Senior Design Manager

People Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

People Group is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to drive design development for large-scale hyperscale data centre projects.

You will coordinate multidisciplinary design packages, oversee external consultants and ensure designs meet programme requirements, codes and client standards.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading design on large-scale projects (data centre, critical infrastructure or similar).
• Strong multi-disciplinary coordination across CSA and MEP packages.
• Experience managing external design teams and consultants.

Responsibilities

• Lead design process from concept through construction and handover.
• Coordinate architectural, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and public health designs.
• Manage external design consultants and specialist contractors to deliver timely, coordinated deliverables.

Skills

Design leadership

Coordination

MEP coordination

External consultants mgmt

Clash detection

Programme mgmt

Value engineering

Stakeholder mgmt

Education

Engineering / Architecture / Construction Management degree

Job description

An established and rapidly expanding data centre developer is seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to support the delivery of large-scale, hyperscale data centre developments.

This is an opportunity to join a growing organisation at the forefront of digital infrastructure, playing a key role in managing design development from early-stage concept through to construction and project completion.

The successful candidate will work closely with internal project delivery teams, external consultants, contractors and specialist suppliers to ensure designs are coordinated, technically robust, commercially aligned and delivered in accordance with programme requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the design process across all project stages, from concept and detailed design through to construction and handover.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design packages across architectural, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and public health disciplines.
• Manage external design consultants, engineering teams and specialist subcontractors to ensure timely and coordinated design deliverables.
• Establish and maintain design programmes, deliverable schedules, design responsibility matrices and technical review processes.
• Ensure design solutions meet project specifications, applicable codes, statutory requirements and client standards.
• Drive design coordination, identifying and resolving technical clashes, design gaps and interface issues before they impact construction.
• Work closely with project management, construction, procurement and commercial teams to align design development with project milestones, procurement strategies and construction sequencing.
• Review technical submissions, drawings, specifications, design calculations and value engineering proposals.
• Manage design changes, technical queries, RFIs and design risk registers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support procurement activities through the review of technical tender documentation, contractor proposals and specialist equipment specifications.
• Identify opportunities to optimise design solutions, improve buildability, reduce risk and enhance cost and programme certainty.
• Monitor design progress against key milestones, escalating risks and implementing corrective actions where required.
• Support construction teams with technical design queries and ensure design intent is maintained throughout delivery.
• Oversee design documentation, as-built information and technical deliverables required for commissioning and project handover.

Candidate Requirements

• Proven experience in a Design Manager or equivalent design leadership role within large-scale construction or infrastructure projects.
• Experience delivering data centre, mission-critical, pharmaceutical, semiconductor or other technically complex developments.
• Strong understanding of multidisciplinary design coordination across CSA and MEP packages.
• Demonstrable experience managing external consultants, design teams and specialist contractors.
• Knowledge of design management processes, technical compliance, design risk management and construction interfaces.
• Experience managing design programmes, deliverables, technical reviews and change control.
• Strong understanding of buildability, procurement interfaces, value engineering and programme-driven design delivery.
• Ability to work collaboratively with project delivery, engineering, construction and commercial stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills.
• Relevant degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or a related discipline is preferred.