Data Center Operations Manager Job Vacancy Telecommunications and Data Services

Position:
Data Center Operations Manager
Company:
Liquid Telecom

Location:

Bloemfontein, South Africa

Experience:

5+ years in data center operations or related field

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline

Employment Type:

Full-time
Industry: Telecommunications and Data Services
Department:
Operations
Salary: SSP 600,000 – 900,000 per annum
Vacancies:1

Liquid Telecom is a leading pan‑African telecommunications provider delivering high‑speed fiber connectivity, cloud services, and data centre solutions across 15 countries. With a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability, Liquid Telecom supports businesses, governments, and communities in achieving digital transformation. The company’s extensive network infrastructure and state‑of‑the‑art data centres enable reliable, secure, and scalable services that drive economic growth throughout Africa.

As part of its expansion strategy, Liquid Telecom is investing heavily in new data centre facilities in South Africa, creating a dynamic environment for professionals seeking career advancement. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the growth of a world‑class data centre ecosystem while working in the vibrant city of Bloemfontein.

The Data Center Operations Manager will lead the day‑to‑day management of Liquid Telecom’s Bloemfontein data centre, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and security of all hosted services. Reporting to the Regional Operations Director, you will oversee a multidisciplinary team of engineers, technicians, and support staff, coordinating maintenance, capacity planning, and incident response. This position is critical to maintaining service level agreements (SLAs) for high‑profile clients and supporting the company’s reputation for excellence in the telecommunications sector.

For more information about the company’s vision, visit

• Manage daily operations of the Bloemfontein data centre, including power, cooling, and network infrastructure.
• Develop and enforce operational policies, procedures, and best practices to meet industry standards such as ISO 27001 and Uptime Institute Tier certifications.
• Lead incident management, root‑cause analysis, and post‑incident reviews to continuously improve reliability.
• Coordinate capacity planning and forecasting to support business growth and client demand.
• Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance schedules, ensuring minimal downtime.
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and service level agreements for equipment and support services.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Prepare and present operational performance reports to senior leadership.
• Mentor and develop technical staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

• Strong knowledge of data centre infrastructure, including power distribution, cooling systems, and networking.
• Proficiency in monitoring tools (e.g., Solar Winds, Nagios) and ticketing systems.
• Excellent problem‑solving and decision‑making abilities under pressure.
• Leadership experience with the ability to motivate cross‑functional teams.
• Effective communication skills for interacting with clients, vendors, and executive management.
• Project management expertise, preferably with PMP or PRINCE2 certification.
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles and data protection regulations.

A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field is required. Advanced certifications such as Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP) or Certified Data Centre Expert (CDCE) are highly desirable.

Minimum of five years managing data centre operations, with at least two years in a supervisory or managerial capacity. Experience in a telecommunications environment and familiarity with Tier III/Tier IV data centre standards are essential.

The role offers a competitive salary ranging from SSP 600,000 to SSP 900,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Performance‑based bonuses and benefits are included.

• Comprehensive…