CyrusOne to Bring US Data Center Operations In-House, Ending JLL Outsourcing Deal
May 7, 2026
CyrusOne to Bring US Data Center Operations In-House, Ending JLL Outsourcing Deal
US data center operator CyrusOne is transitioning a significant portion of its on-site operational roles from outsourcing partner JLL to in-house employees, marking a strategic shift in how the company manages its facilities amid rapid industry growth. The move, announced this week, reflects a broader trend among data center operators seeking greater control over operations as demand for digital infrastructure surges.
Owned by private equity firms KKR and Global Infrastructure Partners, CyrusOne operates more than 50 data centers across the US and Europe, with dozens of facilities in Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, New York/New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, Washington, and Texas. The company will bring on-site operational roles currently supported by JLL under the existing outsourcing agreement directly into its own workforce. Impacted JLL employees will have the opportunity to apply for positions with CyrusOne, and the company expects the “vast majority” to transition. The process is expected to be completed by August.
CyrusOne declined to specify how many roles are affected, but noted that a “small portion” of the impacted workforce is unionized. The company said it “fully expects” to honor existing collective bargaining agreements and “maintain a strong and constructive relationship” with those unions. Rob Johnson, CyrusOne’s chief business officer, said JLL had been an “incredibly strong partner for the last four years and done a great job for us,” but the decision to bring operations in-house came as the current contract was up for renewal. “This change is bringing the teams that are already supporting our facilities closer to the CyrusOne organization,” Johnson said. “These are the same individuals who are performing the work today, at the same sites.” He added: “During this period of growth, we see operation as a competitive differentiator. This transition allows us to create a more direct operating model, clearer accountability, and consistency on how we deliver services.”
Despite the shift, CyrusOne and JLL will continue to collaborate, with JLL supporting certain back-office functions. Matt Landek, global division president for data centers and critical environments at JLL, said: “We’re thrilled that CyrusOne continues to leverage JLL’s global scale and deep data center expertise to support their operations while the industry experiences unprecedented growth. As AI reshapes digital infrastructure, data centers have become one of the most dynamic and critical sectors, and JLL is proud to partner with industry leaders like CyrusOne to help build the foundation for tomorrow’s economy.” The transition underscores how data center operators are rethinking their operational models to maintain quality and control as the market expands, particularly under the influence of AI-driven demand.
Source: datacenterdynamics
