At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting OT projects in live data centres, ensuring smooth upgrades and improvements.
- Company: Join VIRTUS, the UK's fastest-growing data centre provider with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel to data centres and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the tech world while working with cutting-edge operational technology.
- Qualifications: Technical background in Operational Technology and project management experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
About VIRTUS
VIRTUS Data Centres is the UK’s fastest-growing data centre provider.
We own, design, build, and operate some of the most energy-efficient, flexible, and secure data centres in Europe.
In 2023, we announced our expansion into continental Europe, starting with Berlin and Milan, with plans to grow further across the region.
At VIRTUS, we aim to be a positive force in the fourth industrial revolution—delivering innovative solutions while staying firmly rooted in our core values: Clarity & Quality, Accountability, Customer Commitment, Purposeful Innovation, and Capability & Growth.
Job Summary
As an Operational Technology (OT) Technical Project Manager, you will be responsible for the end-to‑end delivery of OT upgrade, lifecycle and improvement projects across live data centre environments.
You will ensure all OT systems are delivered safely, with minimal operational risk and transitioned cleanly into live operation.
You will provide project leadership across OT platforms including BMS, PMS, CCTV, Access Control and associated OT infrastructure while coordinating vendor activity and ensuring alignment with change management, commissioning and documentation standards.
Duties and Responsibilities
The role includes but is not limited to the following
- OT Upgrade & Lifecycle Delivery
- Deliver OT upgrade, lifecycle and improvement projects from initiation through commissioning and operational handover in live data centre environments.
- Develop and maintain project plans, schedules and implementation windows that minimise operational risk.
- Coordinate upgrade activities across multiple sites, systems, vendors and internal teams.
- Ensure clear rollback, contingency and recovery plans are defined, understood and validated before any changes are implemented.
- Technical Oversight and Assurance
- Provide technical oversight across BMS, PMS, CCTV, Access Control and associated OT infrastructure.
- Review and challenge technical designs, engineering documentation and vendor implementation approaches.
- Ensure project delivery aligns with OT standards, architectural requirements and operational constraints.
- Validate that system performance, resilience and stability meet expectations following project execution.
- Vendor and Stakeholder Management
- Manage OT vendors, contractors and systems integrators to ensure work is delivered to scope, quality and timeline requirements.
- Coordinate site access, work sequencing and communications with Data Centre Operations, Facilities Management, IT Operations and Security.
- Monitor and report on vendor performance, addressing issues or variances promptly.
- Governance, Risk and Change Control
- Ensure all project activity complies with established change management, commissioning and handover processes.
- Own project level risk assessments, method statements and implementation plans.
- Identify, elevate and track risks or issues that could impact operational stability or service availability.
- Commissioning and Handover
- Lead testing, commissioning and acceptance activities following OT project delivery.
- Ensure all project documentation is complete, accurate and aligned with operational standards.
- Confirm that systems are operationally ready, supportable and fully handed over to the appropriate teams.
- Reporting and Communication
- Provide clear and timely updates on project progress, risks, issues and decisions.
- Maintain thorough documentation and records that support audit, compliance and assurance requirements.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- A technical or operational background relevant to Operational Technology (OT) environments.
- Practical training or learning related to OT systems, controls, automation or technical project delivery.
- Ongoing professional development gained through hands‑on experience, training or industry learning.
- Highly Desirable
- Experience delivering projects within Operational Technology (OT) environments.
- Exposure to live operational or critical infrastructure environments, such as Data Centres, utilities or industrial sites.
- Familiarity with OT systems including BMS, PMS, CCTV, Access Control or similar platforms.
- Experience working with OT vendors and system integrators.
Experience
- Proven experience delivering OT upgrade, lifecycle or technically complex projects in live operational environments.
- Experience planning and coordinating work in environments where availability, safety and risk management are critical.
- Practical experience managing project delivery alongside operations, engineering teams and external suppliers.
- Experience overseeing testing, commissioning and handover activities.
Skills
- Strong practical understanding of Operational Technology systems and environments.
- Ability to assess, challenge and validate technical designs and delivery approaches.
- Effective project planning, coordination and delivery management skills.
- Clear and confident communication with technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
- Risk aware decision making and the ability to remain calm and structured in live operational environments.
- Awareness of OT cybersecurity principles, including secure system design, access control, network segregation and risk management within live operational environments.
- Additional Information
- This is a hybrid role, with regular travel to data centres based around London and occasional travel into central London required.
- This role comes with an on‑call element, which will require the post holder to participate in an out‑of‑hours on‑call escalation rota.
- In line with VIRTUS’ Vetting Policy, the successful applicant must be willing to undergo a BS7858 screening process.
- Equal Opportunity Statement
VIRTUS is an equal opportunity employer.
As part of our commitment to fight for equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process.
We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.
We reserve the right to close this post for applications should sufficient applications be received.
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We think you need these skills to ace Technical Project manager - (Operational Technology (OT) in West Drayton
Some tips for your application 🫡
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In the automation control systems field, you need to brush up on your technical know-how. Be prepared to talk about specific control systems you’ve worked with, such as PLCs or SCADA systems, and expect technical questions or even hands-on problem-solving scenarios during the interview.
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