Design Manager Data Centres

Always wanted to challenge the obvious and make great things happen? At Goodman we create space for your greatness.

Our organization is a dynamic and innovative real estate company, serving as both a developer and investor with a primary focus on logistics real estate. We are expanding our portfolio to include cutting-edge data centre development projects and are therefore seeking experienced data centre professionals.

Goodman is seeking an experienced Design Manager (based in Frankfurt) to join our expanding Data Centre project team. As the Design Manager, you will play a pivotal role in our data centre projects, working closely with the Project Manager, the wider project team, external consultants, and contractors. Your primary responsibilities will include managing consultant contracts, overseeing the Contractor's design efforts, and ensuring that the design aligns with project objectives, delivering high-quality, cost-effective solutions.

More concretely, this means:

Key Responsibilities:
Tender, Contracting, and Vendor Management:

+ Prepare and execute Architectural and Engineering Consultant Agreements, clearly defining

Scope of Work, Services, and Fees based on the Owner's Project Requirements (OPR).

+ Lead the procurement process for services, including managing Request for Proposals

(RFPs), and evaluate proposals to justify selections.

+ Review and approve consultant invoices, proactively managing project budgets, and leading

value engineering initiatives to ensure cost alignment.

+ Oversee consultant workload distribution to ensure balanced output and the delivery of quality

design work.

Design & Project Management

+ Collaborate with Project and Cost Managers to develop and manage project-specific design

work plans, schedules, and budgets.

+ Collaborate with all project team members and internal stakeholders to ensure all aspects of

the design are reviewed and approved as required

+ Supervise the project design team (internal and external) to deliver high-quality design

solutions.

+ Represent the organization in regular design and project meetings, providing stakeholders

with updates on design elements and any changes.

+ Oversee design development and ensure the production of accurate construction documents

and specifications.

Design Review and Validation

+ Oversee and supervise the Contractor's design efforts, especially during RIBA Stage 4

(Technical Design) and RIBA Stage 5 (Construction), ensuring the designs adhere to the

contract documentation.

+ Ensure that the Contractor's design aligns with local specifics such as climate, workforce

standards, and regulatory requirements.

+ Monitor the consistency between the OPR and construction documents, flagging and

documenting any deviations for resolution.

+ Conduct regular QA/QC reviews of the Contractor's design submissions, ensuring all

deliverables meet the project's quality standards and compliance requirements.

+ Ensure close collaboration with the Contractor during construction to resolve design issues

swiftly and ensure alignment between design and site execution.

Change Management

+ Review and manage (end-user driven) design change requests during all stages of design.

+ Provide design input to balance end-user requirements with project constraints.

+ Ensure customer requirements are interpreted, verified, and documented, aiming for a 100% satisfaction rate.

Collaboration and Communication:

+ Lead cost/time-benefit analyses and present solutions that meet project goals.

+ Coordinate design presentations between the company and consultants, ensuring thorough

review and approvals.

+ Support project team in presenting design solutions to stakeholders, including end-users.

+ Collaborate effectively with the entire project team, ensuring that any proposed exceptions or

changes are communicated and understood by all stakeholders.

Compliance and Risk Management:

+ Ensure full adherence to design standards, documenting any deviations after reaching a

consensus with the relevant stakeholders.

+ Identify and manage design-related risks, developing mitigation strategies to ensure the

project remains on track.

Qualifications:
Education & experience

+ Degree in Design, Architecture, Engineering, or a related field.

+ Minimum of 5 years of experience in data centres or specialized facilities, focusing on CSA

and MEP systems development.

+ Experience leading multi-disciplinary design teams and managing new construction, tenant

improvements, and capital improvement projects.

+ Proven expertise in consultant negotiation and management.

Knowledge, skills & abilities

+ Strong understanding of contractual obligations, building regulations, and project delivery

frameworks (RIBA).

+ Proficient in interpreting design and construction drawings, project schedules, budgets, and

cost estimates.

+ Strong understanding of Civil, Structural, Mechanical, and Electrical design concepts.

+ Expertise in construction projects, particularly data centres, with a strong focus on MEP

systems.

+ Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and drafting software (AutoCAD, Revit);

PMP or PgMP certification is a plus.

+ Familiarity with building code regulations in countries where we operate (NL, DE or FR).

+ Excellent communication, coordination, and presentation skills.

+ Ability to develop creative solutions to reduce costs while maintaining high standards.

+ Experience in guiding new design concepts through detailed design, peer review,

construction, and operational phases.

Not sure if you fit the profile? Let's find out together

But first, let us introduce ourselves a little more: 

Goodman Group is a provider of essential infrastructure. We own, develop and manage high quality, sustainable logistics properties and data centers in major global cities, that are critical to the digital economy. Goodman operates in key consumer markets in 15 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. We are the largest property group listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and invest significantly alongside our capital partners in our investment Partnerships. Our Continental European headquarter is based in Belgium and we are active in 7 European countries, including offices in Amsterdam, Brussels, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich, Luxembourg, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan and Paris. 

Our culture is based on collaboration, ownership and seizing the opportunity. We take full responsibility for our work, support each other's success and make room for growth for everyone. 

How do we look at the world of tomorrow?

At Goodman we believe we all have a role to play in safeguarding the future for next generations. Therefore, sustainability is the driving force behind everything we do. Not only do we foster a sustainable and inclusive working environment for all our employees but also, throughout all our projects, we are continuously engaged in a process to assess its sustainability. Each aspect of the properties' lifecycle is scrutinized on its future proofness for decades to come, resulting in a low ecological footprint over time. At Goodman, we believe it's not enough to talk the talk — we also need to walk the walk. 

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