Sr. Design Manager - Data Center

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Sr. Design Manager - Data Center

Company: Arcadis

Location: Jacksonville, FL, United States

Job Type: Full time

Category: Construction & Engineering Operations

Date Posted: 2026-09-29T14:41:26

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the design management and coordination for large-scale, mission-critical hyperscale data center projects, acting as the owner's representative.

• Lead and integrate multidisciplinary teams, consultants, and contractors through all project phases, from planning and design to construction execution.

• Implement robust project controls, including comprehensive budgeting, detailed scheduling, and proactive risk management strategies to ensure project success.

• Oversee critical design review processes, constructability assessments, value engineering initiatives, and quality assurance protocols to meet stringent project standards.

• Manage contract administration, support procurement activities, and expertly handle change order processes to maintain project integrity and financial control.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior-level Design Manager, implying significant responsibility for leading complex projects and teams. The focus on hyperscale data centers and acting as the owner's representative indicates a need for strong client-facing skills and deep understanding of mission-critical infrastructure development. The integration of "operations" into the category reflects the critical operational oversight required for these types of facilities.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary owner's representative throughout all project phases, ensuring alignment with client objectives and operational requirements.

• Lead comprehensive design coordination efforts, facilitating seamless collaboration between internal design teams, external consultants, and construction partners.

• Develop and manage detailed project plans, encompassing scope definition, schedule adherence, budget control, and resource allocation for complex data center projects.

• Implement and manage rigorous risk management frameworks, identifying potential issues, developing mitigation strategies, and ensuring proactive issue resolution.

• Oversee and conduct thorough design reviews, constructability assessments, and value engineering workshops to optimize design efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

• Administer project contracts, including support for procurement processes, contract negotiations, and the meticulous management of change orders and claims.

• Track and report on project deliverables, key milestones, and overall progress, providing regular updates to senior management and stakeholders.

• Ensure meticulous document control, maintain design records, and oversee the creation and management of as-built documentation for project closeout and future reference.

• Support the development of accurate cost estimates and provide detailed financial reporting throughout the project lifecycle.

• Drive successful project execution through proactive planning, effective stakeholder engagement, and the resolution of complex technical and contractual issues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a deep dive into the operational aspects of project delivery within the data center sector. Emphasis is placed on proactive management, risk mitigation, and ensuring that designs translate into functional, efficient, and maintainable facilities. This goes beyond typical project management to encompass the long-term operational viability of the built asset.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a closely related technical field. A strong academic foundation in these areas is crucial for understanding complex design and construction principles. Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience specifically managing the design and construction of complex projects. This extensive experience is expected to cover a broad range of project lifecycles and challenges.

• Demonstrated experience leading and directing multidisciplinary project teams, including engineers, architects, specialists, and contractors, through all project phases.

• Proven track record in managing project controls, including sophisticated budgeting, detailed scheduling, and comprehensive risk management frameworks. Required Skills:

• Design Management: Expertise in overseeing the entire design process, ensuring architectural and engineering integrity, and coordinating complex interdisciplinary designs.

• Project Planning & Execution: Ability to develop comprehensive project plans, define scope, set milestones, and manage execution to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery of mission-critical facilities.

• Design Coordination: Skill in facilitating effective communication and collaboration among diverse design consultants, contractors, and internal stakeholders to resolve design conflicts and ensure integration.

• Project Controls: Proficiency in advanced project controls, including budgeting, cost management, scheduling software, and performance tracking for large-scale infrastructure projects.

• Risk Management: Strong capability in identifying, assessing, and mitigating project risks, with a focus on proactive strategies to prevent delays and cost overruns in complex environments.

• Contract Administration: In-depth understanding of contract types, administration, negotiation, and management of change orders and claims within construction and engineering projects.

• Stakeholder Coordination: Excellent ability to manage relationships and communications with a wide array of stakeholders, including clients, regulatory bodies, and internal teams, ensuring alignment and buy-in.

• Multidisciplinary Team Leadership: Proven leadership skills to guide, motivate, and manage diverse technical teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.

Preferred Skills:

• Professional Certifications: Possession of a PE (Professional Engineer), RA (Registered Architect), PMP (Project Management Professional), or CCM (Certified Construction Manager) designation.

• Data Center Expertise: Specific experience in delivering hyperscale data centers, mission-critical facilities, or other complex industrial infrastructure projects.

• BIM/VDC Proficiency: Familiarity and practical experience with Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) methodologies and digital project delivery tools.

• Owner's Representative Experience: Background working in owner's representative, program management, or construction management roles, providing strategic oversight from the client's perspective.

• Multi-Project Management: Experience managing multiple concurrent projects across various geographic locations, demonstrating strong organizational and prioritization skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of technical design knowledge, robust project management skills, and specialized experience in data center development. The preference for professional certifications and specific industry experience (hyperscale data centers) indicates a highly specialized and demanding role within the operations and project delivery domain.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Project Case Studies: Detailed documentation of 2-3 significant design and construction projects managed, preferably in the data center or mission-critical sector. Each case study should highlight your role, the project's complexity, key challenges, and your specific contributions to successful outcomes.

• Process Improvement Examples: Evidence of implemented process improvements in design coordination, project controls, or risk management, demonstrating a quantifiable impact on efficiency, cost savings, or schedule adherence.

• System Implementation Documentation: Examples of how you have leveraged or managed the implementation of project management software, BIM/VDC tools, or other digital platforms to enhance project delivery and collaboration.

• Budget & Schedule Management Artifacts: Sample reports or summaries demonstrating your ability to develop, track, and manage project budgets and schedules effectively, showcasing your financial acumen and planning capabilities.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Ability to document and present workflows for critical design phases, including design reviews, RFI management, submittal processes, and change order procedures, highlighting areas of optimization.

• Implementation & Automation: Showcase understanding of how project management and design technologies are implemented and integrated into project workflows to improve efficiency and data accuracy.

• Measurement & Analysis: Demonstrate experience in defining key performance indicators (KPIs) for design and construction processes, and how data is collected, analyzed, and used for continuous improvement and reporting.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a senior operations role like this, a portfolio is crucial. It needs to showcase not just what was managed, but how it was managed, emphasizing process, methodology, and tangible results in complex infrastructure projects. The focus on digital tools and data-driven improvements is key for modern operations roles.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $102,400 - $153,600 USD per year.

• This range reflects the senior level of the role, the specialized experience required for data center design management, and the responsibilities associated with acting as an owner's representative. Actual compensation will be determined by factors such as candidate experience, education, location-specific cost of living, and internal equity. Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Includes Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans to support employee well-being.

• Retirement Savings: A 401(k) plan is offered, providing a pathway for long-term financial security.

• Income Protection: Short-Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD), Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D), and Life Insurance policies are provided.

• Work-Life Balance Support: Paid Parental Leave, nine paid holidays, and 15 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) that accrue annually.

• Professional Development & Recognition: Access to a Rewards & Recognition program, Wellbeing Benefits, Adoption Assistance, and Tuition Reimbursement.

• Employee Support: An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available for confidential support.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time position, typically requiring 40 hours per week. While the core hours are standard, flexibility may be required based on project demands and critical deadlines, common in the project management and operations fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided and is competitive for a senior Design Manager role in the US, especially for specialized sectors like data centers. The extensive benefits package underscores Arcadis' commitment to employee welfare and work-life balance, which are important considerations for experienced professionals in demanding roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering, Design, and Consultancy for Natural and Built Assets. Arcadis operates within a global market focused on creating sustainable solutions for infrastructure and environmental challenges. This context means the company values innovation, technical expertise, and a forward-thinking approach to project delivery.

Company Size: Over 34,000 employees globally. This large size indicates a robust organizational structure, ample resources, and opportunities for diverse career paths and cross-functional collaboration. For operations professionals, this means access to established processes, a wide range of tools, and potential for specialization.

Founded: The founding date is not explicitly stated, but Arcadis has a long history, suggesting a stable and experienced organization with a deep understanding of its industry.

Team Structure:

• Operations Team: This role likely sits within a larger project management or engineering division focused on delivering complex infrastructure projects. The team is expected to be composed of experienced professionals with diverse technical backgrounds.

• Reporting Structure: The Sr. Design Manager will likely report to a senior director or vice president of project delivery or a similar executive role, overseeing multiple projects or a specific portfolio. They will, in turn, lead project-specific teams.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: This role necessitates extensive collaboration with internal Arcadis teams (e.g., project controls, procurement, legal, other engineering disciplines) as well as external stakeholders including clients, consultants, regulatory bodies, and contractors.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: Arcadis emphasizes leveraging data for informed decision-making, performance tracking, and continuous improvement in project outcomes.

• Workflow Optimization: A focus on streamlining processes, adopting best practices, and utilizing technology to enhance efficiency and project delivery.

• Sustainability & Impact: A core company value is delivering sustainable solutions, which translates into project planning and execution that considers long-term environmental and social impact.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Arcadis' global presence and focus on sustainability suggest a culture that values expertise, collaboration, and long-term impact. For an operations role, this translates to working within a structured yet dynamic environment that encourages innovation and data-informed decision-making.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Management. This role represents a significant step in a career focused on project delivery and operational oversight within the engineering and construction sectors. It involves leading complex, high-stakes projects and managing significant budgets and teams.

Reporting Structure: The Sr. Design Manager will report to senior leadership within Arcadis' project delivery or engineering divisions, likely a Director or VP. They will manage project-specific teams, including designers, engineers, and project coordinators, and collaborate extensively with client representatives.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and substantial impact on the successful delivery of critical infrastructure. By ensuring efficient design, robust project controls, and effective stakeholder management, the Sr. Design Manager influences project timelines, budgets, quality, and ultimately, the operational readiness and success of hyperscale data centers.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to progress into roles such as Program Director, Head of Design Management, or a senior executive position within Arcadis' project delivery organization, overseeing larger