At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global programmes, ensuring smooth onboarding of new data centre sites onto our platforms.
- Company: Join Digital Realty, a leader in data centre solutions with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, excellent benefits, and a supportive environment for growth.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to safety and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic industry while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Your role will provide strategic leadership for complex global programmes on behalf of the Global Operations department, with accountability for the governance, execution, and operational readiness activities required to onboard new sites (data centers) onto DLR’s suite of platforms and processes. This role sets the direction for programme delivery, drives cross-functional alignment, manages executive-level stakeholder engagement, and ensures consistent delivery standards across regions. The Director will partner closely with senior leaders, functional teams, and key stakeholders to advance Global Operations priorities, strengthen operational excellence, and enable scalable, repeatable delivery across the portfolio.
What You’ll Do
- Set the strategic direction for global Operations PMO programmes, including the end-to-end governance and delivery approach for onboarding new sites onto DLR’s processes and platforms, ensuring alignment with Global Operations priorities and executive expectations.
- Oversee portfolio and programme planning, including scope, budget, timelines, resource strategy, risk management, quality controls, and interdependency management across multiple regions and functions.
- Serve as a senior point of escalation and trusted advisor for programme-related matters, influencing executives, business sponsors, regional leaders, and cross-functional stakeholders to drive decisions and remove barriers.
- Anticipate and resolve strategic risks, issues, and dependencies that may impact delivery, operational readiness, financial performance, or business outcomes.
- Provide leadership, direction, and coaching to programme and project teams, fostering accountability, collaboration, high performance, and consistent delivery discipline.
- Own executive governance and reporting for the portfolio, including delivery performance, financial status, operational readiness, key risks, and decision points for senior leadership.
- Lead continuous improvement of the Operations PMO function by strengthening delivery frameworks, governance standards, lessons learned, and scalable best practices across the global portfolio.
What You’ll Need
- Bachelor’s degree in business, IT, engineering, or related field; PMP or equivalent certification preferred.
- Solid experience of progressive programme, portfolio, or PMO leadership experience, including experience leading large-scale, global initiatives in data centers, IT infrastructure, operations, or similarly complex environments.
- Deep expertise in programme, portfolio, and project management methodologies, governance frameworks, and tools, with the ability to establish standards and drive adoption across teams.
- Proven ability to lead multi-million-dollar, multi-phase programmes with significant cross-functional dependencies, executive visibility, and regional or global impact.
- Exceptional leadership, stakeholder management, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills, with the confidence to influence senior leaders and drive accountability.
- Strong strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and business acumen, with the ability to connect programme delivery to operational, financial, and customer outcomes.
- Excellent executive communication skills, including the ability to simplify complex information, present clear recommendations, and influence decisions at all levels of the organisation.
About Us
Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL, the company’s global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data meeting place and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges. Digital Realty gives its customers access to the connected data communities that matter to them with a global data center footprint of 300+ facilities in 50+ metros across 25+ countries on six continents.
What We Can Offer You
Our rapidly evolving business sector offers the opportunity to be part of a courageous and passionate team who work together to understand and meet the changing needs of our global customers. Join us and you’ll be part of a supportive and inclusive environment where you can bring your whole self to work. As part of our team, you’ll get to work with people from different business areas, challenge the way we do things and put your ideas into action. We’ll also give you plenty of development opportunities so you can build a rewarding and successful career with us.
Training and Development
Join our Data Center Operations team and gain the support to succeed from day one. Our onboarding program prepares you to contribute meaningfully right away, with clear career pathways and continuous training to fuel your long-term growth. From onboarding to specialized development, we equip you with the skills and opportunities to make a lasting impact in operations.
Safely Powering Progress
Safety isn’t just a priority here at Digital; it’s critical to everything we do. Safeguarding lives, protecting assets, and securing data aren’t just ideals - they’re essential pillars of our commitment to excellence for our people, our partners and our customers. We have a culture of care where every member of Team Digital embraces a relentless pursuit of working safely across Digital Realty. Together we are Safely Powering Progress.
Our Compensation Philosophy
Digital Realty offers its employees a highly competitive compensation package, excellent benefits, and an environment that recognizes and rewards your contributions. Central to our compensation philosophy is rewarding our employees for achieving the values and objectives aligned to the company’s overall goals and values.
Operations Program Director employer: Digital Realty
Digital Realty is an exceptional employer that fosters a supportive and inclusive work culture, allowing employees to bring their whole selves to work. With a focus on professional development and a commitment to recognising contributions, employees can thrive in their careers while collaborating with diverse teams to meet the evolving needs of global customers. Located in a dynamic business sector, Digital Realty offers competitive compensation and benefits, making it an attractive place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Program Director
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Operations Program Director at Digital Realty!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Digital Realty or be willing to refer you for that Operations Program Director position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Digital Realty who’s on the lookout for their next Operations Program Director star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Operations Program Director role at Digital Realty!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Program Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Digital Realty. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Digital Realty
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Digital Realty. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
