H-1B Visa Operational Excellence Manager Jobs
Operational Excellence Manager roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, business, or a related field. Employers in manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics regularly file LCAs for this title. No lottery exemptions apply, so timing your job search around the April cap season matters.
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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 445+ H-1B Visa Operational Excellence Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Operational Excellence Manager Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as an Operational Excellence Manager
Verify your degree aligns with the role
USCIS requires your degree field to directly relate to Operational Excellence management. Industrial engineering, operations management, or business degrees typically qualify. A general management degree may trigger an RFE if the employer's LCA doesn't clearly connect your field to the role's duties.
Target employers with active LCA filings
Search the OFLC Wage Search by SOC code 11-1021 to identify companies that have recently certified LCAs for operations or general management roles. Repeat filers signal an established sponsorship pipeline, which reduces your risk of an employer backing out mid-process.
Use Migrate Mate to filter H-1B sponsor employers
Filter your search on Migrate Mate by employers with verified H-1B filing history for Operational Excellence and process improvement roles. This saves hours of manual DOL disclosure lookups and surfaces companies already comfortable with the sponsorship process.
Negotiate offer timing around the cap calendar
H-1B cap petitions are filed in April for an October 1 start. If you receive an offer in June, your employer can't file until the following April. Clarify start dates and bridge authorization, like OPT cap-gap, during offer negotiations to avoid a 16-month gap.
Document your process improvement outcomes quantitatively
USCIS adjudicators scrutinize whether Operational Excellence Manager roles truly require a specialized degree. Employer support letters that cite measurable outcomes, such as cycle time reductions or defect rate improvements, strengthen the specialty occupation case alongside your credentials.
Confirm the employer's prevailing wage tier before signing
DOL assigns Operational Excellence Manager roles to a wage level based on complexity and supervision. Check the OFLC Wage Search for your work location's Level I through Level IV range. An offer below the certified LCA wage can delay or invalidate your petition.
H-1B Visa Operational Excellence Manager: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Operational Excellence Manager role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, provided the employer can demonstrate the position normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field such as industrial engineering, operations management, or a closely related discipline. Generic management duties without a defined degree requirement can draw an RFE from USCIS, so the job description and offer letter must clearly articulate the theoretical and practical application of that specialized knowledge.
Which industries most commonly sponsor H-1B visas for this role?
Manufacturing, healthcare systems, logistics, and large financial services firms file the most LCAs for Operational Excellence and continuous improvement roles. These industries run formal Lean or Six Sigma programs that require dedicated managers, making the specialty occupation argument straightforward. You can browse verified sponsoring employers across these sectors on Migrate Mate.
How does my Six Sigma or Lean certification affect H-1B eligibility?
Professional certifications like Six Sigma Black Belt or Lean Master strengthen your petition but don't substitute for a qualifying bachelor's degree. USCIS evaluates specialty occupation based on the role's degree requirement, not the applicant's certifications alone. Certifications are most useful in the employer's support letter, where they help explain why the position demands specialized knowledge beyond general management experience.
Can my employer file my H-1B petition before I finish my OPT?
Yes, and timing this correctly is critical. Your employer should file the H-1B cap petition in April while you're still on OPT. If your OPT expires before October 1, the cap-gap rule automatically extends your work authorization through September 30, provided your employer filed before your OPT end date and your F-1 status remains valid. Confirm the exact cap-gap coverage with your DSO.
What SOC code do employers typically use when filing an LCA for this role?
Most employers file under SOC code 11-9199 (Managers, All Other) or 13-1082 (Project Management Specialists) for Operational Excellence Manager positions, depending on whether the role emphasizes people management or process project work. The O*NET profile for the relevant SOC code describes the typical duties and education requirements, which employers use to support the specialty occupation classification in the LCA and I-129 petition.