Data Centre Manager

As Kao Data embarks on an exciting phase of expansion and progress, the newly created role of Data Centre Manager will play a pivotal part in overseeing all operational facets of the data center property. This includes spearheading Data Centre Operations, Security Operations, and the Engineering Services Provider (ESP). Working in close collaboration with the Senior Technical Operations Manager and Operations Director, key responsibilities encompass the management, planning, budgeting, and supervision of all operational and capital expenditures. Duties include the approval of special billings, formulation of annual budgets, forecasts, and monthly variance reports.

Accountable to the Senior Technical Operations Manager, this critical role within the operations team entails supporting and overseeing the 24/7 activities of the Data Centre and its operational functions. Providing technical expertise and contributing to strategic planning, especially in terms of future innovations and objectives, is paramount.

Moreover, in addition to aiding the Service Operations and Compliance teams in managing stakeholder relationships, the position necessitates upholding exceptional customer service standards and ensuring the timely availability of data for monthly reports. Coordination of maintenance operations with the on-site team to promptly address any issues and cultivating positive customer relations are fundamental duties.

This pivotal role within the Operations team involves supervising continuous operations, offering technical direction, and participating in strategic planning efforts. Responsibilities also encompass managing both capital and operational budgets, supporting customer relations, and collaborating with outsourced facilities management services.

We are looking for someone who is motivated and energised to: -

• Management of all Data Centre Operations including Security, Compliance, and the Engineering Services Provider 365/24/07.
• Understand all mechanical, electrical and security infrastructure and reporting requirements to achieve 100% availability.
• Responsible for the management of all service contractors, managing against agreed SLA`s, ensuring a high standard of service is achieved and issues resolved in a timely manner.
• Manages the Engineering Services Provider, ensure the ESP supports and assist all customer requirements. Including Change Management and Incident Management Process.
• Manages the day-to-day relationship with all customers, managing and exceeding customer expectations, being the point of contact.
• Responsible for the issuing of monthly reports and timely notification of all maintenance activities. Coordinate any additional maintenance tasks with the on-site team to resolve any potential problems or issues.
• Maintains positive relationship and high retention levels with all customers. Responds to all problems and concerns and ensures compliance with rules and regulations.
• Budgetary responsibilities such as management of operational and capital expenditure budgets and reviewing possible SLA violations and potential fee exclusions to customers.
• Leadership to support the innovation and strategic vision for data centre operations and the development of the Kao Data portfolio including identifying, developing, or implementing critical metrics necessary to manage and monitor the performance of data centre operations.
• Support the Management of operations includes people leadership, recognition, performance management, and career development.
• Understands all aspects of the data centre critical physical infrastructure. Ensures that all work performed within the space is high quality and without impact to internal/external customers in accordance with Kao Data’s processes and procedures.
• Evaluates and mitigates risk on new and existing project and programmes within data centre to reduce operational risk. Working with the Service Delivery team.
• Develops opportunities for cross-team effectiveness and removes organisational barriers for strong teamwork, collaboration, and excellent service delivery.
• Available 7-24-365 to support major incidents. Fully supports incident management and response programme including participating in customer facing meetings related to operations escalations, be the second in command point of escalation.
• Kao Data is a scale up business and employees will have the opportunity to support across all functions where necessary, to ensure the future success of the company.
• Available for Sales tours and meetings, providing necessary information for prospective customers. Coordinates customer move-ins and move-outs, and “walk-through” spaces with customers.

Essential/ Desirable Requirements

• Chartered engineer or suitably qualified experience.
• Demonstrable experience in managing critical infrastructure.
• Data Centre and Operational Management experience in the outsourcing market or related technology service provider fields within mission critical environments.
• Experience in managing operations and support teams for large enterprise with FTSE 250 or Fortune 500.
• Understand P&L accountability at asset level.
• Budgetary management.
• A proven track record in demonstrating success in customer and operational service delivery.
• Track record of driving excellence and a customer centric culture within a diverse business.
• Must have an excellent customer service approach to customers. Must be able to deal effectively with service providers. Ability to work on own, self-motivating and a desire for continuous improvement.
• Strong proficiency with applications including Word, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint, MS Project, and SharePoint.

Competencies

• Customer focus - interprets clients’ needs to build working relationships and deliver service operations that exceed expectations.
• Integrity - acting in the best interest of the relevant stakeholders, including both our customers’ interests and those of Kao Data. Treating clients honestly, fairly and objectively and avoiding any practices that are or could be seen as deceptive or unfair.
• Relationship/Stakeholder management - communicates professionally and effectively at all levels (both in writing and verbally). To encompass the provision of written reports, spreadsheets, and graphs.
• Conscientiousness and focus - delivering the highest standard of quality.
• Organisational and time management skills - prioritises effectively, works systematically and delegates appropriately.
• Analysis and Judgement - assimilates, evaluates, and analyses relevant data in order to make sound business decisions. Solves problems systematically, applying a balance of intuition and logic.
• Teamwork - actively strives to achieve our common objectives through teamwork.
• Works with agility, flexibility, and innovation.
• Manages a work unit and/or group. Responsible for identifying training needs, tracking performance, coaching, and motivating direct reports. Responsible for hiring, terminating, compensation, and performance evaluation.

About Kao Data:

Launched in 2018, Kao Data develop and operate advanced data centres for high performance computing. From our hyperscale inspired campus in the heart of the UK’s Innovation Corridor between London and Cambridge - we provide HPC, cloud, AI and enterprise customers with a world class home for their compute.

Our Harlow campus - built on the site of Sir Charles Kao’s pioneering discovery of fibre optic cable in 1966 - is a development of four state-of the-art, OCP-Ready®, carrier neutral data centres. When fully completed the 15 acre, +£230m campus will support an ITE load of over 40MW, across 150,000sq ft of technical space – all powered by 100% renewable energy.

In addition to the Harlow campus we have two more facilities, one in west London, the other in Slough. Backed by Legal & General Capital, Infratil and Goldacre - Noé Group, Kao Data is one of the largest campus developments in the UK and represents the future in sustainable, efficient and scalable computing - providing an industry blueprint to develop further best-in-class data centres.

We’re now entering our next phase of growth and development and key to this is the acquisition of exceptional and experienced talent across a number of disciplines and roles. Kao Data represents an exciting opportunity to join a growing company early within our evolution, and within an industry that is showing phenomenal expansion. More information about Kao Data and the latest news updates can be found at: www.kaodata.com and on the Kao Data LinkedIn page.

Company benefits:

• Attractive Salary Package
• Discretionary bonus
• 25 Days Annual leave (excluding Bank Holidays)
• Private Healthcare
• Pension
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme - 24/7 access and support (able to access various support and wellbeing services)
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Electric car scheme

Kao Data is committed to being a successful, caring and welcoming place for all employees. We want to create a supportive and inclusive environment where our employees can reach their full potential, without prejudice and discrimination. We are committed to a culture where respect and understanding is fostered and the diversity of people's backgrounds and circumstances will be positively valued.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Bereavement leave
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance
• Sick pay

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus scheme

Application question(s):

• How many years Data Center experience do you have?

Education:

• Bachelor's (preferred)

Experience:

• Data centre: 5 years (required)

Work Location: In person