Group Manager Data Centre

Digital Realty; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Digital Realty is seeking a Data Center Group Manager in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The role requires over 10 years of senior management experience in mission-critical operations, particularly in multi-site data centers. Responsibilities include ensuring effective maintenance strategies, managing Health & Safety compliance, and engaging with customers during critical situations. A strong background in data center infrastructure and financial acumen is essential. This role offers the opportunity to lead operations and develop teams in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in senior management within mission-critical operations, preferably multi-site data centers.
• Strong knowledge of core data center infrastructure including UPS systems and cooling towers.
• Advanced ITIL knowledge with practical application in incident, problem, and change management.

Responsibilities

• Ensure effective preventive and corrective maintenance across data centers.
• Accountable for Health & Safety performance and compliance with standards.
• Represent Operations with customers and handle issues during critical situations.

Skills

Leadership

Data Center Operations

Financial Acumen

ITIL Knowledge

Root Cause Analysis

Preventive Measures

Education

Master’s or Bachelor's in Engineering or Business Administration

Job description

Job Description

The Data Center Group Manager ensures effective preventive and corrective maintenance, incident & problem management, and adherence to all Digital Realty processes, policies, and work instructions. The role carries full responsibility for people leadership across all direct and indirect staff in the Maintain & Operate organization.

• Accountable for all preventive & corrective maintenance, incident management, and problem management across all assigned data centers.
• Translate strategic operational objectives into executable plans for groups of sites.
• Ensure SLA performance, operational efficiency, and full compliance with standards.
• Provide input to strategic country-level plans (capacity, lifecycle, energy, staffing).
• Lead and develop all managers and teams within Maintain & Operate.
• Accountable for Health & Safety performance across all assigned data centers, ensuring required practices and reporting are implemented and maintained in line with the company’s global H&S vision and standards.
• Responsible for aligning and upholding the principles outlined in the H&S Strategy, adhering to the ISO safety standards and continuous improvement through lessons learned.
• Accountable for cost control at site and cluster level (OPEX and CAPEX assigned to operations).
• Responsible for ensuring budgets are managed in line with yearly financial targets and objectives, under the direction of Finance and Group Manager Market Operations or Director Operations, with proactive
• Responsible for representing Operations with customers, auditors, and suppliers, while escalating to the Group Manager Market Operations or Director Operations when issues are strategic or reputational.
• Accountable for SLA delivery across sites and ensuring consistent performance across all assigned data centers.
• Responsible for customer engagement in critical situations and supporting the Group Manager Market Operations or Director Operations during executive customer reviews.

What You’ll Need

• 10+ years in senior management within mission‑critical operations, preferably multi‑site data centers.
• Master’s or bachelor’s in engineering (Electrical/Mechanical/Industrial) or Business Administration with technical focus.
• Strong knowledge of core DC infrastructure (UPS, generators, switchgear, chillers, CRAC/CRAH, cooling towers, structured cabling).
• Proven experience leading managers and technical specialists, ensuring performance and succession.
• Advanced ITIL knowledge with practical application in incident, problem, and change management.
• Skilled in root cause analysis, preventive measures, and process standardization.
• Financial acumen with OPEX/CAPEX budget ownership and cost optimization.
• Experience developing and enforcing maintenance strategies and operational standards.Ability to translate strategy into executable operational plans that improve reliability and efficiency.
• Expertise in the operations of critical MEP infrastructure, including UPS Systems, emergency generators, various critical cooling systems, computer room air handlers and air conditioners, and electrical distribution
• Excellent understanding of various infrastructure redundancy configurations, and the related limitations of each
• A comprehensive understanding of critical environment management and the challenges of multi-tenant data center occupancy