Senior Design Manager Job at Aligned Data Centers in Northlake

Overview

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JOB TITLE : Senior Design Manager

DEPARTMENT : Platform Delivery

REPORTS TO : Director, Design Management or Reg. Director, Platform Execution

Summary

This individual will support all aspects of major technical programs that are targeting both colocation and hyperscale builds, including oversight of employees and third-party organizations engaged in the preconstruction, design and construction phases. Working under supervision, this role requires strong communication skills and demonstrates advanced organizational and time management competencies. A successful Design Manager with Aligned will possess a hunger to drive efficiencies and innovation, the humility to understand we are all working together during the construction process, and a heart to provide exceptional service to both internal and external customers and vendors.

Duties And Responsibilities

Drive projects from inception through customer or business turnover, with heavy focus and leadership in the preconstruction and design phases of projects. The Design Manager assumes project lead role at design hand-off meeting from the land enablement team and shifts overall project leadership to the Construction Manager (CM) at GC mobilization.

In conjunction with CM, support day-to-day program activities and initiatives (engage with architects, consultants, equipment providers, GCs, etc.). Coordinate all project activities with building Operations while promoting safety and compliance initiatives and requirements on site.

Performs as the primary support role to the CM from GC mobilization to turnover to Operations.

Integrates with the sales and solutions engineering teams during the revenue generation process to meet with customers and ensure technical deliverables are met.

Interfaces with customers through fit out design, construction and integration; accountable to successful delivery of customer contracts.

Manages the project with the business in mind and works to ensure the project is meeting directives of CRC / SLT / Board.

Operates with a mindset of continuous improvement, creativity, efficiency and innovation.

Lead several design management project teams with the possibility of growing into leadership of multiple projects within multiple buildings in a campus or region, directly responsible for the accountability of direct reports for the duties and responsibilities listed above.

Direct Accountabilities

Coordination / communication with the land enablement group to ensure success with offsite improvements, early permitting, easements and environmental studies.

Coordination / creation of project risk registers from land enablement phase through project completion / turnover to Aligned Operations.

Project Design Management

Lead / coordinate onboarding of third-party design team and creation of design schedule to support project needs.

Oversee management of external third-party design team through project completion / turnover to Aligned Operations.

Drive review and management of design deliverables; including stakeholder review and comment cycles.

Hold design team accountable to design progression and design gating.

Work with SMEs, Operations, and CMs to ensure design compliance with Aligned Design Efficiency Capture (DEC).

Identify design variances, track them and manage acquisition of necessary approvals, as required.

Enforce design team’s accountability to Aligned’s Cost Control Log (CCL) and Complies, Deviates, Excludes (CDE) matrices.

Operate in close coordination with the CM on each project to ensure proper communications / escalations and regular reporting to all internal and external parties and leadership / management.

Create, manage and update project metrics in Smartsheets (project dashboards) for each project.

Own or direct all administrative duties related to design management process.

Assist CM with building and maintaining budget / cost models for each project, specifically around design costs and timelines. Work with CM to prepare and present all funding requests.

Coordinate with CM to prepare and present quarterly project updates for leadership.

Conduct technical review of construction plans within data center environments. Communicate conceptual designs to internal teams with required project documentation prior to and during construction.

Cross reference to customer requirements as needed.

Strongly Desired Working Experience And Knowledge Of

Design engineering experience

Building design process and design deliverables management

Management of design teams

Exposure to IPD, Design-Build, and / or construction management

Data center design / construction experience, specifically with MEP systems

Project Management Software (MS Projects, Prolog, Procore, BIM 360, or similar)

Knowledge and experience working with CAD is a plus

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering or equivalent

9+ years progressive experience in successfully managing commercial construction project design programs, with data center experience strongly preferred

Mechanical / Electrical background preferred

Advanced experience in Excel, Smartsheets and / or AutoCAD

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Ability to multi-task, with strong time and change management / organizational skills

Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality

Ability to understand and follow clear directions and meet specific deadlines with reporting, communication, and project schedules

Team player across the organization with strong communication skills

Ability to interpret construction drawings and specifications

Knowledge of construction cost estimating methods and development of scopes of work

Ability to understand construction project scopes

Able to monitor and interpret design and schedule changes and forecast their impact on overall project costs

May travel, at times, up to 25%

General Competencies

Adaptability

Analytical

Business Acumen

Change Management

Cost Consciousness

Customer Service

Dependability

Diversity

Ethics

Innovation

Interpersonal Skills

Judgement

Motivation

Oral Communication

Organizational Support

Planning / Organizing

Problem Solving

Professionalism

Project Management

Quality

Safety and Security

Strategic Thinking

Teamwork

Written Communication

Physical Demands And Work Environment

Frequently required to stand / walk / sit

Frequently required to bend / climb

Frequently required to utilize hand and finger dexterity

Occasionally work near moving mechanical parts

Compensation

$175k - $185k

Benefits

Health Coverage : Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement Savings : 401(k) plan with company match

Paid Time Off and Holiday Pay

Company‑ Sponsored Insurance : Short-Term Disability, Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability (with medical election)

Optional Benefits : Voluntary life, critical illness, legal and disability coverage

Wellness Programs : EAP, Wellhub gym membership and other wellness initiatives

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Aligned is committed to transparency and fostering a positive employee experience. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform essential functions, contact our People & Culture team. Accommodation requests are reviewed case-by-case in accordance with applicable laws.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Design, Art / Creative, and Information Technology

Industries

IT Services and IT Consulting

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