Data Centre Manager

Description:

Data Centre Manager

This Data Centre Manager position will report to the Network Capability Manager and will work within the Strategy Regulation and Support Services directorate based in our Ipswich office. You will be a permanent employee.

Close Date: 06/02/2026

We Also Provide The Following Additional Benefits

25 Days Annual Leave plus bank holidays.
Reservist Leave – Additional 18 days full pay and 22 unpaid
Personal Pension Plan – Personal contribution rates of 4% or 5% (UK Power Networks will make a corresponding contribution of 8% or 10%)
Tenancy Loan Deposit Scheme, Season Ticket Loan
Tax efficient benefits: Cycle to Work, Home & Tech, and Green Car Leasing Schemes
Occupational Health support
Switched On – scheme providing discount on hundreds of retailers' products
Discounted gym membership
Employee Assistance Programme

Job Purpose

UK Power Network (UKPN) is dedicated to the management of its data centres, with an emphasis on compliance, safety, and operational resilience. These facilities are critical to the delivery of essential services to 28% of the UK's homes and businesses, and their reliable operation underpins both UKPN's reputation and its ability to meet regulatory obligations. Ensuring that data centres run safely and securely is therefore a matter of public importance and maintaining BAU functionality.

You will be the central point of accountability for UKPN's OT data centres located across London and the South East. This newly created role is designed to bring clarity to the management of these vital assets. Improving operational efficiency and streamlining decision-making. By coordinating across a wide range of internal teams and external partners, the manager will ensure seamless collaboration and alignment, becoming the single point of authority for all matters relating to the data centres, covering Operational Technology (OT), Information Technology (IT), facilities management, building management systems and physical security. In the role you will embed yourself in daily operations, with opportunity for long-term planning, forecasting and new ideas.

In its initial phase, the role will focus on leading the implementation of UKPN's newly reviewed data centre strategy and operating model. While supported by the UKPN technology management and current programme team, the Data Centre Manager will take ownership of changes to processes, governance, and ways of working, promoting them into daily operations. An important part of your role will be on asset management and security, raising standards, enhancing accountability, and ensuring resilience across the estate. This is a unique opportunity to establish a new way of working that strengthens operational excellence, safety and partner trust.

This is an exciting time to join UKPN as a Data Centre Manager. With the progression and support of the UKPN technology team and programme, your role will have the space and opportunity to shape how the data centre estate evolves, raising standards towards Tier 4 classification, with respect to infrastructure and communication capabilities. By combining foresight into emerging demand with proactive preparation, the role will ensure the design and architecture of the data centres remain robust, flexible, available and scalable, through for example, the exploration of automation opportunities. You will also have responsibility for shaping the future direction of the data centres, aligning planning and forecasting with UKPN's long-term strategy, which places a strong emphasis on sustainability and Net Zero practices, embedding these principles into the planning and management of the estate.

This role requires strategic vision to shape long-term strategy, architecture and design while maintaining a strong operational focus to ensure capabilities are available, facilities are managed effectively, issues are addressed promptly, and standards are consistently upheld. In practice, this means balancing direct involvement in daily operations with the responsibility to influence and define the future direction of UKPN's data centres.

Dimensions

Direct reports: The Data Centre Analyst & Data Centre Resilience Lead
Budget: None directly but influencing organisational spend of c£10m.

Principal Accountabilities

Influence and Embed the New Data Centre Strategy & Operating Model

Lead the final stages of implementing UKPN's reviewed data centre strategy and operating model.
Take ownership of new roles, responsibilities, processes, governance, and ways of working, ensuring they are embedded into daily operations.

Lead Data Centre Capability & Capacity Planning

Develop capability and capacity plans for all data centres, considering Infrastructure, Applications, Networking, Facilities, and Physical Security.
Forecast future requirements to ensure we can meet non-functional demands, for example scalability and resilience.

Lead Data Centre Operational Delivery & Onsite Oversight

You will maintain an onsite presence across UKPN's data centres to oversee daily operations and ensure situational awareness around all OT, IT, facilities, building management systems and security.
You will oversee the asset management lifecycle for all hardware and software within the data centres
You will oversee data centre access, supplier access - conducting regular audits to safeguard personnel security.
Be the escalation point for issues, both run and change, ensuring resolution and minimal disruption.

Lead Data Centre Supplier Management

Review existing supplier relationships and service performance against SLAs, ensuring alignment with UKPN's raised standards for resilience and security.
Lead contract reviews and renegotiations to meet evolving requirements, cost effectiveness and ongoing technology refresh and modernisation.
Improve accountability with suppliers through clear performance metrics, escalation processes, and governance forums.

Lead Data Centre Projects & Contribute to Org-Wide Change & Transformation

Oversee all projects within the data centres, ensuring collaboration across teams and alignment with strategic goals, design principles and codes of practice.
Contribute to organisation-wide programmes and projects where data centres have impact or influence, providing expertise to ensure delivery.