Design Manager (1921)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager (1921)

Company: CoreSite

Location: Los Angeles, California, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Design & Construction Management / Operations

Date Posted: May 01, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days onsite per week)

🚀 Role Summary

• Manages the end-to-end design process for capital expenditure projects, with a strong emphasis on interior retrofits and infrastructure upgrades within live, operating data center facilities.

• Orchestrates design timelines, deliverables, scope changes, and budgets, ensuring meticulous coordination among internal and external stakeholders to minimize customer disruption.

• Drives innovation in retrofit and upgrade scenarios by staying abreast of emerging trends and new technologies, contributing to CoreSite's operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Provides critical design and engineering due diligence support for potential facility acquisitions, assessing feasibility and identifying potential risks.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is distinctly focused on the complexities of managing design within existing, operational data center environments, differentiating it from ground-up development. The emphasis on interior retrofits, infrastructure upgrades, and minimizing customer disruption highlights the need for a candidate with deep experience in occupied-facility project execution and a strong understanding of operational realities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee the design management lifecycle for capital expenditure projects, including mechanical, electrical, and architectural improvements within existing CoreSite facilities nationwide.

• Manage interior retrofit projects, legacy building re-positioning, and phased interior buildouts to meet current product standards and customer deployment readiness.

• Develop and manage project budgets and schedules for design and permitting activities, tracking against actuals and reporting variances.

• Facilitate design meetings, ensuring accurate minutes, clear action item assignment, and timely stakeholder input and approvals across multi-phase design reviews.

• Ensure design consultants adhere to CoreSite's Owner's Project Requirements (OPR) and account for the operational realities of occupied facilities.

• Manage the building permit process from design submission through final permit issuance for retrofit, remodel, and interior buildout project types across various U.S. jurisdictions.

• Proactively research, interpret, and apply jurisdictional building codes, permitting requirements, and plan review procedures nationwide.

• Coordinate directly with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), third-party permit expediters, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely approvals and mitigate schedule risks.

• Support regulatory permit identification, planning, and procurement for air quality, environmental approvals, and other agency authorizations relevant to upgrade and retrofit scopes.

• Provide periodic design and engineering due diligence support for potential facility acquisitions, including building assessments, test fits, and design feasibility reviews.

• Collaborate closely with Construction, Engineering, Operations, and other departments to ensure their inputs are incorporated into designs and to facilitate smooth project handoffs.

• Capture project lessons learned, refine processes, and update documentation, with a particular emphasis on retrofit and in-place project contexts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly indicate a need for a candidate adept at managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects within a live operational environment. The emphasis on permitting across diverse jurisdictions and due diligence support for acquisitions suggests a role that requires significant regulatory understanding and analytical rigor.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related field.

Experience: A minimum of five years of combined design management or construction experience, with a significant focus on existing building retrofits, renovations, or tenant improvement projects. Data center experience is highly preferred.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated experience managing projects across multiple geographies or jurisdictions simultaneously.

• Strong understanding of building permitting requirements for existing building modifications, remodels, and interior improvements.

• Proven ability to manage design consultants and coordinate cross-functional teams in fast-paced project environments.

• Excellent project management skills, including budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation.

• Strong problem-solving abilities with a focus on practical, timely solutions.

• Detail-oriented with exceptional organization and project management capabilities.

• Proficiency in document control and retention processes.

• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present effectively to various organizational levels.

• Ability to review vendor cost estimates and value engineering proposals for validity and alignment with project intent.

• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to build strong team relationships and partnerships across organizational lines.

• High degree of integrity and a proactive approach to work.

• Demonstrated understanding of the design and construction challenges associated with retrofit, remodel, and tenant improvement work in operational environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Data center design and construction experience.

• Familiarity with CoreSite's Owner's Project Requirements (OPR) or similar project specification frameworks.

• Experience with specific project management software relevant to design and construction.

• Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and architectural systems commonly found in data centers.

• Experience supporting acquisition due diligence from a design and engineering perspective.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize practical, hands-on experience in managing projects within existing buildings and navigating complex regulatory landscapes. The preference for data center experience and familiarity with OPR highlights the specialized nature of this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least 2-3 significant projects demonstrating success in managing interior retrofits, renovations, or tenant improvements within operational facilities.

• For each project, clearly articulate the scope, design challenges, your specific role and responsibilities, and the outcomes achieved, particularly how customer disruption was minimized.

• Include examples of design documentation, such as schematic designs, construction drawings, or permit packages, to illustrate your understanding of design deliverables.

• Demonstrate your ability to manage project budgets and schedules, providing examples of how you tracked actuals, reported variances, and ensured timely completion.

Process Documentation:

• Evidence of developing or refining processes related to design documentation, review cycles, and drawing management.

• Examples of how you have captured lessons learned from projects and used them to improve future design and construction processes.

• Documentation illustrating your approach to defining project needs, constraints, and goals in collaboration with internal stakeholders.

• Samples of meeting minutes or action item logs that demonstrate your ability to facilitate productive design meetings and track progress.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio for this role will focus on showcasing the candidate's ability to manage complex design projects in challenging environments, with a particular emphasis on process optimization, risk mitigation, and successful outcomes in retrofitting existing infrastructure.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Design Managers with 5-10 years of experience in a major metropolitan area like Los Angeles, the estimated annual salary range is $100,000 - $130,000. This range accounts for the specialized nature of data center retrofits and the required project management expertise.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness:

  • First-day medical insurance through Cigna with generous premium cost coverage.
  • Dental insurance through Delta Dental.
  • Vision insurance through VSP.
  • Telemedicine through MDLive for Cigna.
  • Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) plans.
  • Health saving account (HSA) plans for employees participating in the High Deductible Health Plan.

• Financial Security & Growth:

  • Life, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance fully paid by the company.
  • Voluntary coverage benefits for supplemental life, critical illness, accident, and hospital insurance.
  • First-day eligibility for 401(k) savings plan through Fidelity, with an attractive matching company contribution (5% match).
  • Discretionary annual bonus and equity incentive plan.
  • Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) with a 15% discount.

• Work-Life Balance & Development:

  • 16 days of paid time off (PTO).
  • 11 paid company holidays and additional floating holidays.
  • Additional paid time off for school events, elder care, volunteering, bereavement, jury duty, voting, parental leave, and disability leave.
  • Free parking or a company contribution toward a public transit pass.
  • Wellness Reimbursement Program: Yearly stipend of $500 for employees and $300 for dependents.
  • Wellness Incentive Program: Earn up to $450 per year in cash incentives for participating in wellbeing activities.
  • Technology Stipend: $100 monthly stipend.
  • Educational Reimbursement Program: Up to $5,250 per year for work-related learning and development.

• Additional Perks:

  • Charitable donation matches up to $5,000 per year.

  • Financial Management resources including coaching and digital tools.

  • Pet Insurance.

  • Family Planning benefits and services.

  • Employee Assistance Program (24x7 support).

  • Counseling and Caregiving Programs, including mental health services.

  • Referral Bonus: $3,000 cash bonus for referred candidates who are hired.

  • Discounts on thousands of brands.

  • LinkedIn Learning Membership. Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, estimated at 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement requiring at least two days per week onsite. Flexibility may be required based on project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on the role, experience level, and location, aligning with industry standards for similar positions in the Los Angeles area. The extensive benefits package demonstrates CoreSite's commitment to employee well-being and professional development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: CoreSite operates within the critical digital infrastructure sector, specifically focusing on high-performance data centers and interconnection solutions. This industry is characterized by rapidly evolving technology, stringent uptime requirements, and a high degree of specialization. The company's role is vital for enabling digital transformation and supporting the growth of cloud computing, content delivery, and enterprise IT infrastructure.

Company Size: CoreSite is a significant player in the data center market, indicating a company with established processes, a professional structure, and opportunities for impact within a larger organization. This size typically means resources are available, but individual contributions are still highly visible and valued.

Founded: Founded with a vision to provide essential digital infrastructure, CoreSite has a history rooted in operational excellence and strategic growth within the data center industry. This implies a stable, experienced organization that values long-term vision and execution.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will be part of the Corporate Development team, working closely with two regionally focused Development & Design Managers. This structure suggests a collaborative environment where specialized expertise is leveraged across different project types (ground-up vs. interior retrofits).

• The role requires extensive cross-functional collaboration with departments such as Construction, Engineering, Operations, General Management, IT, Network Operations, Product, and Security.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: CoreSite emphasizes operational excellence and a commitment to data in its operations, suggesting that design decisions will be informed by performance metrics, efficiency considerations, and lessons learned.

• Process Optimization: The company culture values innovation for improvement, indicating a focus on refining workflows, documentation, and project execution strategies, particularly for retrofit scenarios.

• Collaborative Execution: CoreSite fosters a team-focused environment where wins are celebrated collectively, and ownership is encouraged, pointing to a collaborative approach to problem-solving and project delivery.

Company Website: https://www.coresite.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture's emphasis on operational excellence, innovation, and team collaboration is highly relevant for a Design Manager role focused on complex, operational environments. The structure of the Development & Design team and the expected cross-functional engagement highlight the collaborative nature of the position.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Design Manager role is positioned at a mid-to-senior level within the development and design function. It requires a seasoned professional with at least five years of direct experience and a proven track record in managing specific types of projects (retrofits, tenant improvements) within operational facilities. The scope involves managing multiple projects concurrently, demonstrating a capacity for independent work and strategic oversight.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to the Vice President of Development & Design, indicating direct exposure to senior leadership and opportunities to influence strategic design and capital expenditure decisions. Collaboration with regional Development & Design Managers suggests a peer-level interaction for knowledge sharing and process alignment.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's work directly impacts CoreSite's ability to enhance and expand its existing data center infrastructure efficiently and cost-effectively. By managing retrofits and upgrades, the role contributes to maintaining and improving the company's product standards, enhancing customer satisfaction through optimized deployments, and supporting the overall strategic growth and asset optimization of the company's national portfolio. Successful project execution ensures revenue streams are maintained and expanded while minimizing operational risks.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in data center design for occupied facilities, becoming a go-to expert for complex retrofit projects and infrastructure upgrades.

• Leadership Progression: Potential to move into a Senior Design Manager role, overseeing larger or more strategic projects, or transitioning into a leadership position within the broader Development & Design team.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Develop a broader understanding of data center operations, construction management, and acquisition due diligence, opening doors to roles in those areas.

• Process Improvement Leadership: Lead initiatives to refine CoreSite's design and permitting processes, particularly for retrofit scenarios, contributing to organizational efficiency and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role offers a clear path for career advancement within the specialized field of data center design management, with opportunities to deepen technical expertise, take on greater project complexity, and influence strategic development processes.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role operates under a hybrid work arrangement, requiring at least two days per week onsite at a CoreSite office, likely in the Los Angeles area. The remaining days can be worked remotely. This model supports focused individual work while maintaining team cohesion and in-person collaboration.

Office Location(s): While the primary location is Los Angeles, California, the role involves up to 20% travel across CoreSite's national portfolio. This necessitates flexibility to visit various data center sites for project oversight, site visits, and stakeholder meetings.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The hybrid model is designed to foster both independent work and collaborative interactions, encouraging team members to connect in person for brainstorming, problem-solving, and relationship building.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to standard office technology and potentially specialized design and project management software is expected. The role will involve working with digital design files, project management platforms, and communication tools.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for direct interaction with the Vice President of Development & Design, regional managers, and cross-functional teams will be integral to the role, facilitating knowledge sharing and project alignment.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is expected to be around 40 hours per week. While flexibility is inherent in a hybrid role, adherence to project deadlines and stakeholder availability may require adjustments. The focus is on delivering results and ensuring project milestones are met, regardless of the exact daily schedule, within the framework of CoreSite's operational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid work environment balances flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration and site visits, essential for a role managing physical infrastructure projects across a national portfolio. The up to 20% travel is a key consideration for candidates.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application to assess alignment with the required qualifications and experience, particularly regarding project management in existing facilities and data center familiarity.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the Vice President of Development & Design to delve into your experience, project management methodologies, understanding of design and permitting processes, and cultural fit with CoreSite's values. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past projects.

• Technical/Panel Interview: This stage may involve meeting with other members of the Development & Design team, Construction, or Operations to assess your technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines. Expect scenario-based questions related to managing complex retrofits and permitting challenges.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where you will present selected projects from your portfolio. Focus on projects that best illustrate your experience with interior retrofits, infrastructure upgrades, managing design consultants, and navigating permitting in operational environments.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader within the organization to confirm fit and discuss overall strategic alignment.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best demonstrate your experience in managing interior retrofits, renovations, or tenant improvements within live, operational facilities. Prioritize projects where you faced significant design or permitting challenges and successfully overcame them.

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the specific outcomes, such as cost savings achieved through value engineering, time saved in permitting processes, reduction in customer disruption, or adherence to budget and schedule. Use metrics wherever possible.

• Highlight Collaboration: Showcase instances where you effectively collaborated with internal stakeholders (Operations, Construction, IT) and external partners (architects, engineers, permitting authorities). Explain how you managed diverse inputs and ensured alignment.

• Showcase Process: Detail your approach to design management, including how you initiated projects, managed design consultants, conducted reviews, and ensured compliance with OPR. If applicable, share how you contributed to process improvements.

• Prepare for Q&A: Be ready to answer in-depth questions about your decisions, challenges encountered, and lessons learned for each presented project.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Prepare for questions that present hypothetical design or permitting challenges within an operating data center. For example, "How would you approach a design change request mid-project that could impact ongoing customer operations?" or "Describe your strategy for expediting permits in a jurisdiction known for lengthy review times."

• Code Compliance Scenarios: Be ready to discuss your understanding of building codes relevant to retrofits and tenant improvements, and how you ensure compliance across different jurisdictions.

• Budget and Schedule Management: Prepare to discuss how you proactively manage project budgets and schedules, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies, especially in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes practical experience, collaborative problem-solving, and the ability to effectively communicate complex project details. A well-prepared portfolio showcasing relevant projects is crucial for demonstrating capabilities in managing design within challenging, operational environments.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management Software: Proficiency with industry-standard project management tools (e.g., Asana, Monday.com, Smartsheet, Microsoft Project) for tracking timelines, tasks, budgets, and resources.

• Design Software: Familiarity with architectural and engineering design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit) for reviewing and understanding design deliverables, even if not a primary user.

• Document Management Systems: Experience with platforms for organizing, storing, and sharing project documentation, ensuring version control and accessibility (e.g., SharePoint, Google Drive, specialized construction document management systems).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Spreadsheet Software: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets for budget tracking, variance analysis, data comparison, and creating reports.

• Presentation Software: Expertise in PowerPoint or Google Slides for creating compelling presentations of project status, design proposals, and portfolio case studies.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, an understanding of how design impacts customer-facing infrastructure and operational efficiency is beneficial. Familiarity with systems that track project lifecycles or vendor management might be advantageous.

• Experience with workflow automation tools is a plus, particularly in how they can streamline design review or permitting processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires a strong command of project management and documentation tools, along with analytical capabilities for budget and schedule tracking. Familiarity with design software for review purposes and proficiency in presentation tools are also key.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Committed to Excellence: This value translates to meticulous attention to detail in design documentation, rigorous adherence to building codes, and a commitment to delivering high-quality, functional infrastructure solutions that meet CoreSite's standards.

• Build Connections: Fostering strong working relationships with internal teams (Construction, Operations, IT) and external partners (design consultants, permitting authorities) is crucial for seamless project execution and effective problem-solving.

• Own It: Taking full responsibility for project outcomes, proactively identifying and addressing challenges, and driving projects to successful completion, even in complex, occupied facility environments.

• Do the Right Thing: Upholding integrity in all dealings, ensuring compliance with regulations and ethical standards, and making decisions that prioritize safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.

• Have Fun: Maintaining a positive and proactive attitude, even when facing project pressures, contributing to a positive team dynamic and enjoyable work environment.

• Win as a Team: Emphasizing collaborative efforts, sharing knowledge, supporting colleagues, and celebrating collective achievements in delivering projects on time and within budget.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively engaging with all relevant departments to gather input, address concerns, and ensure designs are fully integrated with operational needs, construction plans, and security protocols.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining clear, consistent, and timely communication with all stakeholders, providing regular updates on design progress, permit status, and any potential risks or changes.

• Partnership Focus: Building and maintaining strong, mutually beneficial relationships with design consultants and permitting authorities, fostering an environment of trust and efficient collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Core Values are deeply integrated into the expected behaviors and work style for this role, emphasizing a proactive, collaborative, and accountable approach to managing design projects within a high-stakes operational environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Complexity of Occupied Facilities: Designing and implementing upgrades within live data centers poses unique challenges, including minimizing disruption to ongoing operations and customer deployments, managing noise and dust, and coordinating work around live infrastructure.

• Navigating Diverse Jurisdictions: Managing permitting processes across numerous U.S. cities and counties, each with its own unique codes, review procedures, and potential for delays, requires significant adaptability and regulatory knowledge.

• Balancing Design Quality with Project Constraints: Ensuring that design solutions meet CoreSite's standards and project goals while adhering strictly to budget and schedule limitations, especially in retrofit scenarios where unforeseen conditions are common.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Effectively managing the diverse needs and expectations of various internal departments (Operations, IT, Security, Construction) and external partners, ensuring all inputs are considered and integrated into a cohesive design.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Data Center Specialization: Gaining deep expertise in the specific design and infrastructure requirements of modern data centers, focusing on mechanical, electrical, and architectural systems within operational contexts.

• Advanced Permitting Strategies: Developing sophisticated approaches to navigating complex permitting landscapes, building strong relationships with AHJs, and mitigating risks associated with plan reviews and approvals.

• Cross-Functional Skill Development: Expanding knowledge in construction management, operational requirements, IT infrastructure, and acquisition due diligence through close collaboration with respective teams.

• Process Improvement Leadership: Contributing to and potentially leading initiatives to enhance CoreSite's design and permitting processes, documentation standards, and best practices for retrofit projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents significant challenges inherent to working within operational infrastructure and complex regulatory environments, but these challenges are directly linked to substantial opportunities for professional growth and specialization within the growing data center industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to managing design projects within an active, operational data center. How do you prioritize minimizing customer disruption?" (Focus on phased approaches, communication protocols, and contingency planning.)

• "Walk me through a challenging permitting process you managed for a retrofit project. What were the key obstacles, and how did you overcome them?" (Highlight your understanding of building codes, AHJ relationships, and problem-solving skills.)

• "How do you ensure that design consultants are meeting CoreSite's Owner's Project Requirements (OPR) and delivering designs suitable for an operational environment?" (Discuss your review process, communication strategies, and methods for ensuring compliance.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of CoreSite and the data center industry, what do you see as the biggest design challenges for retrofitting existing facilities?" (Showcase your industry knowledge and proactive thinking.)

• "How do CoreSite's values, such as 'Own It' and 'Build Connections,' align with your personal work style and approach to managing projects?" (Connect your experience to the company's core principles.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the problem, your solution, and the results. Use a consistent framework (e.g., STAR method - Situation, Task, Action, Result) to tell compelling stories about your successes.

• Visual Aids: Use high-quality visuals (renderings, floor plans, photos) to illustrate project scope and complexity. Keep text on slides concise and focus on verbal explanations.

• Focus on Relevance: Emphasize projects that directly showcase your experience in interior retrofits, infrastructure upgrades, managing design consultants, and navigating permitting in operational settings. Quantify achievements whenever possible (e.g., % cost savings, time saved, disruption avoided).

• Engage Your Audience: Be prepared to answer detailed questions about your design choices, project management techniques, and problem-solving approaches. Show enthusiasm and a deep understanding of the project's lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice focuses on demonstrating practical expertise in managing complex design projects within operational environments, highlighting regulatory navigation, stakeholder management, and alignment with CoreSite's culture and values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Workable.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight specific experience in design management, construction, interior retrofits, tenant improvements, and data center projects. Quantify achievements related to budget management, scheduling, and code compliance.

• Prepare your portfolio: Select projects that best showcase your ability to manage design within operational facilities and navigate complex permitting processes. Be ready to present 2-3 key projects with clear articulation of challenges, solutions, and outcomes.

• Research CoreSite: Familiarize yourself with CoreSite's mission, values, and the types of facilities they operate. Understand their focus on operational excellence and connectivity.

• Practice your responses: Prepare for interview questions by reviewing the "Interview Preparation" section, focusing on scenario-based questions related to managing design in occupied spaces and navigating diverse jurisdictions.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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