Group Commissioning Director

About VIRTUS

VIRTUS Data Centres is Europes fastest-growing data centre provider. We own design build and operate some of the most energy-efficient flexible and secure data centres in the UK and Europe.

In 2023 we announced our expansion into continental Europe starting with Berlin and Milan with plans to grow further across the region.

At VIRTUS we aim to be a positive force in the fourth industrial revolutiondelivering innovative solutions while staying firmly rooted in our core values: Clarity & Quality Accountability Customer Commitment Purposeful Innovation and Capability & Growth.

Job Summary

The Group Commissioning Director is accountable for the governance strategy and consistent delivery of commissioning across all VIRTUS data centre projects major infrastructure upgrades and lifecycle replacement works across Europe. The role acts as the owners commissioning authority ensuring that critical infrastructure is designed installed tested integrated documented and formally accepted in line with VIRTUS requirements project specifications operational readiness criteria applicable legislation ISO requirements customer requirements and industry best practice.

The role provides dedicated data centre commissioning expertise to support new build and expansion projects management of group-wide commissioning standards and customer engagements as required. Through the commissioning team appointed commissioning agents contractors and suppliers the role will lead the commissioning lifecycle from early design commissionability reviews and factory testing through site acceptance start-up functional performance testing Integrated Systems Testing defect closure and operational handover.

The role is responsible for ensuring safe energisation resilient system performance clear acceptance criteria robust issue resolution evidence-based handover and continued improvement of the VIRTUS commissioning playbook standards and reporting framework.

Duties and Responsibilities

The role includes but is not limited to the following:

Own and continuously improve the VIRTUS commissioning framework playbook and regional standards across the UK and European portfolio ensuring clear roles interfaces level definitions decision gates acceptance criteria escalation routes reporting templates evidence requirements and handover criteria.

Build lead and resource a high-performing regional commissioning team across the UK Germany Italy and other European locations setting clear expectations priorities and ways of working while developing capability through coaching technical mentoring structured development plans knowledge sharing and succession planning.

Lead the full commissioning lifecycle from design commissionability review through Level 1 FAT Level 2 installation verification Level 3 start-up and energisation Level 4 functional performance testing Level 5 Integrated Systems Testing defect closure and formal operational handover.

Ensure commissioning deliverables are planned reviewed evidenced and completed to the required standard including FAT/SAT documentation readiness checklists test scripts witnessing records FPTs IST plans method statements MOPs/SOPs deficiency logs commissioning reports and turnover packs.

Support commissioning-related procurement appointment and contract governance by defining scope requirements reviewing consultant and contractor proposals validating commissioning deliverables and ensuring contractual testing evidence and handover obligations are clearly understood and delivered.

Provide technical governance over critical data centre systems including HV/LV distribution switchgear transformers UPS generators fuel systems batteries mechanical cooling chilled water plant CRAH/CRAC/CDU units controls BMS/EPMS fire and life safety systems alarms and monitoring interfaces.

Drive IST readiness and execution including prerequisites load-bank strategy resilience scenarios failure-mode testing utility-loss simulations controls integration alarm validation operational witnessing defect tracking and retest closure.

Govern customer and operational acceptance readiness by ensuring commissioning evidence test results risk positions exclusions deferred works and acceptance recommendations are clearly presented agreed and formally recorded before handover.

Ensure commissioning activities are delivered safely and compliantly particularly during energisation live testing permits isolations switching risk assessments method statements emergency arrangements and Health & Safety fire security and ISO-related requirements.

Review design construction and operational documentation to confirm commissionability maintainability testability sequence of operations controls logic alarm strategy and operational readiness are embedded early in project delivery.

Maintain commissioning KPIs dashboards digital tracking tools and management reporting to provide clear visibility of readiness programme status defects retesting acceptance risks safety performance resourcing handover readiness benchmarking and lessons learned.

Lead effective collaboration with project teams operations engineering discipline leads consultants commissioning agents contractors vendors and customer commissioning stakeholders to align capability resolve issues quickly and minimise programme safety customer and operational impact.

Train and support engineering and operations teams on commissioning processes test philosophy system operation handover expectations and operational readiness requirements.

Use commissioning findings operational trends failure risks industry best practice and lessons learned to improve data centre reliability resilience efficiency power usage effectiveness and future project delivery.

Support post-handover stabilisation by reviewing early-life operational performance commissioning-related incidents alarms defects and customer feedback ensuring lessons learned are captured and fed back into design construction commissioning standards and future projects.

Undertake any other reasonable requests made by your line manager.

Qualifications:

Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline; masters degree preferred.

Professional specialist development in MEP systems data centre engineering and mission-critical commissioning; recognised commissioning certification preferred.

Project management qualification or formal project management training within the engineering and construction industry would be advantageous.

Experience:

Minimum 1015 years engineering and commissioning experience in data centre or mission-critical 24x7 environments including significant Integrated Systems Testing experience.

Demonstrable design and practical commissioning experience across both greenfield and brownfield construction projects preferably including major capital projects of substantial value.

Skills & Competencies:

Demonstrable ability to build lead and develop a high-performing regional commissioning team including people management coaching technical mentoring workload prioritisation succession planning and creating an accountable safety-focused and collaborative team culture.

Ability to develop articulate and implement commissioning specifications workflows best practices testing strategies commissioning standards and owner acceptance processes for data centre and mission-critical facilities.

Familiarity with recognised commissioning codes and guidance including ASHRAE CIBSE and BSRIA commissioning guidance.

Experience performing both consultant-side and owner-side commissioning responsibilities would be advantageous.

Experience working across multiple countries and cultures with the ability to lead regional commissioning activity and collaborate effectively across distributed teams.

Excellent written and verbal English communication skills; additional European or regional language skills would be advantageous.

Willingness and ability to travel across Europe as required by project commissioning customer and operational demands.

In line with VIRTUS Vetting Policy the successful applicant must be willing to undergo a BS7858 screening process.

VIRTUS is an equal opportunity employer. As part of our commitment to fight for equality we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.

We reserve the right to close this post for applications should sufficient applications be received.

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully
VIRTUS Data Centres does not accept unsolicited support from search firms for employment openings. CVs/resumes submitted by search firms to any VIRTUS employee without an active written search agreement for a specified role will become the property of VIRTUS. No fees will be paid for candidates hired from agency submissions made without such an agreement. Existing agency partnerships must adhere to position-specific terms outlined in their agreements. Please refrain from calling or emailing regarding this matter.