Technical Shift Manager

Virtus Data Centres Ltd; West Drayton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

VIRTUS Data Centres is seeking a Technical Shift Manager to support the site team across all technical plant aspects, coordinating PPM and break/fixes between the DCM and Facilities team. Continental shift pattern: 12-hour shifts 6am–6pm and 6pm–6am.

Responsibilities include management of M&E tasks, service delivery, change control liaison with SMC, and ensuring customer downtime is zero. Out-of-hours on-call support is required.

Qualifications

• Experience in a Data Centre or similar critical management role.
• Strong process management experience in live operations.
• Real-time incident/fault management in a business-critical environment.
• Experience with business continuity, risk management and day-to-day engineering tasks.

Responsibilities

• Witness all critical works on site.
• Manage M&E tasks to ensure service delivery meets expectations.
• Assist in scenario testing and training for the site teams.
• Maintain zero customer downtime and ensure SLAs/KPIs are met.
• Draft post-incident reviews.

Skills

Data centre ops

Process management

Incident management

Team leadership

Health & safety

Education

Mechanical or electrical engineering background

Job description

About VIRTUS

VIRTUS Data Centres is the UK’s fastest-growing data centre provider. We own, design, build, and operate some of the most energy-efficient, flexible, and secure data centres in Europe.

In 2023, we announced our expansion into continental Europe, starting with Berlin and Milan, with plans to grow further across the region.

At VIRTUS, we aim to be a positive force in the fourth industrial revolution—delivering innovative solutions while staying firmly rooted in our core values: Clarity & Quality, Accountability, Customer Commitment, Purposeful Innovation, and Capability & Growth.

\"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.
• Draft post-incident reviews.

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

Essential

• 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

Essential

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

Skills

Essential

• 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.