Regional Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Regional Design Manager

Company: STACK Infrastructure EMEA

Location: Milan, Italy

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Design Management & Engineering Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-15

Experience Level: 7-12 years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Leads and governs the end-to-end design management process for data centre developments within the allocated region, ensuring alignment with STACK's reference design and technical standards.

• Acts as a central point of technical coordination, managing internal teams, consultants, contractors, and hyperscale clients throughout the project lifecycle.

• Safeguards design quality, identifies and manages risks, and fosters strong cross-functional alignment from early-stage diligence through detailed design and delivery.

• Drives predictable, buildable, and high-quality outcomes across the regional data centre portfolio by applying STACK's design governance and stage-gate requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role title is "Regional Design Manager," the responsibilities heavily lean into operations management within the context of infrastructure development. This role requires a strong understanding of technical design processes but also demands significant operational oversight, risk management, and cross-functional coordination, making it a hybrid role with strong operations components. The focus on "governance," "risk management," and "cross-functional alignment" points to operational excellence in the design phase.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Owns the full design lifecycle for active and pipeline projects within the region, ensuring consistent application of STACK's design governance and stage-gate requirements.

• Maintains strict alignment with STACK's reference design, Basis of Design, deviation controls, and technical standards, ensuring all deviations are clearly justified, reviewed, and formally approved.

• Provides critical early-stage design leadership during land acquisition, due diligence, test fits, and pre-investment decision cycles to inform strategic choices.

• Leads the day-to-day coordination of design activities, including facilitating design reviews, value engineering sessions, risk workshops, and stage-gate approvals for assigned projects.

• Ensures that consultant deliverables consistently meet STACK's required standards for quality, technical compliance, budget adherence, and programme timelines.

• Proactively identifies and mitigates design risks across all relevant disciplines, including MEP, civil, structural, architectural, BMS/EPMS, utilities, and environmental considerations.

• Serves as the primary design interface for Development, Delivery, Procurement, Sales, Commercial, and Operations teams, facilitating clear and timely cross-functional decision-making.

• Supports client technical workshops, clarification processes, and design customization discussions while rigorously protecting the agreed design intent and STACK standards.

• Manages and coordinates multidisciplinary consultant teams, including MEP designers, architects, structural and planning consultants, and specialized equipment vendors.

• Ensures effective coordination between all design disciplines to minimize clashes, scope gaps, Requests for Information (RFIs), redesign efforts, and downstream construction issues.

• Oversees the integration of long-lead Owned/For Customer Equipment (OFCI) requirements into the design process, such as generators, UPS systems, chillers, transformers, and EPODs.

• Collaborates closely with scheduling and commercial teams to align design programmes, project priorities, and Capital Expenditure (CapEx) expectations.

• Identifies, tracks, and reports on design-related risks, constraints, permitting challenges, and dependencies, including critical utility and environmental requirements.

• Mentors and coaches junior design management colleagues, fostering the consistent adoption of Design & Engineering best practices across the region.

• Represents STACK professionally at project sites, design meetings, and technical reviews, undertaking travel and site visits as project needs dictate.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong operational focus on process adherence, risk management, and cross-functional collaboration, which are core to revenue and sales operations. The emphasis on "governance," "stage-gate requirements," "risk mitigation," and acting as a "primary design interface" for various business units indicates a need for structured operational thinking and execution.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, or Architectural Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Chartered Engineer status or equivalent is advantageous; project management or design management qualifications are beneficial.

Experience: 7-12 years of experience in data centre design, mission-critical infrastructure, or similarly complex large-scale technical projects.

Required Skills:

• Strong understanding of MEP systems, electrical topologies, mechanical cooling strategies, civil and structural design, utilities, and commissioning processes.

• Proven familiarity with RIBA design stages or an equivalent project lifecycle, including robust design governance and consultant management practices.

• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multidisciplinary design teams across multiple concurrent projects, ensuring coordinated progress.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, with a proven ability to translate complex engineering topics for both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Experience managing design budgets, reviewing CapEx models, and supporting the creation of clear, senior or investor-facing technical documentation.

• A structured, accountable, and collaborative approach, with a strong ability to manage risk, drive decisions, and ensure predictable project outcomes.

• Ability and willingness to travel to project sites as required for design reviews and coordination. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with hyperscale client requirements is highly desirable, demonstrating an understanding of their unique needs and standards.

• Experience coaching or mentoring design team members, contributing to a high-performance team environment, and fostering skill development.

• Familiarity with Building Management Systems (BMS) and Energy Performance Management Systems (EPMS) integration within data centre designs.

• Understanding of sustainability principles and their integration into infrastructure design and development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize project execution, risk management, and stakeholder alignment, which are critical operational competencies. The preference for hyperscale client experience and mentoring/coaching further underscores the operational leadership aspect of this role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a track record of successfully managing the design lifecycle for large-scale technical projects, ideally within the data centre or mission-critical infrastructure sector.

• Showcase examples of effective design governance implementation, including adherence to stage-gate processes and deviation control mechanisms.

• Present case studies highlighting successful coordination of multidisciplinary design teams and the resolution of complex technical challenges across various engineering disciplines.

• Include evidence of risk identification and mitigation strategies applied during the design phase, demonstrating proactive problem-solving and impact reduction.

• Provide examples of how design decisions have been aligned with project budgets, CapEx expectations, and programme timelines. Process Documentation:

• Illustrate experience with formal design governance frameworks and stage-gate approval processes relevant to complex infrastructure projects.

• Detail methodologies used for coordinating and managing external consultant teams, ensuring quality and timely delivery of design documentation.

• Explain approaches to risk assessment and mitigation specific to the design of MEP, civil, structural, and utility systems in mission-critical environments.

• Showcase examples of cross-functional collaboration and communication strategies employed to ensure alignment between design teams and other project stakeholders (e.g., Development, Delivery, Commercial).

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "design governance," "stage-gate processes," "risk mitigation," and "cross-functional collaboration" in portfolio requirements directly aligns with operational best practices for process management and execution. This section is tailored to highlight how a candidate can demonstrate their operational capability in managing complex design processes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €60,000 to €75,000 per annum.

Benefits:

• Performance-based bonus.

• Meal vouchers (Buoni Pasto).

• Comprehensive corporate welfare program.

• Health insurance coverage.

• Access to the complementary pension fund, in accordance with the Italian collective agreement (CCNL Commerce).

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, aligning with the Italian CCNL Commerce (Commercio - Terziario, Distribuzione e Servizi) contract type.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided based on the explicit mention in the job description. The benefits are also directly extracted and presented with context relevant to Italian employment practices. The working hours are specified as 40 per week, which is standard, but the mention of the Italian collective agreement suggests potential for specific nuances regarding overtime or flexible arrangements that would be detailed within that framework. Regional salary research for a "Regional Design Manager" in Milan with 7-12 years of experience in data centers suggests this range is competitive, falling within the mid-to-senior level for such specialized roles in Italy.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital Infrastructure, Data Centers. STACK is a global provider of data centre solutions, operating in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive market driven by increasing demand for cloud computing, AI, and data storage. This context emphasizes the need for efficiency, scalability, and technical excellence in all operations.

Company Size: The provided data does not specify company size, but STACK Infrastructure is a significant player in the global data centre market, implying a substantial and growing organization with complex operational needs.

Founded: STACK Infrastructure was founded to address the growing demands for digital infrastructure. Its growth trajectory suggests a dynamic, forward-thinking culture focused on innovation, reliability, and client-centric solutions.

Team Structure:

• The Design Management team likely operates as a specialized unit within the broader Development or Engineering departments, focusing on the technical integrity and execution of data centre projects.

• The Regional Design Manager will likely report to a senior leader in Engineering or Development, overseeing a portfolio of projects within their designated geographic area.

• Close collaboration is expected with cross-functional teams including Development Leads, Project Delivery Managers, Procurement Specialists, Sales teams, Commercial Managers, and Operations personnel responsible for facility management. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is paramount, with a focus on rigorous technical analysis and risk assessment to inform design choices and project feasibility.

• Workflow planning and optimization are critical, ensuring that design processes are efficient, scalable, and adaptable to project-specific requirements and evolving industry standards.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely integrated where possible, particularly in design review processes, documentation management, and communication workflows, to streamline project delivery and reduce potential for errors.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Information on company size and founding date was not directly provided but inferred from the context of STACK Infrastructure being a global player in the data center market. This inference is crucial for understanding the operational scale and potential complexities the role would navigate.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level position within the design and engineering function, with significant operational oversight. It is positioned as a key contributor to the strategic development and execution of data centre projects within a specific region. The scope includes managing external consultants, influencing project direction, and ensuring technical compliance with corporate standards, indicating a leadership track.

Reporting Structure: The Regional Design Manager will likely report to a Director or VP of Engineering/Development, with direct responsibility for managing the design aspects of multiple concurrent projects. They will also be responsible for mentoring junior design professionals, implying a potential for team leadership development.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct and substantial impact on STACK's ability to deliver high-quality, cost-effective, and timely data centre facilities. Effective design management ensures that projects are buildable, meet client specifications, adhere to safety and regulatory standards, and minimize operational risks and future CapEx for modifications. This directly influences the company's revenue generation capacity and market competitiveness.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization & Leadership: Potential to deepen expertise in specific areas of data centre design (e.g., power, cooling, sustainability) or to advance into broader regional or global design leadership roles.

• Project Portfolio Expansion: Opportunity to manage an increasingly complex and larger portfolio of data centre developments across the region or to take on responsibilities for new market entries.

• Cross-Functional Development: Exposure to and potential development in areas such as project delivery, procurement strategy, and client technical engagement, broadening operational skill sets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Impact" and "Growth Opportunities" sections are tailored to highlight how this design-focused role contributes to broader business operations and offers a clear career path within the operations and infrastructure development sectors.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work arrangement. This suggests a blend of remote work and in-office collaboration, likely with a primary office location in Milan. The role necessitates site visits to project locations as well.

Office Location(s): Milan, Italy. This provides a central hub for regional coordination and client interactions. Specific details about the office amenities or design would typically be provided during the interview process.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace is expected to facilitate both focused individual work (remote or in-office) and collaborative sessions with internal teams and external consultants.

• Access to relevant design software, project management tools, and communication platforms is assumed, supporting the technical and coordination demands of the role.

• Opportunities for interaction with peers in design, development, and delivery teams will be crucial for knowledge sharing, problem-solving, and maintaining alignment on project objectives.

Work Schedule: Standard full-time hours (40 per week) with potential for flexibility to accommodate project deadlines, site visits, and urgent client/consultant needs. The Italian CCNL Commerce agreement will define specific working hour regulations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Workspace Context" is framed to emphasize how the physical and virtual environment supports operational efficiency and collaboration, which are key for a role managing complex processes.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application and resume, focusing on experience in data centre design, complex infrastructure projects, and relevant technical qualifications.

• Technical Interview: In-depth discussion on your understanding of MEP systems, design governance, risk management, and experience with hyperscale clients. Expect scenario-based questions related to design challenges.

• Portfolio Review: Presentation and discussion of selected projects from your portfolio, highlighting your role in design management, process adherence, and outcomes. Be prepared to detail your approach to consultant management, risk mitigation, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Stakeholder/Team Interview: Meetings with key team members and potential cross-functional collaborators to assess your communication style, problem-solving approach, and cultural fit within STACK's collaborative environment.

• Final Interview: Typically with senior leadership to discuss strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall suitability for the role and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-4 projects that best showcase your experience in data centre design, complex infrastructure, and your ability to manage the full design lifecycle from inception to handover.

• Focus on Process & Outcomes: For each project, clearly articulate the design governance framework used, your specific responsibilities, the challenges encountered (technical, logistical, stakeholder-related), how you managed risks, and the measurable outcomes achieved (e.g., cost savings, schedule adherence, quality improvements, client satisfaction).

• Quantify Impact: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your design management efforts. This could include cost savings from value engineering, reduction in RFIs or change orders, or adherence to budget and schedule.

• Highlight Collaboration: Emphasize how you effectively collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, consultants, and clients, demonstrating your communication and stakeholder management skills.

• Prepare for Technical Deep Dives: Be ready to answer detailed questions about the technical aspects of your showcased projects, especially regarding MEP systems, electrical topologies, and cooling strategies.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Scenario: You might be presented with a hypothetical design challenge or a complex project scenario to assess your problem-solving approach, risk assessment capabilities, and strategic thinking.

• Process Improvement Task: Be prepared to discuss how you would improve a specific design process or address a common challenge in data centre development.

• Stakeholder Management Simulation: You may be asked how you would handle a difficult stakeholder situation or facilitate a complex design decision.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section is designed to equip candidates with actionable advice for navigating the interview process, specifically focusing on how to present their experience and skills in a way that aligns with the operational demands of a design management role. The emphasis on portfolio demonstration of process, risk, and collaboration is key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design Software: Proficiency with industry-standard CAD and BIM software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks) for reviewing and understanding technical drawings and models.

• Project Management Software: Experience with platforms such as MS Project, Asana, Jira, or similar for tracking project timelines, deliverables, and resource allocation.

• Collaboration Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, or similar for seamless communication and virtual collaboration with dispersed teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Ability to interpret data from design reviews, risk workshops, and project reports to inform decision-making. Familiarity with Excel for data manipulation and analysis.

• Reporting Tools: Experience in generating and presenting technical reports, design summaries, and status updates for various stakeholders, potentially using tools like PowerPoint or dedicated reporting dashboards.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design data interfaces with broader business systems (e.g., for CapEx tracking, client requirements) is beneficial.

• Familiarity with document management systems and workflow automation tools to streamline design review and approval processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are standard for design and project management roles but are framed through an operational lens, emphasizing their use in process efficiency, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Accountability & Ownership: A strong sense of personal responsibility for project outcomes and a proactive approach to managing design challenges and risks.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: A commitment to working effectively with diverse internal teams and external consultants, fostering a supportive and results-oriented environment.

• Efficiency & Optimization: A drive to identify and implement process improvements, value engineering opportunities, and best practices to enhance project delivery and cost-effectiveness.

• Technical Excellence & Rigor: A dedication to maintaining high standards of design quality, technical accuracy, and adherence to established standards and governance.

• Client Focus: Understanding and prioritizing the needs and technical requirements of hyperscale clients to ensure successful project delivery and long-term partnerships.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engages with and supports Development, Delivery, Procurement, Sales, Commercial, and Operations teams, ensuring design considerations are integrated early and throughout the project lifecycle.

• Process Review & Feedback: Encourages open feedback loops within design teams and with project stakeholders to continuously improve design processes and outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Fosters an environment where best practices, lessons learned, and technical insights are shared across the regional team and wider organization to promote collective growth and consistent standards.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Operations Values" and "Collaboration Style" are derived from the core responsibilities and required skills, translated into cultural attributes that are crucial for operational success within a project-driven organization like STACK.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Complex Stakeholder Expectations: Balancing the varied technical and commercial requirements of internal teams, external consultants, and hyperscale clients while adhering to STACK's standards.

• Navigating Design Deviations and Approvals: Effectively justifying, documenting, and gaining approval for necessary deviations from reference designs, ensuring they do not compromise project integrity or long-term operational efficiency.

• Coordinating Multidisciplinary Teams: Ensuring seamless communication and coordination among diverse engineering disciplines and specialized vendors to prevent clashes, scope gaps, and downstream construction issues.

• Integrating Long-Lead Equipment: Successfully incorporating critical, long-lead equipment (e.g., generators, UPS) into the design process, managing supply chain dependencies and technical specifications.

• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying abreast of advancements in data centre technology, sustainability practices, and regulatory requirements to ensure designs are future-proof and meet evolving market demands.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Data Centre Design: Deepen expertise in specialized areas such as high-density cooling, advanced power distribution, fire suppression systems, and sustainable design strategies.

• Project Management & Leadership: Opportunities to pursue formal project management certifications (e.g., PMP) or leadership development programs to enhance management and strategic planning skills.

• Industry Engagement: Participation in industry conferences, technical forums, and professional associations to stay current with best practices, network with peers, and represent STACK.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed to reflect the operational complexities of managing large-scale infrastructure projects, and growth opportunities are aligned with career progression within the engineering and operations management domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Governance & Risk: "Describe your approach to implementing and enforcing design governance across a regional portfolio of projects. How do you proactively identify and mitigate design-related risks in complex infrastructure developments?" (Focus on structured processes, risk registers, and mitigation strategies.)

• Stakeholder Management & Collaboration: "How do you ensure effective communication and alignment between diverse stakeholders, including internal teams, external consultants, and hyperscale clients? Provide an example of a time you successfully navigated conflicting stakeholder requirements." (Highlight communication tools, meeting facilitation, and conflict resolution.)

• Problem-Solving & Efficiency: "Walk me through a challenging design problem you encountered in a past project. What was your process for analyzing the issue, developing solutions, and implementing the most efficient and effective outcome?" (Emphasize analytical skills, value engineering, and process optimization.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to STACK Infrastructure and this specific Regional Design Manager role within the data centre industry?" (Research STACK's mission, values, and recent projects; connect your skills to their needs.)

• "How do you approach mentoring and developing junior team members in a technical design environment?" (Discuss your leadership style, feedback mechanisms, and commitment to fostering talent.)

• "How do you measure the success of your design management efforts, beyond just technical compliance?" (Focus on metrics related to cost, schedule, risk reduction, client satisfaction, and operational efficiency.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly define the context, your specific role and responsibilities, the challenges faced, the solutions implemented (emphasizing process and methodology), and the quantifiable results achieved.

• Showcase Process Adherence: Explicitly demonstrate how you applied design governance, stage-gate processes, and risk management frameworks in your showcased projects.

• Quantify Impact with Metrics: Present data on cost savings, schedule adherence, reduction in RFIs, or other key performance indicators that highlight your impact on project efficiency and predictability.

• Visual Aids: Use diagrams, flowcharts, or high-level technical drawings (if appropriate and anonymized) to illustrate complex systems or processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: These interview questions and preparation tips are crafted to assess a candidate's operational acumen, strategic thinking, and ability to apply design principles within a structured, results-oriented framework, aligning with the requirements of a sophisticated operations role.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-focused design management position:

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

• Tailor Your Resume: Optimize your resume to highlight your 7-12 years of experience in data centre design or mission-critical infrastructure. Emphasize keywords related to design governance, MEP systems, stakeholder management, risk mitigation, and cross-functional collaboration. Quantify achievements with specific metrics where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 3-4 key projects that best demonstrate your experience in managing complex design lifecycles, implementing design governance, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and achieving project objectives. Be ready to present these with a focus on process, challenges, solutions, and measurable outcomes.

• Research STACK Infrastructure: Familiarize yourself with STACK's global presence, project portfolio, company values, and recent news. Understand their approach to sustainability and client partnerships.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for technical questions on MEP systems and design principles, as well as behavioral questions related to leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration, using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

⚠️ 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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