Senior Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Design Manager

Company: Aligned Data Centers

Location: Conesville, OH, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Construction Management / Design Operations

Date Posted: April 14, 2026

Experience Level: 9+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage the preconstruction and design phases of major technical programs for colocation and hyperscale data center builds, ensuring alignment with business objectives and customer requirements.

• Drive project execution from inception through customer turnover, with a primary focus on design progression, stakeholder coordination, and ensuring compliance with Aligned Design Efficiency Capture (DEC) standards.

• Collaborate closely with internal teams (Sales, Solutions Engineering, Operations) and external partners (architects, consultants, equipment providers, GCs) to deliver innovative infrastructure solutions.

• Manage multiple design teams and projects, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, efficiency, and innovation within the design and construction lifecycle.

• Ensure robust project risk management and cost control throughout the design and preconstruction phases, maintaining detailed project metrics and financial oversight.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy, directly impacting the successful and timely delivery of data center infrastructure that supports Aligned's revenue generation and customer commitments. The "Design Operations" aspect is emphasized through the management of the design process, ensuring it is efficient, compliant, and cost-effective.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Drive projects from inception through customer or business turnover, with a heavy focus and leadership in the preconstruction and design phases.

• Assume project lead role at design hand-off meetings from the land enablement team and transition overall project leadership to the Construction Manager at GC mobilization.

• Coordinate and communicate effectively with the land enablement group to ensure success with offsite improvements, early permitting, easements, and environmental studies.

• Lead and coordinate the onboarding of third-party design teams and the creation of design schedules to support project needs.

• Oversee the management of external third-party design teams throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring timely and quality delivery of design work.

• Drive the review and management of design deliverables, including stakeholder review and comment cycles, ensuring design progression and gating.

• Work with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Operations, and Construction Managers (CMs) to ensure design compliance with Aligned Design Efficiency Capture (DEC) standards.

• Identify design variances, track them, and manage the acquisition of necessary approvals.

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

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

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

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

• Assist the CM with building and maintaining budget/cost models and all phases’ budgets for each project, specifically around design costs and timelines.

• Work with the CM to prepare and present all funding requests and quarterly project updates for leadership.

• Conduct technical reviews of construction plans with an understanding of architectural design within the data center environment.

• Communicate conceptual designs to multiple internal Aligned teams with required project documentation prior to and during construction.

• Cross-reference designs with customer requirements as needed.

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

• Interface with customers through fit-out design, construction, and integration, ensuring successful delivery of customer contracts.

• Manage the project with the business in mind, ensuring project directives from the CRC/SLT/Board are met.

• Operate with a constant mindset of continuous improvement, creativity, efficiency, and innovation.

• Lead several design management project teams, potentially growing into leadership of multiple projects within multiple buildings in a campus or region, directly responsible for the accountability of direct reports.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on process management, stakeholder alignment, and risk mitigation, all core to Revenue Operations and GTM success. The integration with sales and solutions engineering underscores the role's contribution to the front end of the business.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 9+ years of progressive experience in successfully managing commercial construction project design programs.

• Data center design and construction experience is strongly preferred.

• Mechanical/Electrical background is preferred.

Required Skills:

• Advanced experience in Excel, Smartsheet, and/or AutoCAD.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly.

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

• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality at all times.

• Ability to understand and follow clear directions and meet specific deadlines for reporting, communication, and project schedules.

• Strong team player across the organization with excellent interpersonal skills.

• Ability to interpret construction drawings and specifications accurately.

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

• Ability to understand construction project scopes and forecast their impact on overall project costs.

• Experience in managing third-party design teams and driving design progression.

Preferred Skills:

• Design engineering experience.

• Deep understanding of building design processes and design deliverable management.

• Experience with data center-specific MEP systems.

• Knowledge and experience working with CAD.

• Experience in creating and managing project risk registers.

• Familiarity with Aligned's Design Efficiency Capture (DEC) and Cost Control Log (CCL) principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on project management software, Smartsheet, and AutoCAD points to a need for operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making. The requirement for understanding construction drawings and cost estimating aligns with the need for financial acumen within operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a track record of successfully leading and managing the design and preconstruction phases of complex construction projects, ideally within the data center or critical infrastructure sector.

• Showcase examples of effective stakeholder management, including collaboration with internal teams (sales, operations), external consultants, vendors, and customers.

• Present case studies illustrating your ability to drive efficiency, innovation, and cost savings within the design process, highlighting specific methodologies or tools used.

Process Documentation:

• Prepare to discuss your approach to managing design schedules, including onboarding third-party design teams, tracking design progression, and ensuring timely delivery of critical milestones.

• Be ready to explain your methodology for conducting technical reviews of construction plans and ensuring design compliance with established standards (e.g., Aligned DEC).

• Articulate your process for risk identification and management during the preconstruction and design phases, including the creation and maintenance of risk registers.

• Detail your experience in budget management, cost control, and financial reporting for design-related expenditures, including preparing funding requests and project updates.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on design management within a large-scale infrastructure company, a portfolio demonstrating process ownership, risk analysis, and cost control is crucial. This mirrors the requirements for high-level operations roles that focus on optimizing GTM processes and financial stewardship.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Health Coverage: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Savings Accounts: Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution for eligible participants, and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for health and dependent care to enhance tax savings.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with a generous company match and immediate vesting.

• Paid Time Off: Competitive paid time off, including sick and safe leave as required by law, and holiday pay.

• Company-Sponsored Insurance: Short-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and Long-Term Disability coverage (eligibility may depend on medical election).

• Optional Benefits: Voluntary life insurance, critical illness coverage, legal services, and additional disability coverage options.

• Wellness Programs: Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Wellhub gym membership, and various other wellness initiatives.

Working Hours:

• Standard 40 hours per week, with the expectation of long hours when necessary to meet project goals and deadlines. Occasional travel up to 25% may be required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a senior management role in the construction and data center industry in the US Midwest. The benefits package is robust, reflecting Aligned's commitment to employee well-being and financial security, which is attractive to operations professionals who value stability and comprehensive support.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Data Centers / Critical Infrastructure. Aligned Data Centers is a significant player in the rapidly growing data center market, known for its innovative infrastructure solutions and commitment to sustainability. This industry demands precision, reliability, and continuous improvement, influencing the operational rigor expected within the company.

Company Size: Large (likely 1,000-5,000 employees, based on typical data center growth trajectories and industry presence). This size suggests a structured organization with established processes, but also opportunities for significant impact and cross-functional collaboration.

Founded: Not specified, but the company's growth implies a successful and dynamic history.

Team Structure:

• The Senior Design Manager will likely lead a team of Design Managers and potentially coordinate with other project management professionals.

• This role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including Sales, Solutions Engineering, Land Enablement, Construction Management, and Operations.

Methodology:

• Aligned emphasizes a culture of continuous improvement, creativity, efficiency, and innovation in its operations and project execution.

• Data-driven decision-making is implied through the use of project metrics, dashboards (Smartsheet), and cost control logs.

• A customer-centric approach is evident, with direct customer interface throughout the design and construction process.

• Safety and compliance are paramount in the data center construction environment.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on innovation, efficiency, and customer focus aligns perfectly with the core tenets of Revenue Operations and GTM strategy. Understanding Aligned's position in the data center market is key to appreciating the scale and complexity of the projects this role will manage.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Management. This role sits at a crucial juncture, managing key aspects of the project lifecycle that directly impact project delivery timelines and customer satisfaction, which are critical drivers of revenue.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Design Manager will report to higher leadership within the Design or Construction divisions, likely a Director or VP. They will also be responsible for the direct management and accountability of their own team members (Design Managers).

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and significant impact on Aligned's ability to deliver critical infrastructure on time and within budget. Successful design management directly supports sales pipelines, customer contract fulfillment, and operational readiness, all of which are vital for revenue generation and business growth.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Opportunity to manage larger, more complex projects or multiple data center campuses, potentially leading to a Director-level role.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of data center design, MEP systems, or cutting-edge sustainable design practices.

• Process Improvement Leadership: Take on initiatives to refine and optimize Aligned's design management processes, contributing to broader operational efficiency improvements.

• Cross-functional Advancement: Transition into broader construction management, operations leadership, or even GTM strategy roles given the integrated nature of the position.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a Senior Design Manager in a growing company like Aligned offers substantial opportunities for advancement, particularly in areas that bridge technical execution with strategic business objectives—a common trajectory for successful operations leaders.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based on-site in Conesville, OH. The work environment will likely involve a mix of office-based design coordination and potential site visits to active construction locations, depending on project phase and proximity.

Office Location(s): Conesville, OH, United States. This location will serve as the primary base for the role, with potential for travel to other Aligned Data Center sites or vendor locations.

Workspace Context:

• The role requires a professional office setting for design review, meetings, and administrative tasks.

• Collaboration will be key, involving frequent interaction with colleagues both in person and virtually through project management tools and communication platforms.

Work Schedule:

• Standard 40-hour work week, but flexibility is expected, with the possibility of working longer hours to meet project deadlines and critical milestones.

• Travel up to 25% may be required, necessitating adaptability in scheduling.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement is typical for roles that involve direct oversight of physical projects and require immediate coordination with construction teams and site operations. This environment fosters direct problem-solving and immediate feedback loops, crucial for efficient operations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or recruiter conducts a preliminary review of your resume and experience to assess basic qualifications.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the hiring manager (likely a Director or VP) focusing on your experience, leadership style, and technical expertise relevant to data center design management. Expect behavioral questions and scenario-based inquiries.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Interviews with potential team members or cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., Construction Manager, Sales Lead) to assess cultural fit, collaboration skills, and technical acumen.

• Case Study/Presentation: You may be asked to prepare and present a case study from your portfolio, detailing a complex design challenge, your approach, the outcome, and lessons learned. This is a key opportunity to showcase your process and impact.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior executive to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit within the company.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Impact: Focus on quantifiable achievements. Instead of just listing responsibilities, detail the results of your actions (e.g., "Reduced design review cycles by 15%," "Secured $2M in cost savings through value engineering").

• Showcase Process: Clearly outline the methodologies you used for design management, risk assessment, cost control, and stakeholder communication. Use diagrams or flowcharts if helpful.

• Data Center Focus: Prioritize projects most relevant to data center design, MEP systems, and critical infrastructure. If direct data center experience is limited, emphasize transferable skills from similar complex commercial projects.

• Tool Proficiency: Demonstrate familiarity with key tools like Smartsheet, AutoCAD, and project management software. Explain how you leveraged these tools for efficiency and reporting.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Prepare a concise executive summary of your portfolio and be ready to walk through key projects efficiently.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Be prepared for questions like: "How would you handle a significant design change request late in the preconstruction phase?" or "Describe a time you had to manage conflicting priorities between customer needs and budget constraints."

• Technical Knowledge: Brush up on data center MEP systems, design build principles, and common construction challenges.

• Financial Acumen: Practice discussing project budgets, cost control strategies, and ROI considerations for design decisions.

• Leadership and Team Management: Prepare examples of how you have led design teams, managed performance, and fostered collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations-focused roles, a portfolio demonstrating process optimization, data analysis, and measurable impact is paramount. This section provides actionable advice on how to frame experience to resonate with hiring managers in a GTM and operations context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Smartsheet: Crucial for project dashboards, reporting, and tracking project metrics. Proficiency in creating and managing dynamic project timelines and status reports is expected.

• AutoCAD: Knowledge and experience working with CAD files are a plus, indicating an ability to interpret and review technical drawings.

• Microsoft Project: Standard for project scheduling and resource management.

• Procore / BIM 360: Project management software commonly used in construction for document control, collaboration, and field management. Familiarity demonstrates an understanding of modern construction project workflows.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Excel: Advanced proficiency is a must for financial modeling, cost tracking, and data analysis.

• Smartsheet Dashboards: Ability to create visual representations of project status, risks, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for leadership reporting.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly a CRM role, understanding how design deliverables and project timelines impact sales cycles and customer satisfaction is key. Awareness of how design processes integrate with CRM data (e.g., project status updates affecting sales forecasts) is beneficial.

• Integration Tools: Familiarity with how design data might feed into ERP systems or other operational platforms for financial tracking and procurement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on Smartsheet, Procore, and BIM 360 highlights Aligned's commitment to modern, data-driven project management. Proficiency in these tools is essential for efficient operations and effective GTM support.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Efficiency: A drive to find better, faster, and more cost-effective ways to manage the design process, directly contributing to Aligned's operational excellence and competitive edge.

• Customer Focus: Commitment to understanding and meeting customer needs through meticulous design and project delivery, ensuring satisfaction and retention.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Ability to work effectively across diverse teams (Sales, Engineering, Operations, external partners), fostering strong working relationships and driving collective success.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for project outcomes, from design inception through handover, ensuring all directives and commitments are met with integrity.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Utilizing project metrics, financial data, and performance indicators to inform decisions and continuously improve processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engaging with Sales, Solutions Engineering, and Operations teams to ensure designs meet commercial and operational requirements.

• Proactive Communication: Maintaining open and transparent communication channels with all stakeholders, including regular reporting and timely escalations.

• Feedback Culture: Open to receiving and providing constructive feedback to improve design quality and process efficiency.

• Problem-Solving Orientation: Working collaboratively to address challenges and find innovative solutions that benefit the project and the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: Aligned's values of innovation, efficiency, and customer focus are directly transferable to the operational success of any GTM function. Understanding how these values manifest in a design management role provides insight into the company's operational philosophy.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Competing Demands: Managing the inherent conflicts between aggressive project timelines, budget constraints, evolving customer requirements, and ensuring design quality and compliance.

• Third-Party Management: Effectively leading and holding accountable external design teams who may have different priorities or work styles.

• Rapid Industry Evolution: Staying abreast of new technologies, sustainable design practices, and evolving data center requirements in a fast-paced industry.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring seamless communication and agreement among diverse internal teams (Sales, Engineering, Operations) and external partners throughout the project lifecycle.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Project Management: Opportunities to gain certifications or specialized training in advanced project management methodologies.

• Data Center Specialization: Deep dive into specific areas of data center design, such as power distribution, cooling systems, or advanced security measures.

• Leadership Development: Formal training and mentorship programs aimed at developing strong leadership and team management skills for managing larger teams and portfolios.

• Industry Exposure: Attending industry conferences and events to stay current on best practices, emerging technologies, and network with peers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Recognizing these challenges and opportunities is vital for operations professionals looking to make a strategic impact. The growth potential here is significant, offering a clear path for career advancement within a critical industry sector.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to leading a design team through a complex data center project, ensuring alignment with both technical specifications and business objectives." (Focus on process, team motivation, and outcome-oriented management).

• "How do you prioritize and manage conflicting demands from sales, engineering, and operations teams during the design phase of a critical infrastructure project?" (Highlight your negotiation, prioritization, and communication skills).

• "Walk me through a time you identified a significant design risk early on. What steps did you take to mitigate it, and what was the outcome?" (Showcase your proactive problem-solving and risk management capabilities).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your research, what do you see as Aligned's key differentiators in the data center market, and how would your role contribute to those?" (Demonstrate your understanding of the company's strategic position and your role's impact on GTM).

• "How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within your design teams?" (Connect your approach to Aligned's stated values).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation around 2-3 key projects. For each, clearly define the challenge, your role, the process/solution implemented, the results (quantified), and lessons learned.

• Metrics: Be ready to present specific data points—cost savings, schedule adherence, efficiency improvements, risk reduction percentages.

• Process Flow: Visually represent your design management process, highlighting key decision points, approvals, and handoffs.

• Customer Focus: Emphasize how your design management contributed to meeting customer needs and contract fulfillment.

• Conciseness: Practice your presentation to ensure it is clear, compelling, and within any allotted time limits.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations roles, demonstrating a structured, data-driven, and customer-centric approach is key. These interview questions and preparation tips are designed to help candidates showcase these critical competencies effectively.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Aligned Data Centers careers page.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience in data center design, construction management, project leadership, and proficiency with tools like Smartsheet and AutoCAD. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 9+ years of progressive experience, focusing on managing design programs, preconstruction activities, and cross-functional collaboration. Use keywords from the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly review the company website, recent news, and industry trends in data centers. Prepare specific examples from your past projects that demonstrate your problem-solving skills, leadership, and ability to manage complex design processes. Practice your portfolio presentation.

• Company Research: Understand Aligned's mission, values, and market position. Consider how your role as a Senior Design Manager directly contributes to their Go-To-Market strategy and operational success in delivering critical infrastructure solutions.

⚠️ 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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