Job Description
Position: Data Center Operations Manager
Company: Amazon Web Services (AWS) Kenya
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Experience: 7+ years in data center operations, facilities management, and team leadership
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field
Employment Type: Full-time
Industry: Cloud Services
Department: Operations
Salary: SSP 250,000 – 350,000 per month
Vacancies:1
Company Overview
Amazon Web Services (AWS) Kenya is a leading provider of cloud computing solutions across Africa, delivering scalable, secure, and cost‑effective infrastructure to enterprises, startups, and government agencies. With a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer success, AWS Kenya operates state‑of‑the‑art data centers that power critical workloads for thousands of organizations. As part of the global AWS network, the Nairobi data center hub plays a pivotal role in delivering low‑latency services, supporting digital transformation, and fostering a vibrant tech ecosystem in Kenya and the broader East African region. The company’s culture emphasizes continuous learning, diversity, and a relentless focus on operational excellence, making it an ideal environment for professionals seeking to shape the future of cloud services. Kenya Jobs, Jobs in Kenya, and Career Opportunities in Kenya are at the heart of AWS’s mission to empower local talent and drive economic growth.
Job Overview
The Data Center Operations Manager will lead the day‑to‑day management of AWS’s Nairobi data center, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and security of all infrastructure components. This role involves overseeing a multidisciplinary team of engineers, technicians, and support staff, coordinating maintenance activities, managing capacity planning, and implementing best‑in‑class operational processes. The manager will collaborate closely with security, compliance, and engineering teams to meet stringent service level agreements (SLAs) and regulatory requirements. This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of cloud technology, contributing to the resilience and scalability of services that support millions of users across the continent. For more information about AWS Kenya, visit https://kenyajobsearch.com.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a team of 30+ data center staff, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Oversee daily operations, including power, cooling, networking, and hardware maintenance, ensuring 99.99% uptime.
- Develop and execute capacity planning strategies to accommodate growth in compute, storage, and network demand.
- Implement and enforce rigorous security and compliance protocols in line with ISO 27001, SOC 2, and local regulations.
- Coordinate preventive and corrective maintenance schedules, minimizing service disruptions.
- Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and performance metrics for third‑party services.
- Drive incident response and root‑cause analysis for outages, delivering actionable remediation plans.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to roll out hardware upgrades and new technology deployments.
- Prepare and present operational performance reports to senior leadership.
- Promote sustainability initiatives, optimizing energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprint.
Required Skills
- Strong leadership and people‑management abilities with a focus on team development.
- Deep technical knowledge of data center infrastructure, including power distribution, HVAC, networking, and server hardware.
- Proficiency in monitoring tools (e.g., CloudWatch, Nagios) and automation platforms (e.g., Ansible, Terraform).
- Excellent problem‑solving skills and the ability to make data‑driven decisions under pressure.
- Effective communication skills for cross‑functional collaboration and stakeholder reporting.
- Experience with budget management and cost‑optimization strategies.
- Understanding of regulatory compliance standards and best practices in data security.
Education
A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline is required. Advanced certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect, ITIL, or Certified Data Center Professional (CDCP) are highly desirable.
Experience
Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in data center operations, with at least 3 years in a managerial or supervisory role. Proven track record of managing large‑scale facilities, leading technical teams, and delivering high‑availability services.
Salary
The compensation package ranges from SSP 250,000 to SSP 350,000 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Performance‑based bonuses and stock options may be included.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health insurance covering medical, dental, and vision.
- Retirement savings plan with company matching contributions.
- Generous paid time off and parental leave policies.
- Employee assistance program and wellness initiatives.
- Access to AWS training resources, certifications, and conference attendance.
- Relocation assistance for eligible candidates.
For additional career resources, explore https://rwandajobsearch.com/.
Training
- Onboarding program covering AWS infrastructure, security standards, and operational procedures.
- Continuous technical training through AWS Learning Paths and internal workshops.
- Leadership development courses to enhance managerial competencies.
- Mentorship opportunities with senior architects and global operations leaders.
Further insights into regional opportunities are available at https://rwandajobsearch.com/job-vacancy-in-rwanda/.
Working Environment
AWS Kenya offers a modern, secure, and collaborative workplace equipped with cutting‑edge tools and a supportive culture that values diversity and inclusion. Employees benefit from flexible work arrangements, state‑of‑the‑art facilities, and a vibrant community of tech professionals.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit an updated resume and a cover letter outlining their relevant experience through the AWS Careers portal. Shortlisted applicants will undergo a multi‑stage interview process, including technical assessments and leadership evaluations.
Equal Opportunity Statement
AWS Kenya is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, regardless of gender, race, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation. Kenya Jobs, Jobs in Kenya, and Job Vacancy in Kenya are open to all qualified individuals.