Chief Operating Officer - Data Centre Operations in London

Chief Operating Officer - Data Centre Operations in London

London Full-Time 80000 - 120000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead operations of multiple data centre sites, ensuring top-notch uptime and service delivery.
  • Company: Join a leading tech firm focused on operational excellence in data centre management.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership opportunities, and a chance to drive sustainability initiatives.
  • Other info: High-impact role with opportunities for continuous improvement and career growth.
  • Why this job: Make a significant impact on critical infrastructure and champion energy efficiency.
  • Qualifications: Extensive experience in data centre operations and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.

We’re seeking a senior operations leader to take full ownership of live data centre environments across a large-scale, multi-site portfolio. This role is focused on operational excellence post-construction, ensuring the highest levels of uptime, resilience, and performance across critical infrastructure. You’ll lead facilities management across a regional platform, overseeing assets exceeding 100MW in capacity.

Key responsibilities

  • Lead operations across multiple live data centre sites, ensuring consistent uptime and service delivery.
  • Take full ownership of critical facilities infrastructure, including power, cooling, and associated systems.
  • Drive reliability and performance of all M&E assets through best-in-class maintenance and operational practices.
  • Oversee capacity utilisation and forward planning within existing live environments.
  • Manage and optimise operational expenditure, with accountability for budgets and cost efficiency.
  • Own vendor management strategy, including FM providers and specialist contractors.
  • Ensure SLA adherence for hyperscale and enterprise customers.
  • Implement and maintain operational frameworks including SOPs, incident response, change management, and risk mitigation.
  • Lead compliance, audits, and certifications (ISO standards, regulatory requirements).
  • Partner cross-functionally with engineering, development, and commercial teams to support ongoing improvements and upgrades.
  • Champion energy efficiency, sustainability, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Your background

  • Extensive experience operating live, mission-critical data centre environments.
  • Proven leadership across multi-site or regional portfolios (ideally 100MW+).
  • Strong technical grounding in mechanical & electrical infrastructure.
  • Deep understanding of uptime, resilience, and facilities management in critical environments.
  • Experience managing vendors and outsourced FM models.
  • Financial ownership including budgeting and cost optimisation.
  • Familiarity with ITIL, compliance frameworks, and operational governance.

The opportunity

A high-impact leadership role with full responsibility for operational performance across a significant data centre platform. You’ll play a key role in maintaining world-class uptime while driving efficiency and continuous improvement at scale.

Chief Operating Officer - Data Centre Operations in London employer: Core Search

Core Search is an excellent employer for those looking to make a significant impact in the data centre sector. With a strong focus on employee development and a collaborative work culture, we offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and ample opportunities for career advancement in the thriving UK market. Join us to be part of innovative projects that shape the future of technology while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions.

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Contact Details:

Core Search Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Chief Operating Officer - Data Centre Operations in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that COO role.

Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise! Prepare to discuss your experience in managing data centre operations and how you've driven performance improvements. We want to hear about your successes and how you’ve tackled challenges head-on.

Tip Number 3

Be ready for the tough questions! Brush up on your knowledge of compliance frameworks and operational governance. We’re looking for someone who can confidently navigate these areas and demonstrate their leadership skills.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. We’re excited to see how you can contribute to our mission of operational excellence in data centre management.

We think you need these skills to ace Chief Operating Officer - Data Centre Operations in London

Operational Excellence
Facilities Management
Critical Infrastructure Management
Power and Cooling Systems
Maintenance Best Practices
Capacity Utilisation
Budget Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Chief Operating Officer in Data Centre Operations. Highlight your experience with live data centre environments and any leadership roles you've held, especially in multi-site operations.

Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics to demonstrate how you’ve improved uptime, reduced costs, or enhanced operational efficiency in previous roles.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Explain why you’re passionate about data centre operations and how your background aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. Make it personal and engaging!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!

How to prepare for a job interview at Core Search

Know Your Data Centre Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the specific data centre operations relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with key concepts like uptime, resilience, and facilities management. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.

Showcase Your Leadership Experience

Prepare to discuss your previous leadership roles, especially those involving multi-site operations. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven operational excellence and managed teams effectively. Highlight any experience with budgets and vendor management to show you're equipped for financial ownership.

Emphasise Continuous Improvement

Talk about your approach to continuous improvement and energy efficiency initiatives. Companies are keen on candidates who can champion sustainability and operational enhancements. Bring examples of past projects where you've implemented best practices or improved performance metrics.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect technical questions related to mechanical and electrical infrastructure. Brush up on your knowledge of critical systems like power and cooling. Being able to discuss these topics fluently will set you apart as a candidate who understands the complexities of data centre operations.