Technical Operations Manager

Join Kao Data as a Technical Operations Manager - Drive Excellence in AI-Focused Data Centres!

Kao Data leads the industry, pioneering the development and operation of data centres engineered for AI and advanced computing. With a hyperscale-inspired and industrial scale platform, we provide our customers with a secure, scalable, and sustainable home for their compute.

The Kao Data Operations team, particularly the Data Centre Operations team, fully own and manage all operation live environments, ensuring all critical infrastructure supporting client systems remain secure, reliable and always available. The team oversees power, cooling, fire suppression, cabling and environmental stability, while proactively managing capacity and leading all preventive and corrective maintenance through rigorous change management process working with all internal/external stakeholders.

They manage the Engineering Services Provider to guarantee 100% uptime and work across Kao Data to uphold compliance, governance and stakeholder satisfaction. With responsibility for CAPEX delivery, lifecycle replacements and financial accountability, Operations also partner with Design and Construction teams to ensure seamless project handovers. They work closely with our Customer Service, QHSE, Compliance, Security  and Implementation teams delivering operational excellence and are the first point of escalation for incidents, the function ensures accurate reporting, transparent communication and uninterrupted service for customers.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Technical Operations Manager to play a key managerial role within our Operations team. Reporting to the Technical Operations Director, you will support the leadership of our Data Centre Operations and overall Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) teams, while providing day-to-day support to the Data Centre Managers.

The role will support and help oversee 7-24-365 activities of the operational technical function supporting and providing input to the strategic planning for the organisation, coordinate and manage the capital and operational budgets.

The Technical Operations Manager will support the day-to-day customer relationship and our outsourced facilities management services provider. It is a role which has a technical sway with a view to working closing with the outsourced facilities management in ensuring the delivery of a best in class operational environment.

Key Responsibilities

• The overall responsibility is to support the Technical Operations Director enabling the successful delivery to the client base across the Kao Data Portfolio, including satisfaction throughout the duration of all customer contracts and to exceed in the delivery of all contractual reporting obligations in a timely and efficient manner.
• Understand all mechanical, electrical and security infrastructure and reporting requirements to achieve 100% availability.
• Understanding all aspects of the data centre critical physical infrastructure including the Sequence of Operation and the day-to-day operation & monitoring of all M&E plant & equipment.
• Ensure the outsourced facilities management team meet established Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) and Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s).
• Leadership and work with the outsourced facilities management team to provide a clear and precise document library of all SOP`s and EOP`S.
• Ensures that all work performed within the space is high quality and without impact to internal/external customers in accordance with Kao Data’s processes and procedures.
• Available 7-24-365 to support major incidents working with peers to develop on call rota.
• Fully supports incident management and response programme including participating in customer facing meetings related to operations escalations, be the second in command point of escalation.
• HV/LV AP awareness with an expectation to renew update HV/LV AP status.
• Performs other duties as assigned and become key strategy business owner for all BMS/Controls.
• Managing the key supplier to ensure BMS system graphics are an accurate reflection of all Kao Data the facility M&E plant & equipment.
• Managing the key supplier to ensure all measuring points are correct and accurate reflection of current operational state.
• Ability if required to determine and lead maintenance routines on the facility field equipment & controllers ensuring engineering standards are maintained to maximise the operational effectiveness and reliability.
• Manage the key supplier to create/update graphics to improve existing layouts when required.
• Manage and ensure delivery of all site teams with key tasks:
  • Create back-ups of the system profiles after any changes are made.
  • Keep all graphical pages up to date.
  • Monitor system Alarms for accuracy.
  • Maintain associated field equipment and perform basic repairs/upgrade as required to;
    • Controllers
    • Sensors
    • Meters
  • Calibration of field sensors so they accurately reflect conditions on site (in conjunction with site Ops team)
• Help support strategic vision for data centre operations across multiple assets.
• Support the Management of operations includes people leadership, recognition, performance management, and career development.
• Identifies, develops, or implements critical metrics necessary to manage and monitor the performance of data centre operations.
• Support key KPI, SLA metrics demonstrating facilities health which is communicated through operational reviews/reporting.
• Help drive operations functions to provide exceptional services to clients and employee.
• Support and evaluates and mitigates risk on new and existing project and programmes within data centre to reduce operational risk.
• Helps develops opportunities for cross-team effectiveness and removes organizational barriers for strong teamwork, collaboration, and excellent service delivery.
• Supports and creates drafts and modifies and develops as needed asset specific Business Continuity Plans.

What We’re Looking For:

• Chartered engineer or suitably qualified experience.
• Extensive experience in managing critical infrastructure.
• Has strong understanding of typical data centre technical assets, including cooling generation and distribution, LV and MV electrical, UPS, generators, fire detection and suppression, building management, security and connectivity, and can interpret associated designs and drawings.
• Data Centre Technical Operational Management experience in the outsourcing market or related technology service provider fields within mission critical environments.
• Experience in managing operations and support teams for large enterprise.
• Budgetary management.
• A proven track record in demonstrating success in customer and operational service delivery.
• Track record of driving excellence and a customer centric culture within a diverse business.
• Strong proficiency with applications including Word, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint, MS Project and SharePoint.
• Perform the Process Owner role for the key Engineering processes: asset, maintenance, change, event, incident, energy management and problem management.

Why Kao Data?

• Be part of an innovative and rapidly growing AI data centre leader.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• Work in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
• Engaging team events that strengthen workplace culture and connections
• Private Medical – private health insurance including dental and optical cover.
• Holiday – 25 days annual leave plus UK Bank Holidays
• Pension – Salary Sacrifice Pension
• Parental Leave – Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave
• Life Assurance & Income Protection
• Mental health support - 24/7 access to mental health support via our employee assistance programme, and a trained team of Mental Health First Aiders
• Giving back – 2 Charity volunteering days a year.
• Electric Vehicle - Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Optical Benefit
• Access to Unum’s Help@Hand