Design Manager

Data Center Design Manager (MEP)

Location: Chicago

Up to 140,000 per year

Our client is a leading technology infrastructure company that specializes in delivering innovative, sustainable, and adaptive Data Center solutions for global hyperscale and enterprise customers. With a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, its Data Centers are designed to reduce energy, water, and space requirements, offering businesses a competitive advantage in sustainability and reliability.

This company’s intelligent infrastructure allows for seamless scaling within the same footprint while maintaining industry-leading Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). Operating Data Centers across strategic locations in North America and Latin America, our client continues to expand its footprint to meet the growing demands of the industry.

The role:

As Data Center Design Manager you will play a critical leadership role in managing the design process for construction projects, primarily focused on MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) systems. This role requires overseeing the design phases from inception through to customer handover, with a strong emphasis on preconstruction and design management. You will be responsible for coordinating with various teams, including land enablement, external design teams, and internal project managers, ensuring the alignment of design deliverables with customer and business requirements. This role also focuses on risk management, compliance, and the continuous improvement of design efficiency while maintaining close collaboration with all project stakeholders.

Duties:

• Lead and manage the onboarding of third-party design teams and create a design schedule to support project needs, ensuring alignment with project timelines and milestones.
• Oversee the management of the external design team through project completion, ensuring design progression, quality, and compliance with Aligned Design Efficiency Capture (DEC), Cost Control Log (CCL), and Complies, Deviates, Excludes (CDE) matrices.
• Coordinate with the Construction Manager (CM) and other stakeholders to ensure smooth project delivery, focusing on design review cycles, budget management, and the integration of customer requirements into construction plans, all while maintaining clear communication and timely updates throughout the project's lifecycle.
• Adaptability & Problem Solving: Demonstrates the ability to adapt to changing environments, competing demands, and unexpected events while efficiently resolving issues. Uses analytical skills to make sound decisions and manage complex workflows, ensuring timely problem resolution.
• Project Management & Business Acumen: Leads projects from conception to completion, managing budgets, timelines, and resources while aligning efforts with strategic business goals. Possesses strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills to ensure successful project execution and customer satisfaction.

Essentials:

• Relevant Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or equivalent, with 5 years of experience managing commercial construction design programs, ideally with data center experience.
• Mechanical/Electrical Expertise: Preferred background in Mechanical/Electrical systems to effectively manage design requirements for data centers.
• Advanced Technical Skills: Proficiency in Excel, Smartsheets, AutoCAD, and the ability to interpret construction drawings and specifications.
• Strong Communication & Organizational Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication, the ability to manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines while maintaining discretion and confidentiality.
• Project Cost & Schedule Management: Knowledge of construction cost estimating, scope development, and the ability to assess and forecast the impact of design and schedule changes on project costs.

Benefits:

• 401k with employer match
• bonus opportunities
• paid time off
• wellness benefits
• professional development opportunities, all designed to support your well-being and career growth

Candidates MUST have US Citizenship.