Head of Design

JDL Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

JDL Recruitment in London is seeking a Head of Design to lead delivery of data centre design across a UK portfolio. The role involves managing external consultants, aligning technical, cost and schedule outcomes with business priorities, and interfacing with internal stakeholders and authorities.

The successful candidate will have substantial data centre design leadership experience, strong governance understanding, and expertise in RFQ/RFP processes and budget input.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in data centre, mission critical or complex building developments.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary consultants, contractors and technical stakeholders.
• Advanced knowledge of data centre design including critical systems and resilience.
• Strong understanding of hyperscale and colocation bases of design and commissioning expectations.
• Experience with RFQ and RFP processes and consultant procurement.
• Ability to drive accountability across consultants without direct reports.
• Postgraduate qualification in design management, project management or business is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Own delivery of the data centre design up to establishment of the GMP, aligning technical, cost and time outcomes with business priorities and customer expectations.
• Establish design management frameworks, governance processes and portfolio standards across the UK projects.
• Lead design management from concept and feasibility through design development and documentation to GMP handover.
• Manage external consultants and technical specialists, defining scope, reviewing deliverables and driving accountability for programme, quality and design intent.
• Act as the senior design interface for internal stakeholders, consultants, contractors, authorities and customers.
• Manage design related risk, compliance, approvals and governance, and support consultant procurement, fee reviews and budget input.

Skills

Design leadership

Stakeholder management

Data centre design

RFP/RFQ processes

Budget input

Governance & compliance

Portfolio delivery

Education

Postgraduate qualification in design management / project management / business

Job description

JDL Recruitment are delighted to be partnering with a globally renowned developer rapidly expanding their data centre development platform, as they look to grow their team with a Head of Design, in London.

This is a permanent senior leadership appointment based in London, working three days a week in the office. Reporting to the Director of Data Centre Delivery.

Responsibilities:

• Own delivery of the data centre design up to establishment of the GMP, aligning technical, cost and time outcomes with business priorities and customer expectations.
• Establish design management frameworks, governance processes and portfolio standards across the UK projects.
• Lead design management from concept and feasibility through design development and documentation to GMP handover.
• Manage external consultants and technical specialists, defining scope, reviewing deliverables and driving accountability for programme, quality and design intent.
• Act as the senior design interface for internal stakeholders, consultants, contractors, authorities and customers.
• Manage design related risk, compliance, approvals and governance, and support consultant procurement, fee reviews and budget input.

Requirements:

• Substantial experience in data centre, mission critical or complex building developments, including leadership across design management and delivery phases.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary consultants, contractors and technical stakeholders across complex projects or portfolio programmes.
• Advanced knowledge of data centre design, covering critical systems, spatial coordination, resilience, constructability and authority requirements.
• Strong understanding of hyperscale and colocation basis of design, design standards and commissioning expectations.
• Strong experience of RFQ and RFP processes, consultant procurement, scope development and commercial negotiation.
• The ability to drive accountability across consultants and stakeholders without direct reports.
• A postgraduate qualification in design management, project management or business is desirable.