Data Center Operations Manager

Frankfurt, Germany (Must be based in or within a commutable distance of Frankfurt)

Salary: Up to €160,000 + 20% Performance Bonus + Comprehensive Benefits

Build the Operational Foundations of a Growing Data Centre Portfolio

Our client is expanding its presence within the European data centre market and is seeking an experienced Operations Manager to establish and deliver the operational framework for a growing multi-site portfolio across Germany.

This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping how critical facilities are operated from day one. Working alongside senior leadership, you will translate strategic operational objectives into practical, scalable processes, organisational structures, systems and teams, ensuring every facility is prepared for long‑term operational success.

This position is ideal for someone with extensive experience across the full data centre lifecycle who enjoys building organisations, implementing best practices and creating operational excellence from the ground up.

The Opportunity

As the Operations Implementation Manager, you will be responsible for designing and implementing a scalable operating model that supports multiple data centre sites. You will act as the key link between leadership, project delivery teams and future site operations, ensuring facilities are fully prepared for safe, efficient and reliable operation.

Rather than managing day‑to‑day operations, your focus will be on creating the operational infrastructure that enables future operational teams to succeed.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Organisation & Implementation

• Design and implement a scalable operational model for multiple data centre sites.
• Develop organisational structures, governance frameworks and staffing strategies.
• Recruit, develop and onboard operational personnel.
• Define roles, responsibilities and reporting structures across the organisation.
• Support the transition to permanent site‑based operational leadership teams.

Operational Readiness

• Ensure operational requirements are incorporated throughout design, construction and commissioning.
• Review designs to maximise maintainability, reliability and operational efficiency.
• Develop structured handover procedures from construction into live operations.
• Ensure systems are fully documented, tested and operationally ready before go‑live.

Processes, Systems & Standards

• Develop operational procedures, maintenance standards and best practice documentation.
• Implement maintenance, change management and incident management processes.
• Support the deployment of CAFM, BMS, EPMS and other operational management systems.
• Drive consistency, standardisation and digitalisation across all sites.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the operational interface between executive leadership, project delivery teams and operational personnel.
• Coordinate technical, commercial and operational stakeholders throughout project delivery.
• Facilitate workshops and meetings to resolve complex challenges and drive decision‑making.
• Promote collaboration across multiple disciplines and project phases.

Risk, Compliance & Performance

• Support implementation of operational compliance, safety and risk management frameworks.
• Assist with audit preparation, regulatory compliance and certification activities.
• Develop KPI frameworks and performance reporting for future operational teams.
• Help establish a culture of continuous improvement across the organisation.

About You

We're looking for an experienced operations professional with a strong technical background and proven success implementing operational organisations within critical environments.

You will ideally have:

• An engineering degree, recognised technical qualification or equivalent industry experience.
• Extensive experience establishing, transforming or scaling operational organisations.
• Strong knowledge of electrical and mechanical infrastructure within mission‑critical or data centre environments.
• Experience across the full project lifecycle, including design, construction, commissioning and live operations.
• The ability to convert strategic objectives into practical operational processes and structures.
• Experience recruiting, mentoring and developing high‑performing operational teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong facilitation and leadership capabilities with the confidence to influence senior stakeholders.
• Business‑level English; German language skills would be highly advantageous.

What's on Offer

• Base salary up to €160,000
• 20% annual performance bonus
• Opportunity to shape the operational model of a growing European data centre platform
• High‑profile projects within a rapidly expanding mission‑critical environment
• Long‑term career progression within a growing organisation

If you have a passion for operational excellence, critical infrastructure and building high‑performing organisations, we'd like to hear from you.