Technical Shift Manager in West Drayton

VIRTUS Data Centres is the UK’s fastest growing data centre provider which owns, designs, builds and operates the country’s most efficient and flexible data centres. In May 2023 we announced our plans to expand into continental Europe, with our first data centre due to open in Berlin in 2026, to be quickly followed by two full campuses and expansion into other countries in the pipeline. Our purpose is to serve humanity by being an active, positive participant in the 4th industrial revolution. When we talk about our purpose, we refer to our customers’ customers; the child playing a computer game, the person watching their favourite movie, booking a medical appointment, a plane ticket, a hotel or doing their online banking; those things can’t be done if we don’t do our job. Our mission is to consistently exceed the expectations of customers through innovative, high-quality solutions and services. We employ intelligent thinkers – people with positive attitudes, who add to the quality of our customer proposition and business. We value individual endeavour and initiative and encourage teamwork and togetherness because collective experience and expertise is VIRTUS’ greatest strength.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Technical Manager, the Technical Shift Manager will support the site team on all technical plant aspects, coordinating PPM and break/fixes working between the DCM and the Facilities team (subcontracted). The scope includes Data Centre management, working closely with new and existing customers, operational continuity and the management of service delivery on the sites/campus through our specialist subcontractor who undertakes M&E and ICT tasks. Working hours: Continental shift pattern - 12-hour shifts between 6am-6pm and 6pm-6am.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Technical Resource
  • Witness all critical works on site.
  • Management of M&E tasks to ensure service delivery meets expectations.
  • Assist in scenario testing and training for the site teams.
• Site Availability
  • Maintaining zero customer downtime including any breaches to contractual SLAs and KPIs.
  • Work closely with the Service Management Centre (SMC) on the change control process, that customer communications and incident updates are being accurately reported and managed.
  • Draft post-incident reviews.
• Third Party Monitoring
  • Ensuring the management of specialist contractors, working across the Data Centres, ensuring contracted service delivery is being received, that reactive tasks are being logged and ensure work is completed to a high standard.
  • Ensuring all staff, customers and contractors’ adherence to site policies and operational processes.
• Reporting
  • Assisting in the management of the site Maximo CAFM system.
  • Work with the Technical/Operations team on weekly and monthly site reports to ensure quality updates.
• General Responsibilities
  • Ensure the provision of a safe and healthy working environment, and ensure compliance with all Company policies and procedures, as well as client site policies, procedures and working arrangements, as required.
  • A good understanding of the Health and Safety policies, procedures and best practices.
  • Out of hours on call for any emergencies.
  • Provide support and remote cover to neighbouring Data Centres if / when required.
  • Any other reasonable requests made by your line manager.

What success looks like in 12 months’ time

• Built up an extensive knowledge of the building and driving of the teams knowledge growth.
• Comprehend VIRTUS operations processes ensuring they are followed.
• Have a positive team impact and integrated within your shift team and the wider teams.
• Familiar with customer requirements and report generating.
• Develop team to work safely, effectively and with high regard to human error avoidance.

Person Specification

Experience Essential

• Experience in a Data Centre or other similar critical Management role.
• Strong and demonstrable process management experience in a live operational environment.
• Real-time Incident/fault management experience in a business-critical environment.
• Experience with business continuity, risk management, incident management and day-to-day engineering tasks.

Knowledge Essential

• Good health and safety and environmental knowledge.
• Mechanical or electrical engineering with working knowledge of BMS, PMS and fire systems.

Skills Essential

• Flexible, adaptable and innovative.
• Great team player.
• Strong ownership, accountability and sense of urgency to drive issues to conclusion.
• Good communication skills (verbal and electronic).

In line with VIRTUS’ Vetting Policy, the successful applicant must be willing to undergo a BS7858 screening process.