Technical Shift Manager

VIRTUS Data Centres; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading data centre provider in the United Kingdom is seeking a Technical Shift Manager. This role involves supporting the technical site team, ensuring operational continuity and service delivery across data centre sites. Candidates should have experience in critical management roles, incident management, and engineering knowledge. The position also requires flexibility and strong communication skills. The role operates on a continental shift pattern, providing opportunities for professional growth in a rapidly expanding company.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Data Centre or similar critical Management role.
• Strong process management experience in a live operational environment.
• Real-time Incident/fault management experience in a business-critical environment.
• Mechanical or electrical engineering knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Support site team on all technical plant aspects.
• Ensure zero customer downtime and manage service delivery.
• Manage specialist contractors and ensure service standards.

Skills

Flexible, adaptable and innovative

Great team player

Strong ownership and accountability

Good communication skills

Job description

VIRTUS Data Centres is one of Europe’s fastest-growing and most trusted data centre providers, with a strong heritage in the UK and a rapidly expanding presence across continental Europe. We design, build, own, and operate highly energy-efficient, scalable, and secure data centres that support the digital infrastructure of global organisations.

Founded in the UK, VIRTUS has established a leading position in key London availability zones and continues to invest heavily in the UK market. Following our strategic expansion into continental Europe in 2023, including the launch of our first campuses in Berlin, we are continuing to grow our footprint across major European markets through 2026 and beyond.

Our ambition is to be a driving force in the fourth industrial revolution, delivering innovative and sustainable digital infrastructure solutions while remaining true to our core values: Care, Helpful, Pride, Reliability, and Dedication.

"This is a pooled job posting, as we continuously seek talented individuals for this role throughout the year. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and we will reach out to suitable candidates as opportunities arise."

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.

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

• 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

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

Skills

• 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.