Data Centre Manager

About VIRTUS 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 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 European locations. With a strong UK foundation and a rapidly expanding European presence, we design, build, own, and operate resilient, secure, and energy‑efficient data centres for some of the world’s leading organisations.

Job Summary Reporting to the Cluster Director, the Data Centre Manager (DCM) is responsible for the day‑to‑day management and successful operation of the site. The scope includes Data Centre Management, customer implementations, operational continuity, reporting, and the day‑to‑day management of the VIRTUS team and third‑party contractors.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Technical Resource
• Facilities Management – Managing FM Provider, Health & Safety and Compliance
• Responsible Operations
• Financial Budgeting
• Site‑level Procurement
• Site Risk Management
• Supports ensuring all Emergency Operating Procedures (EOPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Method of Operations (MOP) are in place and accurate for the site(s); provides assistance for other sites including peer review
• Responsible for critical infrastructure asset management and asset lifecycle
• Audit aware and support frequent audit process
• Capacity management including power, floor space and assistance with forecasting loadings
• Change management approval – site‑level responsibility
• Support the FM team with Incident and Problem management
• Managing new and existing customer requirements (site tours, reporting and service reviews etc.)
• Responsible for day‑to‑day operations and customer requirements including small projects
• Participation on Data Centre scenario testing, track and log issues with any lessons learned
• Responsible for managing the internal cabling (and external carrier fibres brought into the building) to a high standard
• Manage equipment lifecycle – budgeting, technical feasibility, critical spares, operational risk reduction and improvement planning
• Site Availability
• All activities focused on zero downtime and adequate risk analysis and mitigation
• Awareness of customer contractual SLA’s and KPI’s
• Responsible for managing and escalating any potential customer‑affecting issues
• DCM is part of the incident response process and may be required to respond out of hours
• Third Party Monitoring
• Supports the day‑to‑day performance management of FM Service Provider ensuring all sub‑vendors work is completed to a high standard
• Team Management
• Create a positive, team‑work focused environment on site, including with FM and third‑party providers, encourage cross‑departmental collaborative working and lead by example
• Actively manage and coach direct reports, creating opportunities to share knowledge and continuous improvement
• Attend site in the event of unplanned circumstances where required
• Ensure the team knows the correct escalation processes for all issues
• Planned Preventative Maintenance
• Validate all PPM’s are completed on time, managing any faults or advisories that have been reported are logged and tracked through to completion
• Reporting
• Assist with monthly reporting on customer power usage, PUE, capacity, trackers, board packs and ensuring all information is correct and delivered on time
• Quality updates for the daily call and attendance at weekly / monthly service review, maintenance and construction meetings
• General Responsibilities
• Ensure 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
• Ensure the Data Centre is visually kept to a high standard at all times
• Any other reasonable requests made by your line manager.

Normal working hours are Monday to Friday, with the requirement to participate in the escalation management on‑call rota and working out‑of‑hours, to oversee critical work and manage the escalation of serious issues on sites.

Person Specification

• Experience in a Data Centre or other similar critical management role
• Experience of managing a team and ability to create and maintain a positive team environment
• Strong and demonstrable process management and development experience in a live operational environment
• Extensive real‑time Incident / Fault management experience in a business‑critical environment
• Managing third‑party suppliers to deliver against stringent SLA’s
• Financial and budget management
• Good understanding of Health and Safety, ISO standards, and compliance, BMS, PMS, fire systems, knowledge of Data Centre Customer installations, such as racks, HAC, cabling, cross‑connects, power, testing and customer acceptance
• Customer ticket logging systems – MAXIMO and ServiceNow desired
• Attention to detail with high personal standards and the desire to complete tasks on time

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. 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 are committed to an inclusive work environment.