Director of Operations - Critical Site - Engineering knowledge background

Director of Operations - Critical Site - Engineering knowledge background

JR-160788

On Site

Slough

Operations

Full time

No (United Kingdom)

Who are we?

Equinix is the world’s digital infrastructure company®, shortening the path to connectivity to enable the innovations that enrich our work, life and planet.

A place where bold ideas are welcomed, human connection is valued, and everyone has the opportunity to shape their future.

Joining our operations team means being at the center of everything – maintaining and evolving critical infrastructure that powers the digital world and delivers real impact for our customers, communities and society. You’ll find belonging, purpose, and a team that welcomes you - because when you feel valued, you’re empowered to do your best work.

Director, IBX Operations – LD4 (Critical Site)

We are seeking a senior, influential leader to take full ownership of operations at LD4 - one of our most critical and high-profile sites globally.

This is a Director-level role with focused accountability, combining end-to-end operational leadership with the strategic oversight expected at a senior level. You will be responsible for delivering exceptional performance across safety, reliability, customer experience, and cost - while leading and developing a high-performing technical organisation on-site.

This is not a purely strategic role. It requires a visible, hands-on leader who can operate at depth within a mission-critical environment, while also shaping direction, influencing stakeholders, and raising standards across the broader organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Site Leadership & People Management

Review the organisational design for site operation and transform as appropriate.

Lead, inspire, and develop a multi-disciplinary team, including managers and technical professionals.

Set the tone for a high-performance, safety-first culture and drive continuous improvement

Own all people leadership responsibilities including hiring, succession planning, performance, and capability development

Act as a visible site leader, building trust, engagement, and accountability across the organisation.

Be the key Operational stakeholder for capacity management at site level, balancing the commercial & customer needs whilst maintaining availability.

Operational Excellence & Site Performance

Own the end-to-end operational performance of LD4, ensuring uptime, reliability, and customer commitments are consistently met

Define and deliver site-level objectives aligned to Equinix standards and global priorities

Drive operational efficiency, resilience, and continuous improvement across all disciplines

Lead incident response as the senior escalation point, ensuring rapid resolution and strong post-incident learning

Strategic & Director-Level Accountability

Translate broader operational strategy into clear site-level execution plans

Establish and track performance metrics (KPIs, SLAs, capacity, availability, financials)

Own site financial performance, including OPEX/CAPEX planning, cost optimisation, and investment decisions

Balance short-term operational demands with long-term site capability and growth planning

Infrastructure, Capacity & Investment

Partner with regional and global teams on capacity planning, infrastructure strategy, and future expansion

Ensure the appropriate infrastructure refresh programmes are in place.

Oversee delivery of site projects, upgrades, and expansions to time, scope, and budget

Ensure accurate and forward-looking capacity management (power, cooling, and space)

Customer & Stakeholder Leadership

Act as the senior operational representative for LD4, engaging with internal and external stakeholders

Drive a strong customer-first mindset and continuously improve customer experience outcomes

Collaborate with global and regional leadership to ensure alignment with broader business priorities

Risk, Compliance & Resilience

Own business continuity, disaster recovery readiness, and operational risk management at site level

Ensure full compliance with regulatory, safety, and corporate standards (ISO, audit, etc.)

Maintain rigorous governance across MOPs, change control, and operational processes

Vendor & Ecosystem Management

Oversee vendor performance against SLAs/KPIs and drive continuous improvement

Build strong partnerships with suppliers and internal support teams to optimise performance and delivery

Qualifications & Experience

Proven leadership in mission-critical operations (data centres, telco, engineering, or large-scale infrastructure)

Demonstrated experience owning operational outcomes, budgets, and team performance

Strong background in engineering, facilities, or technical operations

Experience operating in complex, matrixed environments and influencing across functions

Track record of driving performance improvement and operational excellence

Strong financial and business acumen, linking operational delivery to commercial outcomes

Leadership Profile

We’re looking for a leader who can:

Lead at depth and at scale - comfortable being hands-on while setting direction

Influence and align - engage effectively with senior stakeholders across the business

Raise the bar - set ambitious standards for safety, customer experience, and operational performance

Think strategically - connect site operations to wider business goals and transformation initiatives

Develop others - build strong leadership capability within the site

Role Profile Positioning

This role is intentionally designed to:

Own a single, critical site (LD4) with full accountability

Operate with the scope, decision-making authority, and impact of a Director

Combine operational depth (Manager-level execution) with strategic leadership (Director-level influence)

Why Should You Apply?

Competitive Salary: Attractive compensation including a non-contractual bonus based on performance and a Reserved Stock Unit package.

Generous Leave: 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase additional days

Comprehensive Insurance & Health Benefits: Life Assurance, Income Protection, Critical Illness Insurance, Private Healthcare, Eye Care Coverage, and Gymflex Membership.

Investment Opportunities: Employee Stock Purchase Plan and Company Pension Plan.

Travel Benefits: Cycle to Work Scheme and Annual Season Ticket Loan.

Career Growth: Excellent opportunities for growth and advancement within the company.

Equinix is committed to ensuring that our employment process is open to all individuals, including those with a disability. If you are a qualified candidate and need assistance or an accommodation, please let us know by completing form.

We use artificial intelligence in our hiring process. Learn more here.

This posting is for a backfill position, meaning it is to fill an existing vacancy within our organization.