Senior Manager, Design Management

Vantage Data Centers; London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An engineering and design firm is seeking a Senior Manager to lead design management for hyperscale data center projects in London. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in design management, team leadership, and risk management, along with a strong technical background in engineering. The role emphasizes strategic oversight and mentorship within a collaborative kitchen team environment, with a focus on innovation and operational excellence in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Benefits

Comprehensive health and welfare benefits

Retirement benefits

Paid leave benefits

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• 14+ years of experience in design and engineering management.
• 7+ years in data centre or mission-critical environments, with leadership experience.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and guide teams effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead design management efforts across hyperscale data centre projects.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design efforts and manage Design Managers.
• Ensure all code compliance and technical documentation are upheld.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Thinking

Communication

Project Management

Design Management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, or related field

Job description

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Role Overview

We are looking for a high-performing regional Senior Manager to lead Design Management efforts across hyperscale data centre development projects. Sitting between a Principal and Director level, this role requires a combination of strategic design oversight, strong technical expertise, and a growing focus on people management.

As a core member of the EMEA Development and Delivery team, you will be responsible for coordinating multidisciplinary design efforts, guiding external consultants and internal teams, and managing a small group of regional project-based Design Managers. This role bridges project execution and leadership by delivering complex design programs while mentoring junior managers and contributing to strategic design planning. You will play a vital role in supporting procurement, risk management, technical compliance, and continuous improvement across projects.

This role is a unique opportunity for a Principal level leader looking to broaden their team management responsibilities while maintaining deep engagement in project execution and design innovation influencing industry standards and delivering high-performance spaces that set new benchmarks for the sector. You will help shape data centre infrastructure that meets the demands of a rapidly evolving digital world.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Design Oversight

• Lead development, review, and enhancement of design packages, standards, and specifications across multiple projects.
• Drive consistency and alignment with organizational goals, customer expectations, and regional design strategy.
• Own and maintain project-specific design briefs, ensuring inputs, constraints, and customer requirements are clearly captured.

People & Team Leadership

• Directly manage a team of regional Design Managers, providing technical oversight, feedback, and development support.
• Foster a high-performance design culture through mentoring, regular check-ins, and Lessons Learned reviews.
• Assist in resource planning and performance evaluations under the guidance of the Senior Director of Design Management.

Project Execution & Consultant Oversight

• Lead coordination with third-party consultants, guiding their work in line with Scope of Work, performance KPIs, and project timelines.
• Oversee multi-disciplinary design delivery and provide technical validation of engineering proposals and submissions.
• Manage change control processes related to design deliverables and ensure effective cross-functional communication between Development, Construction, and Operations.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Serve as a key technical point of contact across internal departments: Sales Engineering, Site Development, Procurement, Construction, and Operations.
• Attend design review meetings with internal stakeholders and customers, resolving conflicts, escalating blockers, and ensuring alignment on priorities.
• Support tender and procurement teams with OFCI/CFCI design input, SOW validation, and value engineering decisions.

Risk & Quality Management

• Perform site visits to evaluate design implementation, track quality and compliance, and proactively address design-related risks.
• Lead technical reviews and risk assessments for critical systems, including power, cooling, and security infrastructure.
• Ensure all regional code compliance and technical documentation are upheld through each stage of design.

Continuous Improvement & Reporting

• Identify and implement process improvements to reduce cost, risk, or timeline in the design and procurement lifecycle.
• Drive internal benchmarking efforts across regions to refine design quality and delivery methods.
• Deliver regular progress reports, risk summaries, and CAPEX/OPEX implications to leadership.

Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships at all levels of the organization and with external partners.
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making capabilities, with a focus on achieving long-term organizational objectives.
• Expertise in design management and design integration across diverse teams.
• Understanding of financial management, including budget planning, resource allocation, and cost control.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, balancing competing priorities and deadlines.
• A commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence in design.

Knowledge, and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
• Chartered or Professional Engineer accreditation preferred.
• 14+ years of experience in design and engineering management, with 7+ years in data centre or mission-critical environments, including previous leadership of people or teams.
• Demonstrated experience leading internal design teams and managing external consultant performance.
• Cross-discipline expertise in mechanical, electrical, civil, and structural design related to hyperscale data centers.
• Good understanding of , UK, European and / or South Africa regional building codes, regulations, and permitting.
• Proven leadership ability to drive alignment, manage conflict, and elevate team performance.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Willingness to travel across the region (~20–30% travel expected).

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other’s strengths and respecting each other’s weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.