Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager

Company: CDC Data Centres

Location: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Operations Management / Engineering / Construction

Date Posted: March 03, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and govern the end-to-end design process for critical data centre infrastructure projects, ensuring high-quality, coordinated, and compliant architectural and engineering outputs.

• Manage and motivate internal and external design teams, including architects, structural engineers, and services engineers, to achieve project milestones and deliver exceptional documentation.

• Oversee the consenting, planning, and building permit processes, liaising with authorities to ensure statutory compliance and timely approvals for data centre developments.

• Drive innovation, safety, and efficiency throughout the design lifecycle, providing clear documentation and expert advice to mitigate risks and champion best practices.

• Act as a key liaison between customer teams, design consultants, and third-party vendors to align expectations and ensure project requirements are met, fostering a collaborative and customer-centric approach.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Design Manager" within the data centre industry, a field that heavily relies on meticulous planning, complex engineering, and stringent compliance. Given the description's emphasis on managing consultants, coordinating permits, and ensuring building/service designs support ongoing maintenance, this role is best categorized under Operations Management with significant overlap into Engineering and Construction. The "newly created position" suggests a strategic growth initiative for CDC Data Centres, indicating a need for strong leadership in design governance and process implementation to support their expanding operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design Process Governance: Plan, manage, and govern the entire design process from conceptualization through to construction documentation, ensuring alignment with project objectives and CDC's operational standards.

• Consultant & Team Management: Effectively manage Architectural and Engineering (A&E) consultants and internal design teams, motivating them to produce timely, high-quality, clear, and coordinated technical drawings and documentation essential for construction and ongoing maintenance.

• Permitting & Consenting Oversight: Coordinate the consenting, planning, and building permit processes, ensuring all applications meet statutory requirements and organizational standards, while proactively liaising with relevant authorities to resolve issues and secure timely approvals.

• Vendor & Contractor Coordination: Oversee and ensure effective coordination among third-party vendors and contractors involved across multiple design projects, facilitating seamless integration of their contributions into the overall design.

• Stakeholder Alignment & Risk Mitigation: Collaborate closely with customer teams, internal stakeholders, and design partners to align expectations, review designs, ensure optimal operational outcomes, and proactively identify and mitigate potential risks through clear documentation and expert advice.

• Innovation & Safety Championing: Champion innovation and safety practices throughout the design lifecycle, providing clear documentation and advice to mitigate errors, maintain compliance, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and adherence to best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities are derived from the detailed description provided, focusing on the core functions of managing the design lifecycle, stakeholder interactions, and compliance aspects critical to data centre infrastructure. The emphasis on "governing the design process," "managing consultants," and "coordinating permitting" points to a strategic oversight role rather than hands-on technical design. The inclusion of "customer teams" and "third-party vendors" highlights the collaborative and cross-functional nature of this position within a project-driven environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• A degree in a relevant field such as Architecture, Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline is highly desirable.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5-10 years of progressive experience in design management, project engineering, or a related technical management role within the construction, infrastructure, or engineering sectors.

• Proven experience managing architectural and engineering consultants and multidisciplinary design teams on complex projects.

• Demonstrated experience navigating and securing building permits, planning approvals, and statutory consents.

Required Skills:

• Design Management: Proven ability to plan, execute, and govern complex design processes.

• Engineering Acumen: Strong understanding of architectural, structural, and services engineering principles relevant to building design.

• Project Coordination: Expertise in coordinating multidisciplinary teams, consultants, and third-party vendors.

• Permitting & Compliance: In-depth knowledge of building permit, planning, and consenting processes in Australia.

• Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with diverse internal and external stakeholders.

• Documentation Management: Proficiency in managing and reviewing technical drawings, specifications, and project documentation.

Preferred Skills:

• Data Centre Design: Specific experience with the unique design considerations for data centres (e.g., power, cooling, security, connectivity).

• Risk Management: Ability to identify, assess, and mitigate design-related risks.

• Innovation & Safety Focus: A proactive approach to driving innovation and championing safety in design.

• Contract Administration: Familiarity with contract management for design consultants.

• Australian Citizenship: Essential for obtaining and maintaining an NV1 Security Clearance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "About You" section clearly outlines the desired background and skills. The "Essential" requirement for Australian Citizenship and an NV1 Security Clearance is critical and has been elevated to a required skill for clarity. The experience level has been inferred from the "5-10 years" implied by the "Design Manager/engineering based background" and the "newly created position" suggesting a mid-to-senior level role. The education requirement is broadened to encompass various engineering disciplines relevant to building complex infrastructure.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Project Showcase: A portfolio demonstrating successful management of design projects, ideally including examples of complex building infrastructure or data centre designs, highlighting your role in planning, coordination, and oversight.

• Coordination & Collaboration Examples: Evidence of your ability to manage multidisciplinary design teams and coordinate with various consultants (architects, structural, services engineers) and third-party vendors.

• Permitting & Compliance Documentation: Samples or descriptions of projects where you successfully navigated the building permit, planning, and consenting processes, showcasing your understanding of statutory requirements.

• Risk Mitigation & Problem-Solving Case Studies: Case studies detailing how you identified and mitigated design-related risks, resolved complex technical challenges, and ensured compliance and safety standards were met.

• Documentation Quality Examples: Examples of high-quality technical drawings, specifications, or design documentation that you have managed or reviewed, demonstrating attention to detail and clarity.

Process Documentation:

• Design Process Workflow Design: Ability to document and refine design workflows, from initial concept and feasibility studies through detailed design, value engineering, and handover.

• Permitting Process Mapping: Clear documentation of the steps involved in obtaining planning permits and building approvals, including key stakeholders, timelines, and compliance checkpoints.

• Consultant Management Protocols: Documented processes for selecting, onboarding, managing, and evaluating the performance of external design consultants.

• Risk Assessment & Mitigation Procedures: Documented procedures for identifying, assessing, and managing design-related risks, including safety and compliance factors.

• Change Management Process: A defined process for managing design changes, ensuring all stakeholders are informed and that changes are evaluated for impact on cost, schedule, and compliance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a portfolio and process documentation is inferred from the nature of a "Design Manager" role, which inherently involves overseeing processes and demonstrating past capabilities. For operations and GTM roles, a strong portfolio showcasing process optimization, project management, and quantifiable results is standard. This section tailors that expectation to the design and construction context of data centres.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Given the role's seniority (5-10 years experience), the strategic importance (newly created position), the industry (specialized data centres), and the location (Sydney, Australia), a competitive salary is expected.

• Estimated Range: AUD $150,000 - $200,000 per annum.

Benefits:

• CDC Academy: Access to specialized training courses for professional development and career advancement.

• CDC Day: An additional paid day off per year dedicated to personal health and wellbeing.

• Parental Leave: Enhanced parental leave entitlements above legislative requirements.

• Volunteer Leave: Two days of paid leave annually for volunteering for a cause of your choice.

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

• Social Events: Regular company-sponsored events to foster team connection and community.

• Superannuation: Standard Australian retirement savings contributions.

• Health Insurance: Potential for private health insurance subsidies.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility may be offered, but the role requires on-site presence in Sydney CBD and Eastern Creek/Marsden Park, necessitating availability for project-critical meetings and site visits, often during standard business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on typical compensation for a Design Manager role with 5-10 years of experience in Sydney, Australia, considering the specialized data centre industry. Job descriptions for such roles often do not explicitly state salary, so industry benchmarks are used. The benefits are directly pulled from the provided text, highlighting their value proposition.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Data Centres / Information Technology Infrastructure / Critical Facilities Management. CDC Data Centres operates in a highly specialized and growing sector, providing secure, sovereign, and world-class data centre facilities. This industry is characterized by high reliability, stringent security requirements, continuous technological advancement, and significant capital investment.

Company Size: CDC Data Centres is a significant operator with multiple facilities across Australia and New Zealand, indicating a medium-to-large enterprise size, likely employing several hundred to over a thousand employees. This size suggests structured processes, defined departments, and opportunities for cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: Established in 2007, CDC Data Centres has over a decade of experience, positioning it as a mature and established player in the Australian market, with a clear track record and established operational methodologies.

Team Structure:

• The Design Manager will likely be part of a larger Engineering, Projects, or Operations department, reporting to a Director or Head of Engineering/Projects.

• The role involves close collaboration with internal project managers, facility managers, security teams, and external architects, structural engineers, services engineers, and specialist designers.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Operations in data centres rely heavily on data for performance monitoring, capacity planning, and efficiency improvements. The Design Manager will contribute to designs that enable robust data collection and analysis.

• Process Optimization: Continuous improvement of design, construction, and handover processes is key to managing costs, timelines, and quality in the capital-intensive data centre sector.

• Risk Management & Compliance: A rigorous approach to risk assessment and adherence to stringent security, safety, and regulatory compliance standards is fundamental to CDC's operations.

Company Website: https://cdc.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: This section synthesizes information from the "About Us" section and general knowledge of the data centre industry to provide context. The company size is inferred from having multiple facilities across regions. The methodology points are derived from the industry's characteristics and the role's responsibilities.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a mid-to-senior level position within the operations and engineering framework. As a "Design Manager" responsible for governing and coordinating the design process, it requires significant autonomy, decision-making authority, and the ability to influence project direction. It bridges the gap between strategic planning and technical execution.

Reporting Structure: The Design Manager will likely report to a senior leader within the Engineering, Projects, or Operations division, such as a Director of Engineering, Head of Projects, or Chief Operations Officer. They will manage external consultants and potentially lead internal design coordinators or junior engineers on specific projects.

Operations Impact: The Design Manager's role has a profound impact on the efficiency, reliability, security, and cost-effectiveness of CDC Data Centres' infrastructure. Well-governed designs ensure that facilities meet stringent operational requirements, support customer needs, minimize long-term maintenance costs, and adhere to evolving safety and sustainability standards. Their work directly influences the company's ability to deliver world-class, sovereign data centre solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Design/Engineering Leadership: Progression to a Lead Design Manager, Head of Design, or Director of Engineering role, overseeing larger portfolios or more complex strategic initiatives.

• Project Director/Program Management: Transition into broader project or program management roles, responsible for the end-to-end delivery of major data centre campus developments.

• Operations Management: Move into operational roles, leveraging design and construction knowledge to manage facility operations, performance, and continuous improvement.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas like critical facility design, sustainable design practices, or advanced security integration within data centres.

• CDC Academy: Utilize the company's learning and development platform for targeted upskilling in areas such as leadership, advanced engineering techniques, or financial management, supporting career progression.

📝 Enhancement Note: This analysis is based on the job title, responsibilities, and company context. The career path is typical for a manager in a technical, project-driven industry like data centres, emphasizing progression within technical leadership or broader project/operations management.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role involves a hybrid work arrangement, with significant time spent in a corporate office environment (Sydney CBD) for management, coordination, and stakeholder meetings, as well as regular visits to data centre sites (Eastern Creek/Marsden Park) for inspections, progress reviews, and on-site coordination.

Office Location(s):

• Primary Office: Sydney CBD, New South Wales, Australia. This location offers access to professional networks, client offices, and general business amenities.

• Data Centre Sites: Eastern Creek and Marsden Park, New South Wales, Australia. These sites are operational facilities requiring on-site presence for design validation, construction oversight, and understanding of live environments.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic workspace that encourages collaboration with architects, engineers, project managers, and client representatives. The Sydney CBD office likely provides standard corporate office amenities, meeting rooms, and collaborative zones.

• On-Site Fieldwork: Visits to data centre construction sites will require adherence to strict site safety protocols and may involve challenging environmental conditions (e.g., noise, temperature variations, restricted access). Appropriate PPE will be essential.

• Technology & Tools: Access to standard office software, project management tools, and specialized CAD/BIM software for design review and documentation.

Work Schedule: The work schedule will primarily be Monday to Friday, aligning with standard business hours. However, the nature of construction projects and critical infrastructure often necessitates flexibility, including potential for early starts, late finishes, or occasional weekend work to meet critical deadlines, site inspections, or respond to urgent issues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Location" and "Remote Status" fields from the input data, combined with the description mentioning "Sydney CBD (Office) and Eastern Creek/Marsden Park (Data Centre)," directly inform this section's details on the hybrid work environment and specific locations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and cover letter by HR to assess your qualifications against the essential requirements, particularly experience in design management and Australian Citizenship.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (likely the Director of Engineering or Head of Projects) focusing on your experience managing design processes, consultants, and teams, your understanding of data centre infrastructure, and your problem-solving approach.

• Technical Assessment/Case Study: You may be asked to present a portfolio of your past work, focusing on a specific project that demonstrates your design management capabilities, stakeholder coordination, and ability to navigate permitting processes. This could involve a presentation or a detailed discussion of your project case studies.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with key internal stakeholders (e.g., Project Managers, Facility Managers) and potentially external partners to assess your collaboration style, communication skills, and cultural fit within the CDC Data Centres team.

• Final Interview & Security Clearance: A final interview with senior leadership, followed by the process of obtaining and maintaining an NV1 Security Clearance, which is a mandatory requirement.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 key projects that best showcase your experience in managing complex designs, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and navigating permitting processes. Prioritize projects with similar scale or complexity to data centre development if possible.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific responsibilities and contributions in each project. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your explanations.

• Showcase Process & Results: For each project, detail the design process you followed, how you managed consultants and stakeholders, how you addressed challenges (e.g., design conflicts, permit delays), and the quantifiable outcomes (e.g., cost savings, schedule adherence, risk reduction, compliance achieved).

• Focus on Data Centre Relevance: If you have data centre experience, emphasize it. If not, draw parallels from your experience with critical infrastructure, complex buildings, or projects with stringent regulatory requirements.

• Visual Aids: Use high-quality visuals (drawings, site photos, flowcharts) where appropriate to illustrate your points, but be mindful of any confidentiality agreements.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Scenario: Be prepared for a hypothetical design challenge related to data centre infrastructure, such as optimizing cooling efficiency, planning for modular expansion, or addressing site-specific constraints. Focus on your problem-solving methodology, risk assessment, and stakeholder engagement approach.

• Permitting & Compliance: Be ready to discuss specific challenges related to obtaining permits in Australian jurisdictions and how you would approach resolving complex compliance issues.

• Team Management: Prepare to discuss how you motivate diverse teams, manage underperforming consultants, and foster a collaborative design environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is crafted based on standard interview processes for management roles in technical and project-driven industries, tailored to the specific requirements of a Design Manager in data centres, including the crucial security clearance aspect. The portfolio advice is designed to help candidates effectively demonstrate relevant skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CAD/BIM Software: Proficiency with industry-standard Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM) software such as AutoCAD, Revit, or ArchiCAD for reviewing and understanding technical drawings and models.

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

• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Google Workspace for communication, document sharing, and virtual collaboration with dispersed teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Design Review & Analysis Tools: Ability to use software tools to analyze design documents for clashes, compliance, and constructability issues.

• Reporting Dashboards: Experience in creating or interpreting performance reports related to design progress, budget adherence, and risk status.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a core CRM role, understanding how design data integrates with broader CRM or ERP systems for procurement, asset management, and customer project tracking may be beneficial.

• Document Management Systems: Experience with systems like SharePoint, Documentum, or specific industry platforms for organizing, versioning, and retrieving project documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: Based on the role's responsibilities (managing design, consultants, documentation, and permits), the technology stack focuses on tools essential for design review, project management, and collaboration within the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, Construction) and data centre sectors.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Sovereignty & Security: A deep commitment to maintaining secure, sovereign data centre operations, ensuring the protection of client data and infrastructure. This translates to meticulous attention to detail in design and compliance.

• Reliability & Excellence: A dedication to delivering world-class infrastructure that is highly reliable and meets the most demanding operational standards. This drives a focus on robust design and quality assurance.

• Innovation & Sustainability: A forward-looking approach that embraces technological advancements and sustainable practices in design and operations to meet future needs.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A belief in the power of collective effort, encouraging open communication and mutual support across teams to achieve shared goals.

• Customer-Centricity: A strong focus on understanding and meeting customer requirements, ensuring designs and facilities are aligned with client needs and expectations.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: CDC Data Centres emphasizes collaboration across various departments (Design, Engineering, Operations, Sales, Security) to ensure a holistic approach to data centre development and management.

• Consultant Partnership: A style that fosters strong, professional relationships with external consultants, treating them as integral partners in achieving project success.

• Proactive Communication: An emphasis on clear, timely, and transparent communication to keep all stakeholders informed, manage expectations, and resolve issues efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: These values and collaboration styles are inferred from CDC's stated mission, industry norms for critical infrastructure, and the management aspects of the Design Manager role, aiming to describe a professional, security-conscious, and collaborative environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Competing Demands: Juggling the requirements of multiple stakeholders (clients, internal operations, regulatory bodies, design teams) while managing budget and schedule constraints.

• Navigating Complex Regulations: Keeping abreast of and ensuring compliance with evolving building codes, planning laws, and security standards across different jurisdictions.

• Managing Diverse Teams: Effectively leading and motivating a range of internal and external stakeholders with varying expertise, priorities, and working styles.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Staying current with the fast-paced advancements in data centre technology (e.g., cooling, power efficiency, AI infrastructure) and integrating them effectively into designs.

• Site-Specific Constraints: Adapting designs to unique site conditions, environmental factors, and existing infrastructure limitations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• CDC Academy: Direct access to specialized training courses for upskilling in areas like advanced data centre design principles, project management methodologies, leadership development, and sustainability in construction.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining in-depth knowledge of the critical infrastructure sector, including cutting-edge technologies and operational best practices within the data centre industry.

• Mentorship: Opportunities to learn from experienced leaders within CDC Data Centres' engineering and operations teams.

• Professional Certifications: Support for pursuing relevant professional certifications in project management, engineering, or data centre design.

• Exposure to Major Projects: Involvement in the planning and design of significant data centre developments, providing invaluable experience and a strong foundation for career advancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are derived from the nature of the role, the industry, and the company's stated commitment to learning (CDC Academy). This section aims to provide a realistic outlook for potential candidates.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Governance & Process: "Describe your approach to managing and governing the design process for a large-scale infrastructure project. How do you ensure coordination between architectural, structural, and services engineering teams?" (Focus on your structured methodology, risk management, and communication protocols.)

• Stakeholder Management & Compliance: "How do you manage conflicting requirements from different stakeholders (e.g., clients vs. internal operations vs. regulators)? Can you provide an example of a complex permitting challenge you successfully navigated?" (Highlight your negotiation skills, understanding of statutory requirements, and problem-solving approach.)

• Team Motivation & Leadership: "As a Design Manager, how do you motivate and lead diverse teams, including external consultants who may have different priorities? What methods do you use to ensure high-quality documentation and adherence to deadlines?" (Emphasize your leadership style, communication strategies, and performance management experience.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• CDC's Mission & Values: "What attracts you to CDC Data Centres, and how do your personal values align with our focus on sovereignty, security, and reliability?" (Research CDC's website, recent news, and values statement. Connect your experience to these principles.)

• Industry Understanding: "How do you see the data centre industry evolving, and what are the key design considerations for future-proof facilities?" (Demonstrate your awareness of industry trends, such as sustainability, AI, and hyperscale growth.)

• Team Dynamics: "Describe your ideal working relationship with a project manager and facility operations team. How do you ensure designs meet their ongoing operational needs?" (Showcase your collaborative spirit and understanding of the full lifecycle.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• The "Why": Begin by clearly stating the project's objectives and the challenges you aimed to solve.

• Your Role & Process: Detail your specific responsibilities and the design process you implemented. Use flowcharts or diagrams if helpful.

• Key Decisions & Challenges: Highlight critical design decisions made, how you managed trade-offs, and how you overcame significant obstacles (e.g., technical issues, permit delays).

• Quantifiable Results: Present concrete outcomes using metrics where possible – e.g., "reduced design time by X%", "ensured X% compliance with Y regulations," "mitigated Z risks through design change."

• Visuals & Clarity: Use clear, concise visuals. Ensure your explanations are easy to follow and directly address the requirements of the Design Manager role at CDC.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides targeted interview preparation advice, including example questions and portfolio presentation strategies, specifically tailored for a Design Manager role in the data centre industry, emphasizing the key skills and responsibilities outlined in the job description.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided "Apply" link on the Workable platform.

• Resume & Cover Letter Optimization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in design management, engineering coordination, permitting processes, and stakeholder management. Explicitly mention your Australian Citizenship and any relevant security clearance experience. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Portfolio Preparation: Compile a professional portfolio showcasing 2-3 relevant projects that demonstrate your ability to manage complex designs, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and navigate permitting processes. Be ready to present these using the STAR method, focusing on your role and the outcomes.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research CDC Data Centres, its operations, values, and recent projects. Understand their commitment to security, reliability, and sovereignty. Prepare to articulate how your skills and experience align with their mission.

• Interview Practice: Practice answering strategy, technical, and behavioural interview questions. Prepare to discuss your approach to design governance, team management, and stakeholder engagement, drawing on your portfolio examples.

⚠️ 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.