Technical Operations and LCRP Manager

Join Kao Data as a Technical Operations and LCRP Manager- Drive Excellence in AI-Focused Data Centres!

Kao Data leads the industry, pioneering the development and operation of data centres engineered for AI and advanced computing. With a hyperscale-inspired and industrial scale platform, we provide our customers with a secure, scalable, and sustainable home for their compute.

The Kao Data Operations team, particularly the Data Centre Operations team, fully own and manage all operation live environments, ensuring all critical infrastructure supporting client systems remain secure, reliable and always available. The team oversees power, cooling, fire suppression, cabling and environmental stability, while proactively managing capacity and leading all preventive and corrective maintenance through rigorous change management process working with all internal/external stakeholders.

They manage the Engineering Services Provider to guarantee 100% uptime and work across Kao Data to uphold compliance, governance and stakeholder satisfaction. With responsibility for CAPEX delivery, lifecycle replacements and financial accountability, Operations also partner with Design and Construction teams to ensure seamless project handovers. They work closely with our Customer Service, QHSE, Compliance, Security and Implementation teams delivering operational excellence and are the first point of escalation for incidents, the function ensures accurate reporting, transparent communication and uninterrupted service for customers.

About The Role

We are looking for a Technical Operations & Lifecycle Replacement (LCRP) Manager to be responsible for developing and delivering the lifecycle replacement strategy for critical data centre infrastructure. The role combines operational engineering assurance, asset condition and risk assessment, capital planning and end-to-end small works project delivery within live mission-critical facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain the site-wide Lifecycle Replacement Programme (LCRP), priorities, dependencies, budget forecasts, delivery milestones and multi-year investment requirements.
• Develop a risk-based methodology for prioritising asset replacement, considering condition, criticality, resilience, maintainability, obsolescence, statutory compliance, energy performance, failure history and availability of spares or technical support.
• Maintain a clear link between the asset register, planned maintenance findings, condition surveys, incident and defect records, operational risk registers, engineering studies and the capital replacement plan.
• Prepare robust business cases that clearly define the operational need, options considered, risk of deferral, recommended solution, cost, programme, benefits and implementation constraints.
• Lead technical improvement projects from definition and feasibility through design, procurement, construction, commissioning, handover and post-implementation review.
• Plan replacement works for live data centre environments, ensuring resilience, capacity, maintainability, customer commitments and operational controls are protected throughout the works.
• Coordinate switching, isolation, contingency, temporary plant, rollback and operational readiness strategies with authorised site teams and subject matter experts.
• Ensure designs and technical solutions are reviewed by relevant stakeholders and are fit for purpose, maintainable, standardised where appropriate and aligned with the long-term site and portfolio strategy.
• Manage consultants, contractors, OEMs and specialist vendors, including scope development, tender support, technical evaluation, appointment, performance monitoring and commercial challenge.
• Control project budgets, commitments, forecasts, cash flow, cost-to-complete, change and risk allowances, providing accurate monthly reporting and early escalation of variance.
• Establish and maintain integrated programmes that identify critical paths, operational constraints, procurement lead times, outages, dependencies and key stakeholder decisions.
• Lead project governance reviews and provide concise executive-level reporting on LCRP status, delivery confidence, key risks, decisions required and forward investment requirements.
• Ensure testing, commissioning and integrated systems testing are planned and executed to demonstrate that new or modified systems achieve the approved design intent and operational requirements.
• Coordinate the handover into Operations, ensuring asset data, drawings, O&M information, warranties, training, spares, maintenance requirements, procedures and compliance evidence are complete and accepted.
• Monitor environmental, energy-efficiency and sustainability opportunities within replacement decisions, including whole-life cost, efficiency improvement and reduction of operational carbon where technically and commercially appropriate.
• Promote lessons learned, standardisation and continuous improvement across lifecycle planning, project delivery and operational engineering governance.

What We’re Looking For

• Extensive experience in technical operations, engineering asset management, lifecycle replacement or capital project delivery within data centres or another mission-critical environment.
• Demonstrable experience of delivering complex M&E infrastructure replacement or upgrade projects in live operational facilities.
• Strong understanding of critical electrical and mechanical systems, resilience principles, maintainability, commissioning and operational risk.
• Experience developing asset replacement plans, condition-based investment priorities, business cases, capital budgets and multi-year delivery programmes.
• Commercial and procurement experience, including consultant and contractor scopes, tender evaluation, contract administration, cost forecasting and change control.
• Ability to translate technical risk and engineering detail into concise recommendations for senior stakeholders and investment decision-makers.
• Ability and willingness to travel between company locations and supplier or project sites as required.
• Degree, HNC/HND or equivalent professional qualification in mechanical, electrical, building services or another relevant engineering discipline.
• Recognised project or programme management qualification, such as APM, PRINCE2 or equivalent practical experience.
• Asset management or facilities management qualification, with knowledge of ISO 55001 principles desirable.
• Experience with data centre infrastructure, including HV/LV distribution, standby generation, UPS, cooling, controls, fire systems and associated monitoring platforms.
• Experience managing specialist consultancy services, OEM engagement and long-lead critical equipment procurement.
• Knowledge of energy-efficiency assessment, whole-life costing and sustainability considerations for infrastructure replacement.

Why Kao Data?

• Be part of an innovative and rapidly growing AI data centre leader.
• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.
• Work in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
• Engaging team events that strengthen workplace culture and connections
• Private Medical - private health insurance including dental and optical cover.
• Holiday - 25 days annual leave plus UK Bank Holidays
• Pension - Salary Sacrifice Pension
• Parental Leave - Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave
• Life Assurance & Income Protection
• Mental health support - 24/7 access to mental health support via our employee assistance programme, and a trained team of Mental Health First Aiders
• Giving back - 2 Charity volunteering days a year.
• Electric Vehicle - Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• Optical Benefit
• Access to Unum’s Help@Hand