Design Manager – Data Center

Job Description

Job Purpose

The Design Manager is responsible for leading and managing all Civil, Structural, and Architectural (CSA) design activities throughout the project lifecycle, from concept development and detailed design through construction support, commissioning, and handover. The role ensures that all design deliverables comply with client requirements, project objectives, regulatory requirements, and data center industry standards while maintaining alignment with project schedule, budget, quality, and constructability objectives.

The Design Manager acts as the primary technical interface between the Client, consultants, authorities, and project teams, ensuring seamless integration between design, procurement, construction, and commissioning activities.

Key Responsibilities

Design Leadership & Coordination

• Lead and manage all Civil, Structural, and Architectural design activities across the Data Center Campus.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, consultants, specialist contractors, and design stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain effective design management processes, governance, and reporting structures.
• Ensure alignment between design objectives, project requirements, and construction strategies.

Design Management

• Manage the preparation, review, and approval of design deliverables, including drawings, specifications, calculations, reports, BIM models, and technical submissions.
• Ensure all design deliverables comply with client requirements, applicable regulations, international standards, and data center-specific requirements.
• Monitor design progress and ensure timely delivery of key milestones in accordance with the project schedule.
• Manage design interfaces across CSA, MEP, façade, ICT, security, and specialist systems.

Technical Excellence & Risk Management

• Lead value engineering workshops, constructability reviews, and technical optimisation initiatives.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate design and technical risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure technical consistency and integration across all disciplines.
• Support the development of innovative and cost-effective engineering solutions while maintaining project performance requirements.

Design Integration & Project Delivery

• Coordinate closely with Procurement, Construction, Commercial, Planning, and Commissioning teams to ensure effective design integration.
• Support procurement activities through technical evaluations, package reviews, and vendor coordination.
• Ensure alignment between design deliverables, procurement strategies, and construction sequencing.
• Manage design changes throughout the project lifecycle and maintain design integrity through delivery and handover.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary technical interface with the Client, consultants, authorities, utility providers, and other project stakeholders.
• Lead technical workshops, design reviews, and coordination meetings.
• Present design solutions, technical recommendations, and project updates to senior stakeholders.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration across all project functions.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop design management and engineering teams.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, innovation, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Support resource planning and capability development within the project design team.

Qualifications

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant experience in Civil, Structural, and Architectural design management within EPC, Design & Build, or major construction environments.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale data center, hyperscale data center, mission-critical, industrial, or complex infrastructure projects.
• Strong expertise in multidisciplinary design coordination across CSA, MEP, façade, ICT, security, and specialist systems.
• Demonstrated experience managing design consultants, subconsultants, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Extensive experience in constructability reviews, technical optimisation, and design-to-construction integration.
• Strong knowledge of international design standards, local authority requirements, permitting processes, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience working within fast-track project environments and coordinating design, procurement, and construction programmes.
• Proficiency in BIM methodologies, digital design coordination platforms, and information management systems.
• Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience acting as the primary technical interface with clients, consultants, authorities, and project teams.

Additional Information

Why You’ll Enjoy Working with Us

• Competitive Benefits
• Positive Workplace Culture
• Opportunity to work with a leading international construction group
• Exposure to large-scale, high-impact projects in the Middle East
• Collaborative, diverse, and professional work environment
• Career growth and development opportunities