Senior Associate, Data Center Design Management, North America

Ares Management Corporation; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental plans

401(k) with company match

Flex savings accounts

Employee assistance program

Education sponsorship program

Job summary

Ares Management Corporation is seeking a Senior Associate, Data Center Design Management, to lead the coordination of external architect and engineering teams. Located in Bellevue, Washington, this role emphasizes the seamless integration of building and critical systems to deliver high-quality data center designs.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience in data center design management, ensuring project objectives are met while adhering to strict timelines. A comprehensive benefits package, including medical plans, 401(k), and performance-based bonuses, is offered.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in design management of data center or similar projects.
• Proven ability to lead delivery of high-quality design packages under compressed schedules.
• Solid understanding of planning, zoning, and entitlement processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead coordination and management of design teams for data center projects.
• Define and manage deliverables and performance expectations.
• Drive delivery of design and engineering packages within timelines.

Skills

Design management

Coordination of engineering teams

Data center design principles

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Engineering

Tools

Project management tools

Job description

Ada Infrastructure is a global data center business committed to being a positive force for technology, people, and the planet. As part of the digital infrastructure platform of Ares Management Corporation (NYSE:ARES), a leading global alternative investment manager, Ada Infrastructure is positioned to be a leader in the industry in reliable, safe, secure, and sustainable digital infrastructure. With eight in-flight campuses across Japan, the UK, and Brazil, we have over 850 MW of power currently available and more than 1,500 MW in our global pipeline.

Job Description Summary

As the Senior Associate, Data Center Design Management (North America), you will lead the coordination and management of external architect and engineering consultant teams to deliver fully integrated data center designs that meet customer requirements. This role focuses on driving alignment across disciplines, ensuring seamless integration of all building and critical systems, and maintaining high-quality deliverables under compressed timelines. You bring a strong understanding of data center systems and design processes, with the ability to manage complexity, competing priorities, and fast‑paced project demands. You will partner closely with internal development, construction, and commercial teams to ensure designs are coordinated, feasible, and aligned with project objectives. Knowledge of planning, zoning, and entitlement processes is required to support our site development team.

Responsibilities

• Design manage external consultant teams including architects, engineers, and specialty consultants to produce coordinated, high-quality data center designs.
• Define and manage scope, deliverables, and performance expectations for consultants, ensuring adherence to schedule, budget, and quality standards.
• Lead coordination across all design disciplines to ensure fully integrated building and infrastructure solutions that meet our project objectives and customer requirements.
• Drive delivery of design and engineering packages within aggressive timelines, maintaining a high level of quality and completeness.
• Partner with development teams to support planning, zoning, and entitlement efforts, ensuring design alignment with jurisdictional requirements and approval processes.
• Support responses to customer requests for proposals (RFPs) by contributing to technical narratives, design approaches, and solution development.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders across sales, development, EH&S, security, construction, and operations to ensure stakeholder requirements are coordinated with customer requirements.
• Monitor consultant performance and proactively manage risks related to coordination, schedule, and deliverable quality.
• Support budget tracking and management of consultant contracts and invoicing.

Skills & Experience

• Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in design management of data center or similarly complex technical projects.
• Proven experience managing architect and engineering consultant teams and coordinating multi-disciplinary design efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to lead the delivery of high-quality design packages under compressed schedules.
• Working knowledge of planning, zoning, and entitlement processes and their impact on design and development.
• Strong understanding of data center design principles and integrated building systems (MEP, structural, etc.).
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with a focus on execution and accountability.
• Proficiency in relevant design and project management tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Architecture or Engineering.
• Experience working on hyperscale or high-density data center projects.
• Exposure to modular or prefabricated construction approaches.
• Experience supporting client-facing technical discussions and solution development.

Reporting Relationships

The Senior Associate, Data Center Design Management reports to the Senior Director of Data Center Operations.

Compensation

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $140,000.00 – $160,000.00. Total compensation may also include a discretionary performance-based bonus. The firm also offers robust benefits offerings. Ares U.S. Core Benefits include comprehensive medical/Rx, dental and vision plans; 401(k) program with company match; flexible savings accounts (FSA); healthcare savings accounts (HSA) with company contribution; basic and voluntary life insurance; long-term disability (LTD) and short-term disability (STD) insurance; employee assistance program (EAP), and commuter benefits plan for parking and transit. Ares offers a number of additional benefits including access to a world‑class medical advisory team, a mental health app that includes coaching, therapy and psychiatry, a mindfulness and wellbeing app, financial wellness benefit that includes access to a financial advisor, new parent leave, reproductive and adoption assistance, emergency backup care, matching gift program, education sponsorship program, and much more.

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the search is no longer active.