Design Manager

Matchtech; North East; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech is seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead the design delivery for large-scale data centre projects in Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. The role requires coordinating Civil, Structural, Architectural, and MEP disciplines to deliver designs on time and in line with programme requirements.

You will manage in-house design teams and external consultants, drive design workshops, oversee IFC releases, and maintain design risk registers while ensuring compliance with client standards and safety

Qualifications

• Experience delivering design for large-scale construction projects (data centres, offices, healthcare, industrial).
• Strong leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead engagement with the client's Data Centre design team for project-wide design coordination.
• Manage in-house design team and external consultants to ensure timely design progression with construction schedules.
• Plan and lead design and engineering workshops; resolve design issues ahead of site activities.
• Oversee the Technical Submittal process; ensure timely submissions for review and approval.
• Provide technical leadership for the Data Centre Management team; manage design risk and change control.

Skills

Leadership

Design management

Stakeholder management

Construction coordination

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Design Manager
Data Centre
Permanent Position
Newcastle Upon Tyne
Candidates require full right to work in the UK. We are unable to provide visa sponsorship
Our client, a leading company in the energy and data centre sector, is currently seeking an experienced Design Manager to join their project team in Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom. This permanent role involves leading and managing the design process across Civil, Structural, Architectural, and MEP disciplines, ensuring designs are coordinated, compliant, and delivered in line with programme and project requirements.

Design Manager Key Responsibilities:

• Lead engagement with the client's Data Centre design team for project-wide design and services coordination
• Manage the in-house design team and external consultants to ensure timely design progression in line with construction schedules
• Plan and lead design and engineering workshops, resolving design issues ahead of site activities
• Oversee the Technical Submittal (TS) process, ensuring adherence to project specifications and timely submission for review and approval
• Provide technical leadership for the Data Centre Management team
• Manage the design query and RFI process, maintaining accurate documentation and coordinating through weekly design meetings
• Oversee Issued for Construction (IFC) releases and updates, ensuring all project teams are working to the latest approved designs
• Lead weekly design and engineering coordination meetings with internal and external stakeholders to monitor progress and resolve critical issues
• Maintain a design risk register, communicating key risks to senior management and the client
• Manage safety in design, including the management of design risk and change control processes
• Prepare and deliver weekly design progress reports to the client, highlighting risks and mitigation measures
• Ensure all O& M manuals and documentation are submitted and uploaded to the approved client platforms

Job Requirements:

• Experience in managing the design delivery of large-scale construction projects like data centres, office fitouts, commercial, education, healthcare, or industrial sectors
• Data centre project experience is highly desirable
• Degree qualification in a relevant engineering or construction discipline
• Strong understanding of design management principles, construction sequencing, and coordination between disciplines
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organisational skills
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and deliver under tight deadlines

Benefits:

• Opportunity to work for a market leader in the data centre industry
• Working on large-scale data centre projects
• Collaborative team working environments
• Career progression and development supported
• Competitive salary packages

If you are an experienced Design Manager with a passion for leading complex data centre projects, we would love to hear from you.