Disaster Recovery Specialist

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Disaster Recovery Specialist to join our team. This critical role is responsible for ensuring the resilience and readiness of our IT infrastructure, applications, networks, and data center environments against potential disruptions. The ideal candidate will play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and maintaining robust disaster recovery strategies that align with business continuity objectives, regulatory compliance, and service level agreements (SLAs). This is a hands-on, execution-focused position that requires deep technical expertise in disaster recovery operations, including the planning, execution, and continuous improvement of DR programs.

Key Responsibilities

The Disaster Recovery Specialist will oversee and execute enterprise-wide disaster recovery initiatives, including:

• DR Planning & Governance:
  • Develop, maintain, and update the IT Disaster Recovery Plan in accordance with annual audit, compliance, and business continuity requirements.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to define DR strategies, execution models, and scope for planned DR activities.
  • Ensure alignment of DR plans with infrastructure, application dependencies, and regulatory expectations.
  • Uphold strict adherence to DR testing schedules, execution timelines, and compliance standards.
  • Achieve zero SLA breaches during DR execution and ensure timely closure of DR incidents with comprehensive documentation.
• DR Execution & Coordination:
  • Lead and support DR drills, including failover and failback activities across all IT towers and environments.
  • Act as the central coordination point during DR planning and execution, ensuring seamless collaboration with cross-functional teams.
  • Validate Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO) achievements during drills and provide detailed post-execution analysis.
  • Adjust planned DR drills based on evolving business needs, inclusion/exclusion lists, and application tier classifications.
• Documentation & Compliance:
  • Develop, maintain, and update Disaster Recovery Runbooks with precise recovery procedures and operational guidelines.
  • Ensure all DR documentation is audit-ready, accurate, and reflective of the current IT environment.
  • Align documentation with ISO standards, regulatory requirements, and internal compliance frameworks.
• Continuous Improvement & Automation:
  • Drive DR automation initiatives to enhance execution efficiency, reduce manual intervention, and improve reliability.
  • Identify and implement process improvements in DR frameworks, tools, and execution methodologies.
  • Monitor industry best practices and emerging technologies to enhance DR capabilities.
• Readiness & Incident Management:
  • Plan and facilitate tabletop exercises with IT stakeholders to validate DR readiness and preparedness.
  • Document DR drill incidents, observations, and deviations, and track issues to closure with proper Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and preventive actions.
  • Maintain the DR risk register and ensure follow-up on closure actions to mitigate future risks.
• Technical Environment Mastery:
  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of infrastructure and application integrations, including external network setups for transaction processing and dependent subsidiaries.
  • Analyze application tier classifications and recovery priorities to ensure alignment with business criticality.

Required Skills & Experience

To excel in this role, candidates must possess the following technical and operational competencies:

• Technical Proficiency:
  • In-depth knowledge of Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity principles and frameworks.
  • Hands-on experience with infrastructure components, including Unix, Windows, Storage, and Backup systems.
  • Strong understanding of network architecture, failover mechanisms, and data center operations.
  • Familiarity with replication technologies, DR orchestration tools, and tiering models for applications.
  • Exposure to RTO/RPO concepts and their practical application in DR scenarios.
• Operational Expertise:
  • Proven experience in executing DR drills, both planned and unplanned, with a focus on real-world scenarios.
  • Expertise in creating, maintaining, and updating Disaster Recovery Runbooks and operational documentation.
  • Strong incident management skills, including RCA and implementation of preventive measures.
  • Ability to coordinate effectively with large enterprise teams, including IT, operations, and business stakeholders.
  • Prior experience in regulated environments, such as banking or financial services, is highly desirable.
• Soft Skills & Attributes:
  • Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities with a keen attention to detail.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills to liaise with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Commitment to continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends and best practices.

The Disaster Recovery Specialist will play a vital role in safeguarding our organization’s operational integrity and ensuring business continuity in the face of unforeseen disruptions. If you are a proactive, detail-oriented professional with a passion for disaster recovery and a track record of excellence in DR execution, we invite you to apply and contribute to our mission of operational resilience.