Data centres are large warehouses that store everything digital: files, photos, emails, videos, games… you name it, they store it. Containing hundreds of servers stored in specialist racks, these warehouses are completely crucial to the operations of everything we know and love about the internet. Whether it’s accessing a video in your phone storage, searching Google, or facetiming a friend, a data centre will ensure it all runs smoothly. As a society, we’re utterly reliant on them.
There are many different types of data centre, all serving different purposes. Some are small and local to the end user for fastest speeds, while others are larger and out in the sticks. Recruitment for data centres can involve finding the talent to build new projects and/or operate the data centres once they are live.
Working in a dynamic, critical niche like data centres is appealing for lots of recruiters because it’s future-proof and can be very lucrative. This article explores the main reasons why you should consider a career in data centre recruitment.
Contents
- Why data centre recruitment?
- Which job roles do data centre recruiters work with?
- Jobs in data centre recruitment
Why data centre recruitment?
1. Unmatched stability
Back in 2020, many recruiters struggled with the instability that the pandemic caused. With a sector like data centres, the flow of work is more reliable because, no matter what, we’ll keep building them. Data usage and storage is increasing at a rapid pace, especially with the introduction of AI in recent years.
In addition to this, data centre builds are long-term projects, often taking a number of years to complete and become live. With the ongoing talent shortage in the sector, there’s no shortage of clients to work with.
2. Incredible earning potential
Because of the specialist nature of the sector, fees are often higher, which means higher commission for consultants. Candidate salaries in data centres are high because the market is booming, and clients are in competition for the best compensation packages.
3. Global exposure and travel opportunities
The data centre industry has a bustling calendar of events, with major conferences and expos taking place all over the world: London, Dublin, France, Texas, New York, Amsterdam… Our recruiters get the chance to travel and meet their clients face-to-face at these exciting events, including Datacloud Global Congress, Data Centre World, DCAC and more. This kind of travel opportunity is unique to the sector, and means that consultants can stay at the top of their game.
4. A dynamic industry
There truly isn’t a sector more rife with innovation and advancements than data centres… although we may be biased of course. There are constantly new advancements in technology so there’s never a dull moment, and plenty of space for you to grow your personal brand and become the go-to in your niche. Recent advancements include AI (of course), machine learning, quantum computing, immersion cooling, augmented reality, and modular building.
5. Passion for sustainability
If you want to work in a sector that truly believes in sustainability – data centres are the place to be. Contrary to common PR, data centres are fighting the good fight when it comes to reducing energy consumption and using sustainble building materials. From living walls to heating whole neighbourhoods with excess heat, the sector tries these initiatives before any other industry.
Which job roles do data centre recruiters work with?
Roles in data centres fall into three main categories: construction, operations, and ICT.
Construction
Jobs you might recruit for in construction include architects, quality managers, planners, project managers, health and safety professionals, design managers, and engineers.
These roles are all to do with the build phase of the data centre lifecycle. At DataX we have a team of nine focused on recruiting for data centre projects, and the team is constantly growing.
Operations
Roles in operations include technicians, shift engineers, supervisors, and operations management. This stage of the lifecycle is all about managing the facility, ensuring it performs well for years, if not decades, to come.
The job of operations staff is to ensure the facility runs efficiently, safely, and without interruption—24/7, 365 days a year. From monitoring power and cooling systems to performing routine maintenance and responding to faults, operations staff are responsible for keeping downtime to an absolute minimum. They also play a key role in compliance, health and safety, and coordinating with clients and service providers.
ICT
People in Information Technology roles in data centres manage the servers and systems that actually store the data. These roles include network engineers, systems administrators, cabling specialists, and infrastructure technicians—essentially, the experts who ensure everything stays connected and running smoothly.
ICT professionals handle critical tasks such as server maintenance, network configuration, cybersecurity, and troubleshooting issues that could impact uptime.
Jobs in data centre recruitment
We’re always looking for talented recruiters to join our team. If you want to join a company that has a huge network in the industry and is well-known for it’s involvement in the sector, then reach out for a chat.
If you’re looking for a recruitment career that’s secure, exciting, and full of opportunity, data centres are hard to beat. You’ll work in a future-proof industry, earn great commission, and become part of a global community driving technological progress. Whether you’re an experienced recruiter or just starting out, there’s never been a better time to specialise in this booming sector.