Design Manager - Data Center

Gilbane Building

Richmond (VA)

On-site

USD 123,600 - 225,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Competitive health and welfare benefits

Profit-sharing/401(k) plan

Training opportunities through Gilbane University

Job summary

A leading construction firm in Richmond, Virginia is seeking a Design Manager – Data Center to lead the integration of design and construction teams. The ideal candidate will possess over 10 years of experience in design and project management for large-scale construction and have a strong understanding of advanced delivery models. Competitive salary offered includes benefits and a retirement program.

Qualifications

10+ years’ experience in design/project management for large-scale construction.
Proven experience with advanced delivery models like Design-Build, IPD, P3, EPC.
Strong understanding of design-to-budget, constructability, and risk management.

Responsibilities

Serve as primary liaison between design and construction teams during proposals.
Lead design progression to ensure alignment with budget, schedule, and constructability.
Oversee design QA/QC for regulatory and standards compliance.

Skills

Excellent communication

Leadership

Team-building

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Construction management software

Design management tools

Job description

2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Overview

Gibane is seeking a Design Manager – Data Center who will lead the integration of design and construction teams to deliver coordinated, constructible, and cost‑effective designs on schedule and within budget. This role supports advanced delivery models (Design‑Build, IPD, P3, EPC), ensuring design intent, risk management, and project readiness for execution.

Who are we?

As a Top‑10 ENR Contractor, Gilbane is a family‑owned business with 45 offices that has been shaping communities since 1870. Consistently recognized as one of the most reputable construction management firms in the country, Gilbane is committed to delivering projects safely and on‑time. We build schools, labs, hospitals, corporate offices, sports arenas and more, and we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.

Who are you?

You act inclusively, showing empathy, respect, and dignity, upholding Gilbane’s core value of Caring and a “People First” workplace culture. You listen to understand, convey information clearly, solve problems, prioritize alternatives, and collaborate to achieve excellence. You are a self‑starter with passion, commitment, ownership, and a drive to deliver business outcomes. Your core values match Gilbane’s: Integrity, Caring, Teamwork, Tough‑mindedness, Dedication to Excellence, Discipline, Loyalty, and Entrepreneurship.

What’s in it for you?

Gilbane offers multi‑dimensional training opportunities through Gilbane University, an award‑winning training hub, and a team that encourages daily learning. You will protect and promote the interests of both Gilbane and the client while demonstrating the personal characteristics of a developing leader.

Responsibilities

Preconstruction & Proposal Phase

Serve as the primary liaison between design and construction teams during proposals.
Lead strategy for design services breakdown and integration of specialty consultants or design‑build trades.
Define technical scope, manage RFIs, and ensure comprehensive bridging documents.
Develop and maintain design deliverable schedules aligned with procurement and build phases.
Validate A/E scope and fee structure; support Teaming Agreements.
Collaborate with estimating to break down RFPs and support subcontractor/vendor pricing.
Assemble and maintain the Endorsed Project Baseline (proposal, estimate, contract, schedule).
Identify and communicate requirements to clarify RFPs for design and construction.

Design Development & Delivery

Oversee design progression to ensure alignment with budget, schedule, and constructability; lead target‑value design.
Facilitate design charrettes, team chartering, and owner approval processes.
Coordinate permitting processes and maintain related schedules.
Monitor and document design changes, minimizing scope creep.
Lead design risk management, including cost‑benefit analyses for RFIs and changes.
Integrate Health & Safety: complete Safety Risk Assessments, introduce Hierarchy of Controls, and incorporate logistics planning.
Coordinate between VDC (Virtual Design & Construction) and design teams to align digital modeling, clash detection, and constructability reviews.
Maintain tools for tracking design issues and changes.
Promote a design‑build mindset and collaboration across disciplines.
Oversee and validate design team invoices.

Construction Integration

Communicate design scope and intent to construction teams.
Support the development of construction budgets from design estimates.
Assist in trade contractor/supplier scope definition and procurement.
Provide feedback for future bids and risk assessments.
Resolve scope conflicts and develop recovery plans.
Ensure design team responsiveness to field issues and facilitate risk‑mitigating solutions.

Quality, Compliance & Documentation

Oversee design QA/QC for regulatory and standards compliance.
Improve documentation of design basis and assumptions.
Emphasize the importance of delivering the proposed design and managing scope changes.

Qualifications

Experience / Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
10+ years’ experience in design/project management for large‑scale construction.
Proven experience with advanced delivery models (Design‑Build, IPD, P3, EPC).
Strong understanding of design‑to‑budget, constructability, and risk management.
Experience establishing and executing departmental processes and procedures.
Experience with Assumptions Management, Change Management, requirement tracking, and Corrective Action Programs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Excellent communication, leadership, and team‑building skills.
Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and drive consensus.
Proficiency in design and construction management software/tools.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: $123,600 – $225,000 plus benefits and retirement program. Gilbane offers competitive health and welfare benefits, a generous profit‑sharing/401(k) plan, and extensive training opportunities through Gilbane University.

Qualified applicants must pass a pre‑employment substance abuse test.

EEO Statement

Gilbane is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Recruiter Notice

Gilbane does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Please do not forward unsolicited agency resumes to our jobs alias, website, or to any Gilbane employee. Unsolicited resumes are considered Gilbane property and will be processed accordingly.

Job Details