list efficiently.
Search verified sponsors on Migrate Mate
Filter Director Operational Excellence roles by H-1B filing history on Migrate Mate so you're only applying to employers who have sponsored this level before, not companies that will stall once they learn a petition is required.
Request premium processing in your offer negotiation
Standard H-1B adjudication can run several months. At the director level, your leverage is higher than most. Ask the employer to include premium processing in the offer, which cuts USCIS decision time to 15 business days.
Verify your O*NET classification with the employer
The O*NET profile for this role sits under Industrial-Organizational or General Operations Managers. Confirm which SOC code the employer's legal team plans to use before they file the LCA, since misclassification is a common source of RFEs.
Document continuous employment during cap-gap
If you're transitioning from F-1 OPT, your cap-gap authorization extends through September 30 of the relevant fiscal year. Keep pay stubs and employer verification letters organized so you can demonstrate unbroken status if USCIS or CBP requests evidence.
H-1B Visa Director Operational Excellence: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Director Operational Excellence role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, provided the employer can show the position normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field such as industrial engineering, operations management, or business analytics. Broad titles can attract RFEs, so the job description needs to emphasize technical and analytical duties rather than general management responsibilities. A well-drafted LCA and petition letter from the employer's legal team makes a significant difference here.
Which industries sponsor H-1B visas most often for operational excellence directors?
Manufacturing, healthcare systems, logistics and supply chain, and large financial services firms have the strongest track record of H-1B sponsorship at the director level for this function. These industries rely heavily on Lean, Six Sigma, and process engineering methodologies, which anchor the specialty occupation argument. Use Migrate Mate to filter open roles by employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history in these sectors.
Can I switch employers mid-H-1B if I receive a better director-level offer?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, you can start working for a new employer as soon as they file a new I-129 petition, as long as your current H-1B is valid and you've maintained lawful status. The new employer must file before your current status expires. Because director-level transitions often involve extended offer and negotiation timelines, coordinate closely with the new employer's immigration counsel on filing dates.
What prevailing wage level should I expect for this title on an H-1B?
Director Operational Excellence roles typically fall at DOL wage levels III or IV under the relevant SOC code, reflecting supervisory and strategic scope. The employer must certify on the LCA that they'll pay at least the prevailing wage for your geographic area and job zone. You can cross-check the applicable wage using the OFLC Wage Search before accepting an offer to confirm the employer's proposed compensation is compliant.
How does a Six Sigma or Lean certification affect my H-1B petition?
Certifications like Six Sigma Black Belt or Master Black Belt strengthen the specialty occupation argument by demonstrating that the role requires specialized knowledge beyond a general management background. They don't replace the degree requirement, but USCIS looks favorably on credentials that reinforce the technical nature of the position. Include certification documentation in the petition supporting evidence package your employer's attorney prepares.