About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage is committed to being a workplace of inclusion, equity, respect and acceptance. We celebrate diversity and intentionally seek out opportunities to learn from one another’s experience.

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Position Description

Vantage is actively seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager for the Berlin and Warsaw markets to strategically lead and enhance design and engineering efforts in the construction and development delivery process. The role involves holistic ownership of the design life cycle, managing engineering teams, overseeing procurement processes, and serving as the primary point of contact for department leaders. The Senior Design Manager will foster seamless collaboration across functions, drive uniformity in product delivery, and work closely with the Design Services team to improve processes and tackle engineering challenges. This role requires a professional with extensive data center design management experience and a proven track record of excellence in complex engineering projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Design Leadership: Take charge of the development, review, maintenance, and enhancement of design packages, standards, and specifications to ensure consistent, reliable systems.

• Client Interaction and Reporting: Foster strong client relationships by leading technical meetings and providing regular, detailed updates on design progress, risks, blockers, changes, and priorities to the Vantage Regional Project Lead and Leadership Team.

• Procurement and Vendor Management: Support procurement and regional project lead, overseeing the selection of local partners for design development, contract oversight, and Value Engineering (VE) implementation.

• Process Improvement: Develop and enhance design, procurement, and construction processes to streamline Operations delivery, including change management with consultants and contractors.

• Quality Assurance and Risk Management: Anticipate, report, and mitigate design and engineering quality, risks, and opportunities through regular inspections on-site. Ensure alignment of OFCI design with executed design within the region.

• Team Development: Conduct regular meetings with design teams, provide feedback, and foster a culture of continuous improvement through Lessons Learned meetings.

• Technical Interface: Utilize your technical expertise to interface with the final customer, ensuring compliance with project requirements, codes, and specifications.

• Design Baselines: Own and drive early design baselines and OPR deviation logs aligned with customer requirements in the region.

• Cost Management: Actively provide insight into potential cost implications arising from project and design-based development.

• Benchmarking and Quality: Drive benchmarking initiatives for internal regional alignment and ensure the highest design and construction quality standards.

• Coordination and Integration: Be a proactive custodian for all design changes proposed by other departments and third parties, ensuring seamless integration.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, building services engineering, or a related technical field from an accredited institution preferred. Alternative, relevant education or experience such as military service or exceptional experience/training may be considered.

• 5+ years of experience in data center design management or equivalent leadership roles; 7+ years preferred.

• Proficiency in data center design and familiarity with Europe construction markets.

• Strong knowledge of critical cooling and power infrastructure within data center projects.

• Familiarity with building codes and fire ordinances.

• Fluent in German or Polish and English.

• Willingness to travel (20 – 30% expected).

As the Senior Design Manager, you will be instrumental in advancing the design and engineering excellence of Vantage's data center projects, contributing to the growth and success of our organization. Your technical acumen, leadership skills, and dedication to innovation will shape the future of data center development in the region.
 

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