Spencer Ogden
Senior Design Manager - Data Centres
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Senior Design Manager – Hyperscale Data Centres
Location: West London
Sector: Data Centres / Technical Construction
Employment: Permanent
Working Pattern: Hybrid
About the Company
Our client is an established design, construction and engineering business operating across the data centre, defence and energy sectors. With over 40 years of industry experience, the business provides integrated services spanning site acquisition, architecture, refurbishment, construction and project delivery through to client occupancy.
Operating as a main contractor, the company delivers technically complex projects for major clients, with a strong focus on commercial performance, quality and successful project delivery.
The Project
The successful candidate will initially join a major hyperscale data centre development in West London.
The development involves preparing a brownfield site for the construction of two new hyperscale data centres, alongside an office building, substation and associated infrastructure. The project also includes significant utility diversions, ground remediation, site re-levelling and enabling works.
This is a substantial, technically complex development offering the opportunity to contribute to the delivery of critical digital infrastructure.
The Role
The Senior Design Manager will lead design management across major, technically complex construction projects, providing strategic oversight of design performance, governance and risk throughout the project lifecycle.
Working closely with project leadership, clients, consultants, contractors and wider delivery teams, the successful candidate will ensure design activities align with programme, procurement, construction, commissioning and commercial objectives.
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Experience Required
- Significant experience managing design delivery across major construction projects.
- Demonstrable experience leading multidisciplinary design teams.
- Strong understanding of contractual, technical and statutory requirements.
- Experience managing design governance, programme, risk and commercial performance.
- Proven track record of delivering value engineering and design optimisation.
- Experience developing, mentoring and supporting design management teams.
Qualifications
- Relevant industry qualification, such as RIBA, CIOB, ICE or equivalent.
- Degree qualified or equivalent.
- Chartered status desirable.
- Valid CSCS card.
Key Responsibilities
Design Leadership and Governance
- Lead design management activities across major projects.
- Establish effective design governance, reporting and control processes.
- Provide advice and assurance to project leadership on design performance and delivery.
Design Delivery Strategy
- Develop and implement design strategies aligned with project objectives.
- Ensure design activities support procurement, construction and commissioning.
- Identify and manage design risks and opportunities throughout the project lifecycle.
Technical Assurance and Compliance
- Ensure compliance with contractual, technical and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee design reviews, approvals and validation processes.
- Promote technical excellence and Safety in Design principles.
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Commercial and Risk Management
- Drive value engineering and design optimisation initiatives.
- Manage design change control and assess commercial implications.
- Support the achievement of cost, quality and programme objectives.
Stakeholder and Client Management
- Act as a senior interface between clients, consultants and project teams.
- Lead design workshops, technical reviews and approval processes.
- Develop strong, long-term stakeholder relationships.
People and Leadership
- Lead, mentor and develop Design Managers and Assistant Design Managers.
- Promote consistent design management standards and best practice.
- Support succession planning and the development of team capability.
Continuous Improvement
- Improve design management systems, processes and reporting.
- Encourage innovation, digital design tools and the sharing of lessons learned.
Measures of Success
- Compliance with contractual and design requirements.
- Effective design programme management.
- Proactive design risk management.
- Strong value engineering and commercial outcomes.
- Development and performance of the design management team.
- Positive client and stakeholder relationships.
Benefits
- Competitive pension scheme.
- Electric vehicle scheme.
- Private healthcare and healthcare cash plan.
- Eyecare vouchers.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Additional day off for your birthday.
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