Head of Data Centre & Critical Facilities Operations in London
Head of Data Centre & Critical Facilities Operations

Head of Data Centre & Critical Facilities Operations in London

London Full-Time 72000 - 108000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead strategic management of EMEA data centre operations and ensure operational excellence.
  • Company: A leading global financial institution with a focus on innovation and compliance.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to shape critical infrastructure.
  • Why this job: Make a significant impact on mission-critical environments in a highly regulated industry.
  • Qualifications: Extensive experience in data centre operations and knowledge of regulatory standards.
  • Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to resilience and operational integrity.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.

A leading global financial institution is seeking an experienced Head of Data Centre & Critical Facilities Operations to lead the strategic management and operational performance of its EMEA data centre estate. This is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring the resilience, availability, and compliance of mission-critical infrastructure environments supporting the bank’s core technology platforms. The successful candidate will provide strategic oversight of data centre operations, facilities management, infrastructure resilience, and vendor governance across multiple sites. Operating within a highly regulated environment, the role will ensure that the bank’s data centre facilities and supporting infrastructure meet the highest standards of operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and service availability.

The Head of Data Centre & Critical Facilities Operations will be responsible for the leadership, governance, and operational management of all EMEA data centre environments and associated equipment rooms. Working closely with technology leadership, facilities management providers, and infrastructure teams, the role will ensure that critical infrastructure including power, cooling, environmental monitoring, telecommunications connectivity, and structured cabling operate reliably and efficiently. The role will also drive long-term capacity planning, resilience strategy and operational best practices across the organisation’s data centre estate.

Duties:

  • Provide strategic leadership for the bank’s EMEA data centre and critical facilities operations.
  • Ensure the resilience, availability, and operational integrity of mission-critical infrastructure environments.
  • Oversee the management of power, cooling, environmental monitoring, and other critical facilities systems across the data centre estate.
  • Lead operational governance across data centre activities, including equipment installation, moves/adds/changes, remote hands, and infrastructure decommissioning.
  • Develop and implement long-term capacity planning strategies covering power, cooling and space utilisation.
  • Manage relationships with facilities management providers and specialist infrastructure vendors.
  • Ensure operational procedures and governance controls are maintained across all data centre environments.
  • Lead disaster recovery planning and testing across critical infrastructure environments.
  • Ensure infrastructure environments meet regulatory and audit requirements, including Sarbanes-Oxley Act and SOC 1.
  • Maintain accurate asset and infrastructure inventory across the data centre estate.
  • Oversee the design, installation, and commissioning of infrastructure, including equipment rooms and structured cabling environments.
  • Coordinate the delivery and resilience of telecommunications circuits supporting critical infrastructure.

Experience required:

  • Significant experience leading enterprise data centre and critical facilities operations.
  • Experience operating within financial services or other highly regulated industries.

Head of Data Centre & Critical Facilities Operations in London employer: Church International

As a leading global financial institution, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee growth and development. Our commitment to operational excellence is matched by our dedication to providing comprehensive benefits and a supportive culture, making us an exceptional employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the data centre and critical facilities operations sector. Join us in our EMEA locations, where you will have the opportunity to lead innovative projects and collaborate with top-tier professionals in a highly regulated and rewarding industry.
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Contact Detail:

Church International Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Data Centre & Critical Facilities Operations in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream role.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its data centre operations. Understand their challenges and think about how your experience can solve them. We want you to walk into that interview room with confidence, ready to showcase your expertise in critical facilities management.

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. It shows initiative and keeps you fresh in their minds, which is exactly what we want!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team. Let’s make it happen together!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Data Centre & Critical Facilities Operations in London

Strategic Leadership
Operational Management
Data Centre Operations
Facilities Management
Infrastructure Resilience
Vendor Governance
Regulatory Compliance
Capacity Planning
Disaster Recovery Planning
Environmental Monitoring
Telecommunications Connectivity
Power and Cooling Management
Audit Requirements Knowledge
Asset Management
Technical Infrastructure Design

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Data Centre & Critical Facilities Operations. Highlight your experience in managing data centre operations and any relevant achievements that showcase your leadership skills in a regulated environment.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this senior leadership role. Mention specific examples of how you've ensured resilience and compliance in previous positions, and don’t forget to show your passion for the industry.

Showcase Relevant Experience: When filling out your application, be sure to emphasise your significant experience in enterprise data centre operations. Include details about your work with power, cooling, and environmental monitoring systems, as well as your ability to manage vendor relationships effectively.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status!

How to prepare for a job interview at Church International

✨Know Your Infrastructure Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of data centre operations, especially around power, cooling, and environmental monitoring. Brush up on the latest technologies and best practices in resilience strategy and operational excellence to impress your interviewers.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a senior role, they’ll be looking for strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams, managed vendor relationships, and driven operational governance in previous roles. Be ready to discuss your approach to capacity planning and disaster recovery.

✨Understand Regulatory Requirements

Familiarise yourself with key regulations like the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and SOC 1. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve ensured compliance in past positions and how you would maintain these standards in their highly regulated environment.

✨Prepare Questions That Matter

Think about insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in their operations and challenges. Ask about their current infrastructure strategies, how they handle vendor governance, or what their biggest challenges are in maintaining operational integrity across multiple sites.

Head of Data Centre & Critical Facilities Operations in London
Church International
Location: London

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