Datacenter Manager

About the Role

We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Datacenter Manager to lead the operational excellence, strategic development, and security of our bank’s critical datacenter infrastructure. In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for ensuring the seamless functionality, high availability, and robust security of our datacenter systems while driving continuous improvement and scalability to support the bank’s evolving business needs. The ideal candidate will combine deep technical expertise with strong leadership capabilities to oversee a high-performance team and deliver world-class datacenter services.

Key Responsibilities

Datacenter Operations and Maintenance

• Oversee the day-to-day management of datacenter infrastructure, including servers, storage systems, and network components, to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
• Maintain high availability and uptime standards for all critical systems and services, minimizing downtime and disruptions to business operations.
• Implement and enforce best practices for hardware and software maintenance, lifecycle management, and capacity planning.

Infrastructure Planning and Implementation

• Lead the strategic planning, design, and execution of datacenter infrastructure upgrades, expansions, and modernizations to align with business growth and technological advancements.
• Ensure the scalability, flexibility, and resilience of the datacenter environment to accommodate increasing demands and future-proof the infrastructure.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate new technologies and optimize existing systems for enhanced efficiency and performance.

Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

• Develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity (BC) plans to safeguard critical datacenter operations against potential disruptions.
• Ensure robust backup, replication, and recovery procedures are in place to protect data integrity and enable rapid restoration in the event of an incident.
• Conduct regular DR drills and assessments to validate preparedness and identify areas for improvement.

Security and Compliance

• Establish and enforce stringent datacenter security policies, access controls, and monitoring protocols to protect against unauthorized access, cyber threats, and physical breaches.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements, including SAMA and AML/CTF guidelines, through rigorous audits, risk assessments, and documentation.
• Lead vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and security incident response efforts to mitigate risks and maintain a secure operational environment.

Performance Monitoring and Optimization

• Monitor datacenter performance using advanced tools and metrics to proactively identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and potential issues.
• Implement data-driven optimization strategies to enhance system performance, reduce latency, and improve resource utilization.
• Analyze system logs, capacity trends, and incident reports to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Team Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of datacenter engineers, administrators, and support staff, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration.
• Work closely with IT operations, cybersecurity, and business stakeholders to align datacenter strategies with organizational goals and deliver value-driven solutions.
• Serve as a technical advisor and escalation point for complex datacenter-related issues, ensuring timely resolution and minimal impact on business operations.

Qualifications and Experience

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Advanced certifications in datacenter technologies, such as VMware Certified Professional (VCP), Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate, Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), or CompTIA DataSys+ are highly desirable.

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 5 to 8 years of progressive experience in datacenter management, with at least 3 years in a leadership or managerial role.
• Proven track record of successfully managing large-scale datacenter environments within a financial institution or enterprise setting.
• Hands-on experience with server virtualization, storage solutions, networking infrastructure, and cloud integration (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).

Technical and Soft Skills

• In-depth technical knowledge of datacenter infrastructure components, including servers, storage arrays, SAN/NAS systems, and network hardware.
• Expertise in performance monitoring tools, troubleshooting methodologies, and system optimization techniques.
• Strong understanding of datacenter security frameworks, access control mechanisms, and compliance standards (e.g., ISO 27001, SOC 2, NIST).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with the ability to manage complex, high-pressure situations.
• Outstanding communication, interpersonal, and leadership abilities to effectively collaborate with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Location

• This position is based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.