Disaster Recovery(DR) and Runbook Specialist

Role: RUNBOOK / DRP SME - Disaster Recovery Documentation & Runbook Specialist

The Runbook/DRP SME will own the end-to-end DR documentation framework for the DR Automation Managed Services engagement.

This individual is responsible for developing, maintaining, and continuously improving Disaster Recovery Plans (DRPs) and runbook documentation in alignment with the live automation workflows being deployed.

The role is the central documentation authority, ensuring that all technical decisions, test outcomes, lessons learned, and remediation actions are formally captured and reflected across the DR documentation estate.

Own the end-to-end DR documentation framework, including the definition and maintenance of standards, templates, and version control processes.

Develop, maintain, and continuously update DRPs in alignment with automation workflow documentation, reflecting changes in applications, infrastructure, and network as they occur.

Ensure that application and infrastructure dependency maps, startup/shutdown sequences, and impact analyses are accurately represented in DR runbooks and operational guides.

Coordinate with the Technical Lead, Application SME, Infrastructure SME, Network SME, and Business Continuity stakeholders to capture design decisions, test results, lessons learned, and remediation actions as formal documentation updates.

Support DR tests, exercises, and live events by preparing and distributing documentation packs, and capturing outcomes, deviations, and improvement actions in post-event documentation.

Maintain traceability between automation workflow logic and corresponding runbook steps, ensuring alignment is preserved through every change cycle.

Establish and enforce documentation governance processes, including review cycles, approval workflows, and change control integration for DR documentation.

Work with the broader team to identify gaps between documented procedures and actual DR automation behaviour, and drive resolution through structured updates.

Produce clear, audit-ready documentation that satisfies regulatory and compliance requirements for DR evidence and operational records.

Demonstrable experience in developing and managing DR documentation frameworks, runbooks, and DRPs within complex enterprise environments.

Strong understanding of DR and Business Continuity principles, including RTO/RPO, dependency mapping, failover/failback sequencing, and impact analysis.

Experience working alongside technical teams (infrastructure, application, network) to translate technical designs and test outcomes into accurate, structured documentation.

Proficiency with document management and version control tools and processes.

Experience supporting DR tabletop exercises, DR tests, and live failover events in a documentation capacity.

Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent documentation streams across different technical domains.

Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to produce documentation that is clear, concise, and suitable for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Familiarity with audit and regulatory requirements for DR documentation and evidence retention.

Experience working within a Managed Services or Professional Services DR engagement.

Exposure to DR automation platforms and familiarity with how automation workflows translate to runbook procedures.

Knowledge of ITIL, ISO 22301, BCI Good Practice Guidelines, or equivalent business continuity and DR frameworks.

Experience with Dell Technologies infrastructure environments is an advantage.

Relevant certifications: BCI (CBCI/MBCI), DRII (CBCP), ITIL, or equivalent.