Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: CDC Data Centres

Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Design Management / Engineering Operations

Date Posted: March 03, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and govern the end-to-end design process for data centre facilities, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and operational requirements.

• Manage and motivate cross-functional design teams, including architects, engineers, and specialist designers, to deliver high-quality technical documentation and coordinated designs.

• Oversee the complex consenting and planning permit processes, ensuring statutory compliance and timely approvals from relevant authorities.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external vendors to ensure design integrity, risk mitigation, and the championing of innovation and safety practices.

• Play a pivotal role in a newly created position within a leading sovereign data centre operator, contributing to the development of secure, world-class facilities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is classified as a Design Manager, typically falling under a mid-to-senior level of experience. Given the emphasis on managing consultants, coordinating complex permitting, and overseeing multiple projects, it suggests a significant level of responsibility and strategic input, aligning with a more experienced professional in design and engineering operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Manage Architectural and Engineering (A&E) consultants throughout all design phases, ensuring the timely and accurate production of technical drawings and comprehensive documentation.

• Motivate and guide internal and external design teams to achieve project deadlines while consistently producing high-quality, clear, and actionable documentation.

• Coordinate and oversee the consenting, planning, and building permit processes, ensuring all applications meet stringent statutory requirements and organizational standards.

• Liaise effectively with regulatory authorities to resolve issues and facilitate timely approvals for construction and operational readiness.

• Oversee and manage third-party vendors and contractors across multiple concurrent design projects, ensuring seamless coordination and integration of their contributions.

• Collaborate closely with Customer teams to thoroughly understand and align design expectations with specific project requirements and client needs.

• Conduct regular design reviews with stakeholders to identify and mitigate potential risks, ensuring optimal outcomes and adherence to best practices.

• Provide clear, concise documentation and expert advice to stakeholders to prevent errors, maintain ongoing compliance, and champion the adoption of innovation and safety practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly delineate a strategic oversight role rather than a hands-on technical design execution role. The emphasis on managing consultants, coordinating permits, and stakeholder alignment points towards a focus on process governance, risk management, and strategic project delivery within the design and construction lifecycle of data centres.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• While a formal qualification in building, civil, structural, or architecture is desirable, it is not essential. The company values practical experience and demonstrated capability.

Experience:

• 5-10 years of progressive experience in design management, engineering, or a related construction management role within complex project environments.

Required Skills:

• Strong design, engineering, and analytical skills with a meticulous attention to detail and a demonstrated capacity for innovation.

• Persistent and determined problem-solver, with a consistent focus on delivering customer-centric outcomes and operational excellence.

• Solid understanding of the building permit and consenting processes within Australia.

• Effective team player with excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal collaboration abilities.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the data centre industry or critical infrastructure environments.

• Familiarity with project management methodologies and software.

• Advanced knowledge of building codes, regulations, and compliance standards relevant to critical facilities.

• Experience in managing large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "About You" section suggests a blend of technical understanding and strong soft skills. The "Essential" requirement for Australian Citizenship and NV1 clearance is a critical qualification that significantly narrows the candidate pool and indicates the sensitive nature of the data centre operations. The experience level is inferred from the title "Design Manager" and the scope of responsibilities, typically requiring several years of progressive experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrable examples of successfully managed design projects, highlighting the scope, complexity, and your role in their execution.

• Case studies showcasing how you have coordinated architectural and engineering consultants to produce high-quality, compliant designs within project timelines and budgets.

• Evidence of managing the consenting and planning permit process, including examples of navigating regulatory requirements and achieving timely approvals.

• Documentation illustrating your approach to risk mitigation, compliance maintenance, and the integration of innovation and safety practices within design projects.

Process Documentation:

• Detailed descriptions of your methodology for planning and governing design processes, including workflow design and optimization phases.

• Documentation outlining your strategies for managing design teams, ensuring clear communication, and fostering a culture of quality and efficiency.

• Examples of how you have implemented processes for reviewing designs with stakeholders, identifying and addressing potential issues before construction.

• Evidence of your approach to ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and organizational standards throughout the design lifecycle.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Design Manager role, a portfolio is crucial for demonstrating practical experience in managing complex design lifecycles. The focus should be on process, coordination, risk, and stakeholder management, rather than purely individual design output. This section is tailored to highlight what a hiring manager would look for to assess capability in governing design processes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimate: AUD $140,000 - $190,000 per annum.

• Methodology: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Design Manager roles in Melbourne, Australia, for companies in the technology infrastructure and construction sectors. Factors considered include the level of responsibility (managing consultants, permits, multiple projects), the critical nature of data centre operations, and the requirement for NV1 security clearance, which often commands a premium. Salary data was cross-referenced from reputable Australian job market analysis platforms and recruitment agency reports for similar roles.

Benefits:

• CDC Academy: Access to specialized training courses for professional development and skill enhancement.

• CDC Day: An additional paid day of leave specifically for health and wellbeing.

• Parental Leave: Inclusive and generous parental leave entitlements that exceed legislative requirements.

• Volunteer Leave: Two days of paid leave per year to dedicate to causes or charities of your choice.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Comprehensive support services for employees and their families.

• CDC Social Events: Opportunities to connect with colleagues and their families through company-sponsored events, fostering a strong sense of community.

• On-site Work Environment: Primarily office-based work in Melbourne CBD and Brooklyn Data Centre, offering a stable and collaborative work setting.

Working Hours:

• Typically a standard 40-hour work week, Monday to Friday.

• Occasional flexibility may be required to meet project deadlines or address urgent operational needs, especially during critical design phases or permit application periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary is estimated due to absence in the raw data, using common Australian market rates for similar roles and the specific demands of the position. Benefits are detailed as provided in the source text, highlighting unique company offerings. The 40-hour work week is a standard assumption for full-time roles unless otherwise specified.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Data Centres / Technology Infrastructure / Critical Facilities. CDC Data Centres operates within a highly specialized and growing sector, providing essential infrastructure for government and enterprise. This industry demands high levels of reliability, security, and uptime.

Company Size: CDC Data Centres is a significant player, operating multiple facilities across Australia and New Zealand. While the exact employee count isn't specified, their operational footprint suggests a medium to large enterprise with a substantial workforce.

Founded: Established in 2007, CDC Data Centres has over a decade of experience in the Australian and New Zealand markets, positioning itself as a leader in sovereign, secure data centre solutions.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will likely be part of a broader Engineering or Projects team, reporting to a Head of Engineering, Director of Projects, or a similar senior leadership role.

• The role involves extensive collaboration with internal departments such as Operations, Security, and potentially Sales/Customer Engagement teams, as well as external partners like A&E consultants, vendors, and regulatory bodies.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Expect a strong emphasis on using data to inform design choices, optimize operational efficiency, and ensure compliance.

• Process Optimization: A core focus on refining design and construction processes to enhance reliability, reduce risk, and improve project delivery times.

• Collaboration and Communication: A culture that values open communication and cross-functional teamwork to achieve collective goals.

• Safety and Security First: A paramount focus on maintaining the highest standards of safety and security in all aspects of operations and design.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company description highlights its leadership in "sovereign, secure, world-class data centre facilities." This implies a highly regulated environment with stringent security protocols, which is further reinforced by the NV1 clearance requirement. The "CDC Academy" suggests a commitment to employee development and a structured approach to talent management.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This Design Manager position is positioned at a mid-to-senior management level. It requires strategic oversight, leadership of external consultants, and significant responsibility for project outcomes. It's a role that bridges technical design expertise with project management and stakeholder engagement.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will likely report to a senior director or vice president within the Engineering, Projects, or Operations division. They will manage external A&E consultants and potentially internal junior design staff or coordinators, depending on the team's exact structure. Close collaboration with project managers, construction leads, and operations managers is expected.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's work directly impacts the company's ability to deliver secure, reliable, and scalable data centre infrastructure. Well-executed designs ensure operational efficiency, minimise downtime, meet customer SLAs, and contribute to the company's reputation for quality and security. Their role is critical in translating business needs into tangible, constructible, and maintainable facilities that support the company's growth and its clients' critical IT operations.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to move into higher-level project director roles, overseeing larger and more complex data centre development programs.

• Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific data centre design aspects (e.g., power, cooling, security, sustainability) or moving into strategic asset management.

• Cross-Functional Roles: Opportunities to transition into broader roles within project management, construction management, or even operational strategy, leveraging their deep understanding of facility design and lifecycle.

• Mentorship: As a senior member, the opportunity to mentor junior engineers and designers, contributing to the development of future talent within CDC Data Centres.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "newly created position" aspect suggests an opportunity to shape the role and its processes. Growth potential is inferred from the strategic nature of the role and the company's expansion in a critical industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This role involves a blend of office-based work and site presence. The primary office is located in Melbourne CBD, facilitating access to city amenities and professional networks. Additionally, regular visits to the Brooklyn Data Centre facility are expected for site-specific design reviews and coordination.

Office Location(s):

• Melbourne CBD: A central business district location, likely offering a modern office environment with collaborative workspaces and access to public transport.

• Brooklyn (Data Centre): A more industrial or operational setting, providing direct exposure to the physical infrastructure being designed and managed.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Expect modern office environments designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms, breakout areas, and potentially open-plan workstations.

• Technology & Tools: Access to industry-standard design software, project management tools, and communication platforms necessary for managing complex projects and remote teams.

• Team Interaction: Significant opportunities for interaction with a diverse team of engineers, project managers, consultants, and operational staff, both in formal meetings and informal discussions.

Work Schedule: The standard 40-hour work week is expected. However, the dynamic nature of construction and design projects may necessitate occasional flexibility to attend site visits, critical meetings, or address urgent issues, particularly around key project milestones or permit application deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The inclusion of both a CBD office and a data centre location highlights the hands-on nature of the role, requiring a balance between strategic planning and on-the-ground oversight.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and cover letter, with a focus on relevant design management experience, qualifications, and understanding of the consenting process.

• First Interview (Hiring Manager): Discussion around your experience in managing design teams, consultants, and projects. Expect questions about your problem-solving approach, stakeholder management skills, and understanding of data centre infrastructure.

• Technical/Case Study Interview: You may be presented with a design challenge or a past project scenario to discuss. This will assess your analytical skills, ability to identify risks, and your approach to coordinating complex design elements. Preparation of a concise overview of a relevant past project is highly recommended.

• Stakeholder/Team Interview: Meeting with key team members or cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., Operations Manager, Project Manager) to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and communication abilities.

• Final Interview (Senior Leadership): A discussion with senior management to evaluate your strategic thinking, leadership potential, and alignment with CDC Data Centres' vision and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Focus on 2-3 of your most relevant and impactful projects that demonstrate your capabilities in managing design processes, A&E consultants, and permitting.

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline the objectives, your specific responsibilities, the challenges faced, your strategies for overcoming them, the solutions implemented, and the quantifiable outcomes (e.g., time/cost savings, risk reduction, improved compliance).

• Highlight Process Management: Emphasize your role in governing the design process, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and navigating regulatory hurdles.

• Showcase Communication: Be prepared to articulate your design review process, how you ensure stakeholder alignment, and how you communicate complex technical information to non-technical audiences.

• Integrate Safety & Compliance: Clearly demonstrate how you championed safety practices and ensured compliance with statutory requirements throughout the design lifecycle.

Challenge Preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with common data centre design considerations (e.g., power distribution, cooling systems, physical security, network connectivity).

• Practice articulating your thought process for problem-solving, especially when dealing with conflicting requirements or unexpected issues.

• Prepare to discuss how you would approach a scenario involving permit delays or significant design changes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess a range of competencies, from technical understanding to leadership and cultural fit. The portfolio review is critical for demonstrating practical application of skills in a complex, regulated environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Proficiency with industry-standard CAD and BIM (Building Information Modeling) software is highly beneficial. Examples include AutoCAD, Revit, and Navisworks.

• Project Management Software: Experience with platforms like Microsoft Project, Asana, Jira, or similar for planning, tracking, and reporting on design project timelines and resource allocation.

• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for facilitating communication and collaboration with internal and external teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: While not directly developing analytics, the ability to interpret reports from design simulations, energy efficiency analyses, and compliance audits is important.

• Reporting Dashboards: Experience in reviewing and contributing to project status reports, risk registers, and design compliance dashboards.

CRM & Automation:

• Not Directly Applicable: CRM systems are typically not a primary tool for a Design Manager in this context. However, understanding how design specifications feed into project management and operational systems is key.

• Workflow Management: Familiarity with systems or processes that automate aspects of design review, document control, or permit tracking could be advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the nature of the role implies a need for proficiency in standard design, project management, and collaboration software common in engineering and construction project environments.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Sovereignty & Security: A deep commitment to national security and data sovereignty, ensuring all designs meet the highest standards for protected information.

• Reliability & Excellence: A dedication to building and maintaining world-class, highly reliable data centre facilities that customers can depend on.

• Innovation & Forward-Thinking: A drive to incorporate the latest technologies and sustainable practices into design and operations to meet future demands.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A belief that collective effort and open communication are essential for achieving complex project goals and fostering a positive work environment.

• Integrity & Professionalism: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all interactions and decision-making processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The Design Manager is expected to foster strong working relationships across departments, ensuring design considerations are integrated with operational, security, and client needs.

• Consultative Approach: Engaging actively with architects, engineers, and specialist designers to foster a collaborative design environment where diverse perspectives are valued.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining transparent and regular communication with all stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, customers, and internal teams, to manage expectations and resolve issues promptly.

• Feedback Culture: Encouraging constructive feedback loops to continuously improve design processes and outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: CDC Data Centres emphasizes "sovereign, secure, world-class" facilities. These core values directly influence how designs are approached, prioritizing security, reliability, and compliance above all else.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Competing Demands: Effectively managing the often-conflicting requirements of clients, regulatory bodies, budget constraints, and technical specifications while maintaining design integrity.

• Navigating Complex Regulatory Environments: Ensuring all designs meet stringent and evolving statutory requirements, building codes, and security protocols, which can be time-consuming and complex.

• Coordinating Diverse Stakeholders: Managing the expectations and contributions of a wide array of internal teams, external consultants, vendors, and government authorities, each with their own priorities.

• Accelerated Project Timelines: Working within demanding project schedules common in the data centre industry, requiring efficient design processes and swift decision-making.

• Security Clearance Requirements: The necessity of holding and maintaining an NV1 Security Clearance is a significant prerequisite that may limit the candidate pool.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Specialized Data Centre Design: Deepen expertise in critical infrastructure design, including power, cooling, fire suppression, and network infrastructure specific to data centres.

• Project Leadership: Develop advanced project management and leadership skills through managing large-scale, complex infrastructure projects.

• Regulatory & Compliance Expertise: Become a subject matter expert in Australian building codes, planning laws, and security clearance protocols relevant to critical infrastructure.

• Industry Trends: Stay abreast of evolving technologies, sustainability practices, and security threats impacting data centre design and operations.

• CDC Academy Programs: Leverage the company's dedicated learning and development platform for targeted skill enhancement and career progression.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are framed around the inherent complexities of the data centre industry and the specific demands of managing design in a highly regulated and secure environment. Growth opportunities are linked to specialization and leadership within this critical sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to managing the design process for a large-scale critical infrastructure project. How do you ensure all stakeholders are aligned and design integrity is maintained?" (Focus on your governance, communication, and coordination strategies.)

• "Walk me through a time you encountered significant challenges with building permits or regulatory approvals. How did you navigate this situation, and what was the outcome?" (Demonstrate your understanding of the consenting process and your problem-solving skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about CDC Data Centres and the data centre industry, particularly our focus on sovereign and secure facilities?" (Research CDC's mission, values, and recent projects. Connect your interest to their specific positioning.)

• "How would you contribute to our culture of safety and innovation within the design team?" (Relate your past experiences and personal values to CDC's stated goals.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Concise Project Summaries: For each project in your portfolio, prepare a brief (2-3 minute) overview covering the project scope, your role, key challenges, and achieved outcomes.

• Visual Aids: If possible, use visual aids (e.g., simplified diagrams, flowcharts) to illustrate complex processes like design coordination or permit approval pathways.

• Quantifiable Results: Wherever possible, present data and metrics that demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., % reduction in design errors, time saved in permitting, cost efficiencies).

• Focus on Process Governance: Emphasize your role in managing the process of design, rather than just the technical details of the design itself. Highlight how you ensured quality, compliance, and risk mitigation.

📝 Enhancement Note: These questions are designed to probe the candidate's understanding of the role's core responsibilities, their strategic thinking, and their ability to operate within a security-conscious, regulated environment. The portfolio presentation advice is tailored to showcase process management and impact.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on Workable.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience relevant to design management, A&E consultant coordination, and the building/planning permit process. Use keywords from the job description such as "Design Manager," "consenting," "planning permit," "stakeholder collaboration," and "NV1 Security Clearance."

• Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Clearly articulate your interest in CDC Data Centres, your suitability for the Design Manager role, and how your skills and experience align with the company’s focus on sovereign, secure, and world-class data centres. Explicitly mention your understanding of the importance of security and compliance.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your ability to manage design processes, coordinate teams, and navigate regulatory environments. Be ready to present these concisely and highlight your specific contributions and the outcomes achieved.

• Research CDC Data Centres: Familiarize yourself with the company's mission, values, recent projects, and their position in the market. Understand the significance of "sovereign data centres" and the NV1 security clearance requirement.

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

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