Design Manager

Design Manager

Location: Blyth, United Kingdom
Employment Type: Full-time
Working Arrangement: On-site
Sector: Data Centres / Major Construction Projects

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Design Manager to join a major data centre project in Blyth, UK.

The successful candidate will lead and manage the design delivery process across Civil, Structural, Architectural and MEP disciplines, ensuring designs are fully coordinated, compliant and delivered in line with project programmes, specifications and construction requirements.

This is a senior role requiring strong design leadership, technical coordination and stakeholder management experience, ideally gained on large-scale and complex construction projects.

Key Responsibilities

Lead engagement with the client''s design team on project-wide design and services coordination.

Manage in-house design teams and external consultants to ensure timely design progression.

Plan and lead design and engineering workshops, resolving design issues ahead of construction activities.

Manage the Technical Submittal (TS) process, ensuring compliance with project specifications and timely approvals.

Provide technical leadership across the design team.

Manage design queries and RFIs, maintaining accurate records and coordinating weekly design meetings.

Oversee Issued for Construction (IFC) drawings and design releases, ensuring project teams are working to the latest approved information.

Manage design changes and associated change-control processes.

Lead weekly design and engineering coordination meetings with internal and external stakeholders.

Maintain the design risk register and communicate key risks, mitigation measures and actions to senior management and the client.

Manage Safety in Design, design risk and change-control requirements.

Coordinate design and submittal processes for FFE packages within administrative areas.

Prepare and deliver weekly design progress reports, highlighting progress, risks and mitigation measures.

Coordinate contractor construction drawings and models, ensuring they are reviewed, approved and issued in accordance with project requirements.

Oversee as-built drawings and model submissions to meet project handover requirements.

Coordinate the submission of O&M manuals and project documentation through approved client platforms.

Manage and coordinate LEED design requirements, working with the client and LEED consultants to ensure compliance.

Ensure project quality plans and QA/QC procedures are implemented and maintained.

Liaise with Temporary Works Designers and the client''s design management team regarding temporary works, traffic management and design risk assessments.

Coordinate with client-appointed OFCI vendors, ensuring technical submissions and deliveries align with project specifications and programme requirements.

Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, standards and local codes.

Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years'' experience managing design delivery on large-scale construction projects.
• Experience across data centres, commercial, industrial, healthcare, education or major fit-out projects.
• Data centre experience is highly desirable.
• Degree qualification in an appropriate engineering, architectural or construction-related discipline.
• Strong understanding of design management principles, construction sequencing and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Experience managing design teams, consultants, contractors and client stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of design coordination, technical submissions, RFIs, IFC documentation and design change control.
• Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and deliver effectively within demanding project programmes.
• Strong understanding of construction quality, design risk and regulatory compliance.

The Opportunity

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Design Manager to join a major hyperscale data centre project and take responsibility for multidisciplinary design coordination and technical delivery throughout the project lifecycle.