Director of Operations

Ovation Search; Frankfurt; On-site; EUR 220,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Ovation Search is partnering with a global organisation to appoint a Data Centre Operations Director for Germany. This newly created role leads the German data Centre portfolio, oversees existing facilities, mobilises new sites and drives commercial growth in one of Europe’s key markets.

You will report to the EMEA Operations Director in London and build high‑performing teams, ensure engineering excellence, compliance and customer engagement, plus manage P&L and strategic bids.

Qualifications

• Significant leadership experience within live data centre operations, ideally across a multi-site portfolio.
• Strong technical foundation in critical infrastructure, mechanical and electrical engineering and facilities operations.
• Proven financial and commercial accountability, including P&L, budgets and contract performance.
• Experience engaging directly with customers, supporting commercial bids and contributing to business growth.
• Extensive knowledge of the German data centre market, including local regulations and operational requirements.
• Ability to operate strategically while delivering operational results.
• Fluent German and English with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Germany's data centre portfolio with engineering, facilities, resilience and service delivery.
• Own German P&L and drive profitability and growth.
• Build senior customer relationships as trusted partner.
• Drive business development, bids, tenders and contract negotiations.
• Lead mobilisation and readiness for new facilities with cross‑functional teams.
• Develop high‑performing teams and a customer‑focused culture.
• Collaborate with EMEA leadership on growth and initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with German regulations for critical infrastructure.

Job description

Frankfurt preferred | German & English speaking

An exceptional opportunity to lead, develop and grow data centre operations across one of Europe's most important markets.

I am delighted to be partnering with a leading global organisation on a newly created Data Centre Operations Director appointment in Germany.

With significant growth ambitions across the region, this is a pivotal leadership position combining operational excellence, engineering expertise, commercial strategy and customer engagement.

Reporting directly to the EMEA Operations Director, based in London, you will have responsibility for the German data centre operations business, overseeing existing facilities, supporting new site mobilisation and playing a central role in its continued commercial growth.

This is far more than a traditional operational or facilities management role.

You will have the opportunity to shape and develop the German business, take ownership of its financial performance, build strong customer partnerships and contribute directly to new business opportunities.

This role

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across Germany's data centre portfolio, ensuring exceptional standards of engineering, facilities management, resilience and service delivery.
• Take ownership of the German P&L, driving financial performance, profitability, operational efficiency and sustainable growth.
• Build and develop senior customer relationships, acting as a trusted commercial and operational partner.
• Play an active role in business development, bids, tenders, contract negotiations and the expansion of existing customer accounts.
• Lead operational mobilisation and readiness for new facilities, working closely with development, construction and technical teams.
• Develop and lead high-performing teams, embedding operational excellence, accountability and a customer-focused culture.
• Work closely with the EMEA leadership team to deliver regional growth objectives and support wider business initiatives.
• Maintain a strong understanding of German regulatory requirements, compliance obligations and the complexities of operating critical infrastructure in the local market.

About you

We are looking for an established data centre operations leader who combines strong engineering and facilities management expertise with genuine commercial gravitas.

You will bring:

• Significant leadership experience within live data centre operations, ideally across a multi-site portfolio.
• A strong technical foundation in critical infrastructure, mechanical and electrical engineering and facilities operations.
• Proven financial and commercial accountability, including P&L management, budgets and contract performance.
• Experience engaging directly with customers, supporting commercial bids and contributing to business growth.
• Extensive knowledge of the German data centre market, including local regulations, compliance and operational requirements.
• The ability to operate strategically while remaining close to operational delivery.
• Fluent German and English, with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

This position will require regular travel throughout Germany, meeting customers, visiting operational sites and supporting new facilities as the business expands.

Why consider this opportunity?

This is a genuinely exciting time to join an ambitious, high-growth organisation investing significantly in its German operations.

As a newly created appointment, the role offers considerable autonomy, strategic influence and the opportunity to build and shape a business within an established global platform.

You'll work directly with an experienced EMEA leadership team, collaborating closely with colleagues in London while taking ownership of a strategically important and rapidly developing market.

For a commercially minded data centre operations leader who thrives on growth, responsibility and building something meaningful, this is an outstanding opportunity.