Senior Operations Director

Zerra Dc; Kogan; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Zerra is seeking a Senior Operations Director to lead the Kogan data centre site in Queensland, overseeing safe, reliable operations and end-to-end service delivery.

Reporting to Chief Data Centre Officer, you will unite DC operations, soft services and campus support, drive KPIs, budgets and vendor management, and ensure compliance with HSEQ standards while building a high-performing team.

Qualifications

• Extensive senior operations leadership in mission-critical facilities.
• Experience leading large multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of data centre mechanical/electrical systems.
• Proven ability to meet SLAs and KPIs in client-facing environments.
• Financial acumen including budget ownership and cost control.
• Commitment to health, safety, environment and quality compliance.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Hands-on leadership with strategic and operational balance.
• Australian driver license and ability to obtain clearances.

Responsibilities

• Hold overall accountability for safe, reliable and efficient site operations that meet customer SLAs.
• Lead the DC Operations, Soft Services and Campus Support Directors, integrating the three pillars into one aligned team.
• Oversee critical DC operations – building and facility maintenance, security and life-safety systems.
• Oversee soft services and campus support beyond the DC boundary.
• Own the site budget, forecasts and cost control, driving efficiency and value across all pillars.
• Set and report on KPIs and SLA performance, and manage the customer relationship, escalations and service releases.
• Champion HSEQ compliance and lead business continuity, incident and emergency response.
• Build and develop a high‑performing team and manage key vendors to meet standards.
• Drive continuous improvement and sustainability in support of Zerra's commitments.

Skills

Senior leadership

Data centre ops

Budget management

Vendor management

Safety compliance

Education

Tertiary qualification in engineering/ops management

Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Specialist / CDCE

PMP or PRINCE2

IFMA/IWFM certification

Job description

Job Description

Zerra develops and operates hyperscale data centre campuses across Australia, Japan and India, delivering capacity at scale into markets driven by the growth of cloud and AI. Zerra's flexible campus developments support hyperscale and neocloud organisations, enabling some of the world's fastest‑scaling technology businesses to grow with certainty and ambition.

At Zerra, we empower exceptional people to challenge convention, drive innovation and make a real impact in digital infrastructure. Our culture fuses entrepreneurial agility with global expertise, enabling our teams to deliver results that matter.

We believe that diverse perspectives, inclusive leadership and equitable opportunities are essential to building stronger teams and better outcomes. We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels respected, supported and empowered to thrive.

Zerra is part of AGP, an independently owned investor and asset manager that develops and operates real assets across the energy, digital and real estate sectors.

Western Downs Digital Park Western Downs Digital Park (WDDP) is a master‑planned digital and energy precinct in regional Queensland, developed and operated by Zerra. Planned across multiple delivery phases, WDDP brings together AI‑ready data centres, energy infrastructure and a purpose‑built campus environment.

Located close to major power infrastructure within the Western Downs Special Industry Area, WDDP represents a major investment in Queensland's digital future and an opportunity to help deliver the critical infrastructure supporting the continued growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence.

Reporting to the Chief Data Centre Officer, the Senior Operations Director leads the overall operations of Zerra's data centre site at Kogan, QLD. Holding end‑to‑end accountability for the safe, reliable and cost‑effective delivery of all operational services across the campus inline with the following:

• Uphold customer service level agreements (SLAs)
• Champion Zerra's standards for availability, safety, sustainability and service quality.
• Own the on‑site implementation and governance of Zerra’s data centre operations platform.
• Builds a high‑performing team in support of customer SLA’s
• Act as the primary operational point of contact for the customer and internal Zerra stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Hold overall accountability for safe, reliable and efficient site operations that meet customer SLAs.
• Lead the DC Operations, Soft Services and Campus Support Directors, integrating the three pillars into one aligned team.
• Oversee critical DC operations – building and facility maintenance, security and life‑safety systems within the DC boundary – to protect uptime and availability.
• Oversee soft services (grounds, cleaning, waste, pest control, administration) and campus support beyond the DC boundary (logistics and warehousing, ground transport, safety and first aid, housekeeping, canteen and accommodation).
• Own the site budget, forecasts and cost control, driving efficiency and value across all pillars.
• Set and report on KPIs and SLA performance, and manage the customer relationship, escalations and service releases.
• Champion HSEQ compliance and lead business continuity, incident and emergency response.
• Build and develop a high‑performing team and manage key vendors to meet contractual and performance standards.
• Drive continuous improvement and sustainability in support of Zerra's commitments.

Experience, Skills and Competencies

• Extensive senior operational leadership experience in mission‑critical, hyperscale or large‑scale operational engineering / facilities management environments, or comparable sectors (e.g. utilities, energy or advanced manufacturing).
• Proven track record leading large, multi‑disciplinary teams through senior direct reports, integrating technical, soft‑service and support functions into a cohesive operation.
• Strong understanding of critical facilities – mechanical and electrical infrastructure, building maintenance, security systems, and the drivers of data centre availability and uptime.
• Demonstrated experience delivering to customer SLAs and KPIs in a service‑delivery or client‑facing operational environment.
• Sound commercial and financial acumen, including budget ownership, cost control, and contract and vendor management.
• Deep commitment to health, safety, environment and quality, with practical knowledge of relevant safety legislation and compliance frameworks.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with credibility across customers, executives and frontline teams.
• Strong decision‑making and problem‑solving under pressure, including incident, emergency and business‑continuity leadership.
• Strategic mindset combined with a willingness to operate hands‑on, driving continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Tertiary qualification in engineering, facilities or operations management, business, or a related discipline.
• Recognised data centre certification (e.g. Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Specialist, CDCP/CDCE, or equivalent).
• Formal work health and safety qualification (e.g. Certificate IV in WHS or equivalent).
• Project or programme management credentials (e.g. PMP or PRINCE2).
• Facilities management accreditation (e.g. IFMA or IWFM).
• Current Australian driver's licence and the ability to obtain relevant security and background clearances.