Darren Langdon

Services Manager at NEXTDC S3

As a Senior Data Centre Technician, I oversee the operation, maintenance, and delivery of critical infrastructure across multiple NEXTDC Sydney data centre sites. My role combines technical expertise with leadership responsibilities, ensuring safety, compliance, and performance across electrical, mechanical, and network systems in a 24/7 mission-critical environment. Key responsibilities include: Leading and mentoring a team of data centre technicians to deliver high operational standards and continuous improvement. Coordinating daily operations, maintenance activities, and critical works through PTWs, MOPs, and risk assessments. Supporting recruitment, onboarding, and workforce planning to maintain optimal coverage and team capability. Collaborating with internal teams (Facilities Management, Delivery, and Engineering) and external vendors to ensure project success and uptime. Managing customer change activity, infrastructure upgrades, and service expansions across live environments. Contributing to the development and refinement of operational procedures, documentation, and compliance processes. Key achievements: Supported delivery of major infrastructure projects, including large-scale electrical, mechanical, and fibre upgrades. Improved operational readiness through structured training, process documentation, and proactive planning. Recognised for leadership in building a strong team culture focused on safety, accountability, and performance.

❝ Promoted to Technology Services Engineer, I am responsible for providing end to end technical support to the MediaHub Broadcast facility, managing repairs, maintenance and investigation of issues. My role is to determine the requirements of our clients and internal teams, and perform installation, updates and customisation of technical, broadcasting equipment.❞ Key Responsibilities: ♦ Liaise with clients and internal team members to identify and analyse needs, and plan the installation and configuration of equipment. ♦ Extensive experience in the installation, set up and configuration of computer systems, cabling and equipment. ♦ Undertake testing and operational readiness of equipment and installations, guiding users and other team members with instructions. ♦ Provide end to end diagnostics, issue identification and resolution across general to complex application and data issues. ♦ Contribute to the training of other technicians and engineers to support consistent team outcomes and capacity building. ♦ Conduct adhoc and scheduled repairs and general maintenance to ensure service continuity. ♦ Develop strategies and alternative options to mitigate service loss during breakdowns and failures. ♦ Contribute to the high quality outcomes and Quality Assurance by providing input to new and existing SOPs, work instructions and documentation. ♦ Liaise with Technology and Operations teams, including facilities manager to assist with setups and obtain sign off. ♦ Complete reports regarding system issues and technical assistance requests and processes to resolve to create operational resources and training material. ♦ Act as an initial point of contact for all system related concerns, consulting with clients and internal stakeholders. ♦ Liaise with external vendors to manage service requirements and maintain relationships with vendors for ongoing business continuity.

❝As Master Control Operator, I am a key member in maintaining on-air reliability in a multi-channel environment. I must have exceptional problem solving, planning and scheduling skills. I worked with an extensive selection of broadcasting equipment and was first line support to the presentation department. I liaised closely with the Head Engineer to troubleshoot issues and other MCR departments to investigate issues in a time-critical manner.❞ Key Responsibilities: ♦ Worked closely within a high performing team to complete responsibilities and deliver responsive service at events and within client requirements. ♦ Undertake fault finding and troubleshooting of issues within a timely manner to ensure project and work deadlines. ♦ In conjunction with other team members, triage jobs and enquiries, including fault and repairs, and manage following internal repair diagnostic guide, using discretion in the prioritisation of jobs in line with company goals. ♦ Provide coaching and guidance to stakeholders, to assist with educating in common fault troubleshooting to alleviate job enquiries and demands on technicians. ♦ Liaised and collaborated with the Engineer to escalate issues and investigate solutions to ensure programming and scheduling were achieved. ♦ Undertake equipment checks and testing to ensure continuity of programming and operationally ready for on-air playout. ♦ Work within a team setting to quickly resolve on-air discrepancies and document resolution steps for QA documentation. ♦ Managed commercial integration, including commercial breaks during taped and live programming. ♦ In addition to technical support duties, assist the wider team and organisation with the development of system tables, diagrams and configurations to assist with setting up and assisting other MCRs with workload and duties.

❝My Role as Presentation Coordinator was to coordinate multiple Channel Control for playout centre, clients include, WIN Television, ABC and SBS.❞ Key Responsibilities: ♦ Coordinate live and scheduled channels to air in a state-of-the-art digital TV playout centre ♦ Manage competing tasks, under pressure and have high light attention to detail ♦ Liaise with a broad group of internal team members and external vendors ♦ Collaborate with broadcast clients to ensure schedules and playlists are accurate and of high quality ♦ Ensure content is appropriate and transmission of multi-channel content to air is managed and runs smoothly ♦ Meet client expectations and day to day requirements of the role, ensuring high standards of service is delivered