At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations for cutting-edge data centres across Europe, ensuring excellence from design to performance.
- Company: Fast-growing data centre developer backed by a leading global investment fund.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, long-term incentives, and clear career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital infrastructure and make a real impact in a rapidly scaling platform.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in data centre operations with strong customer engagement skills.
- Other info: Join a world-class team and work on major hyperscale projects across Europe.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Operations Director – Europe
Location: London or Dublin (Hybrid)
Travel: Required across EMEA
Join a fast-growing data centre developer and operator building the next generation of hyperscale facilities across Europe.
The world runs on digital infrastructure — and this business is delivering where it’s needed most. Backed by a leading global investment fund, they’re developing, building, and operating hyperscale data centres across Europe’s fastest-growing markets.
With committed capital in the billions and a pipeline of 10–15 major projects across Europe , the platform is scaling fast. Over the next 18 months, the team will grow by almost 100% across London and Dublin — building a platform capable of powering the next wave of digital growth.
The Opportunity
As Operations Director , you’ll take a hands-on role shaping how this business operates across Europe — from early-stage design input to future live site performance. You’ll be instrumental in ensuring hyperscale sites are designed and built for operational excellence from day one.
Reporting to the CFO (and interim Head of Operations), this role blends strategy and delivery. You’ll engage with customers, vendors, and partners, ensuring quality, safety, and performance are embedded throughout the development cycle.
This is an opportunity to define and build the operational function of a rapidly scaling platform — with a clear path to a future executive leadership role as the business matures.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the operational readiness strategy for the European data centre portfolio.
- Work with design and construction teams to embed operational best practice during development, not retrospectively.
- Develop policies, procedures, and accreditation frameworks across all sites.
- Manage customer technical assessments and ensure SLAs and compliance standards are met.
- Oversee relationships with vendors and partners, optimising equipment selection, warranties, and lifecycle service contracts.
- Support decisions on outsourcing vs in-house delivery.
- Build and lead a small core operations team, with Data Centre Managers on each site reporting in as sites go live.
- Ensure health & safety, risk management, and sustainability are integral across operations.
About You
We’re looking for a pragmatic, commercially minded operator — someone who can bridge technical depth with clear communication and judgement.
You’ll bring:
- 10+ years’ experience in data centre operations or critical infrastructure, ideally with direct hyperscale experience or within operator/developers working with hyperscale customers .
- Experience engaging directly with customers and vendors at a senior level.
- A track record of operational setup, quality systems, and accreditation delivery.
- Private equity or fund-backed experience and strong cost-awareness.
- Ability to explain complex operational decisions clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
- Collaborative mindset with a hands-on, team-first approach.
What’s on Offer
- Competitive compensation package with a strong long-term incentive linked to platform performance.
- Opportunity to join a world-class team of experienced operators at an early growth stage.
- Exposure to major hyperscale projects across Europe, working directly with investors and customers.
- Clear career progression — this role has the potential to evolve into an executive-level position within the next few years.
Interested?
Contact us in confidence to learn more about this opportunity.
Director of Operations employer: DataX Connect
Contact Detail:
DataX Connect Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Operations
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Ace the Informational Interview
Set up informal chats with folks already working in operations or data centres. This is your chance to learn the ropes and get insider tips. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the field, which can make a great impression!
✨Showcase Your Skills
When you get the chance to meet potential employers, be ready to talk about your past experiences and how they relate to the role. Bring examples of your work, especially those that highlight your operational excellence and strategic thinking. We want to see how you can add value!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website for the best chance at landing that Operations Director role! It’s the easiest way for us to see your application and get you in front of the right people. Let’s make it happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Director role. Highlight your experience in data centre operations and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
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 role. Share specific examples of your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As an Operations Director, leadership is key. In your application, emphasise your experience in building and leading teams, as well as your ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels. We love a collaborative mindset!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at DataX Connect
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of data centre operations, especially in a hyperscale context. Brush up on your knowledge of operational best practices, compliance standards, and how to effectively manage vendor relationships. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare to discuss how you’ve successfully blended strategy with delivery in your previous roles. Think of examples where you’ve led operational readiness strategies or developed policies that improved efficiency. This will highlight your ability to think critically and strategically, which is crucial for the Operations Director role.
✨Engage with Real Scenarios
Be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios related to operational challenges. For instance, how would you approach a situation where SLAs are not being met? This shows your problem-solving skills and your ability to communicate complex decisions clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
✨Emphasise Your Collaborative Approach
This role requires a hands-on, team-first mindset. Prepare to share examples of how you’ve built and led teams in the past, particularly in high-pressure environments. Highlighting your collaborative spirit will resonate well with the interviewers, as they’re looking for someone who can foster a strong operational culture.