Data Centre Design Manager

Always wanted to challenge the obvious and make great things happen? At Goodman we create space for your greatness.

Our organization is a dynamic and innovative real estate company, serving as both a developer and investor with a primary focus on logistics real estate. We are expanding our portfolio to include cutting-edge data centre development projects and are therefore seeking experienced data centre professionals.

Goodman is seeking an experienced  Design Manager (based in Milan, Italy)  to join our expanding Data Centre project team. As the Design Manager, you will play a pivotal role in our data centre projects, working closely with the Project Lead and the Project Manager, the wider project team, the internal departments, external consultants and contractors. Your primary responsibilities will include inter alia: selecting and managing engineering firms and experts, delivering high-quality, time and cost-effective design solutions and overseeing the Contractor’s design efforts before and during construction.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in multidisciplinary design management (CSA, MEP, Firefighting, etc.), extensive experience in hyperscale or colocation data centres, and the ability to manage complex stakeholders’ environments.

More concretely, this means:

Key Responsibilities:

1. Design Management

• Coordinate, advise, monitor and control project design team (internal and external) activities to deliver high-quality design solutions at the best time, cost, sustainability, reliability, scalability, safety and constructability options.
• Ensure coordination and integration of all systems (power, cooling, IT, security, firefighting) and with respect to CSA (Civil, Structural, Architectural) aspects.
• Lead cost/time-benefit analyses and present solutions that meet project goals.
• Manage appointed engineering firms and selected experts and consultants, distributing tasks and workload to ensure balanced output and the delivery of quality design work.
• Oversee design development since inception till RIBA3 stage and ensure over the entire cycle the production of accurate construction documents and specifications according to Goodman and/or final users’ requirements, aiming for a 100% satisfaction rate.
• Promote energy-efficient and sustainable design solutions, while supporting implementation of ESG strategies and certifications (e.g. BREEAM, LEED).
• Ensure that all aspects of the design are progressively reviewed, confirmed and approved as required by internal procedures within the agreed timeline.
• Review and manage (internal and/or end-user driven) design change requests during all stages of design, providing visibility and clarity on cost and time impacts.
• Provide design input to balance end-user requirements with potential project constraints.
• Support project managers, schedulers and cost managers in developing, implementing and managing project-specific design work plans, schedules and budgets.
• Act as the main point of reference for all design activities within the project team, providing internal stakeholders with timely updates on design elements and any changes.
• Represent the organization in regular design and project meetings with external design firms and consultants.

2. Tendering, Contracting, and Consultant / General Contractor (GC) Management:

• Prepare and execute Architectural and Engineering Consultant Agreements, clearly defining Scope of Work, Services, and Fees based on the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) and specific local and project requirements.
• Lead the procurement process for design and consultancy services, including managing Request for Information (RFIs) and Proposals (RFPs) and evaluate proposals to justify selections.
• Review and approve consultant invoices, proactively managing project budgets, and leading value engineering initiatives to ensure cost alignment.
• Assist project team during General Contractor’ tender by ensuring completeness and correctness of the design documentation provided and assessing time, cost and actual viability of the potential value engineering solutions proposed.
• Oversee and supervise the selected General Contractor’s design efforts, especially during RIBA Stage 4 (Technical Design) and RIBA Stage 5 (Construction), ensuring the designs adhere to the project and contract documentation and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor the consistency between the OPR and construction documents, flagging and documenting any deviations for resolution.
• Conduct regular QA/QC reviews of the Contractor’s design submissions, ensuring all deliverables meet the project’s quality standards and compliance requirements.
• Ensure close collaboration with the Contractor during construction to resolve design issues swiftly and ensure alignment between design and site execution.

3. Compliance and Risk Management:

• Ensure full adherence to design standards, documenting any deviations after reaching a consensus with all the relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure design solutions are fully compliant with all Italian and European applicable laws and regulations, including industry standards (TIER, IEC, etc.).
• Proactively identify and effectively manage design-related risks, developing mitigation strategies to ensure the project remains on track and within the budget.

4. Collaboration and team support

• Prepare basic drawings and preliminary layout solutions to investigate potential sites buildability according to due diligence outputs and internal design templates.
• Support project team in presenting design solutions to stakeholders, including end-users.
• Collaborate effectively with the entire project team and internal departments, ensuring that any proposed exceptions or changes are communicated and understood by all stakeholders.
• Assist, when needed, programme team in defining and reviewing OPR, technical standards, specifications and design guidelines.

Qualifications:

  Education & experience

• Master Degree in Engineering (Building, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, IT).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in data centres design, focusing on CSA and MEP systems development.
• Experience leading complex multi-disciplinary design teams and managing new construction, tenant improvements, and capital improvement projects.
• Proven expertise in consultant negotiation and contract management.
• PMP or PgMP certification is a plus.

Knowledge, skills & abilities

• Strong understanding of contractual obligations, building regulations, and project delivery frameworks (RIBA).
• Advanced command of urban planning, building permits, firefighting and environmental authorization procedures in Italy.
• Proficient in interpreting design and construction drawings, project schedules, budgets, and cost estimates.
• Strong understanding of Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Firefighting and fibre design concepts.
• Expertise in construction projects, particularly data centres, with a strong focus on MEP systems.
• Proficiency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, MS Project and drafting software (AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks);
• Strong leadership.
• Customer Management skills. 
• Excellent communication, coordination, and presentation skills.
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail.
• Problem-solving and decision-making capability under pressure.
• Ability to develop creative solutions to reduce costs while maintaining high standards.
• Experience in guiding new design concepts through detailed design, peer review, construction, and operational phases.
• Knowledge of Italian. 

Compensation & Benefits

We offer a competitive total reward package aligned with the scope and responsibilities of the role, including fixed compensation with a range between 75.000€ -  100.000€, a company car or car allowance, meal vouchers, short-term incentive (STI) opportunities, and participation in long-term incentive (LTI) plans. 

The role is classified under the National Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Commerce, Distribution and Services sector (CCNL settore del Commercio, Terziario - Distribuzione e Servizi), within the Category Quadro.

Compensation decisions are based on objective, transparent and gender-neutral criteria, taking into account factors such as relevant experience, skills, qualifications, market benchmarks and the scope of the role.

Not sure if you fit the profile? Let’s find out together!

Let’s introduce ourselves a little more:

Goodman owns, develops, and manages modern industrial real estate including logistics facilities, data centres and business parks in strategic locations around the world. In total, we have a team of around 1.000, located across 5 continents. In Continental Europe we are active in 7 countries, including offices in Amsterdam, Brussels, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan and Paris.

Contrary to traditional organisations where leadership is based on hierarchy, ours is based on collective leadership, collaborative governance, individual ownership and accountability. Most importantly, we want to make room for growth for everyone to remain agile in responding to the constantly changing world, to increase effectiveness, act with respect and contribute to greatness.

How do we look at the world of tomorrow?

At Goodman we believe we all have a role to play in safeguarding the future for next generations. Therefore, sustainability is the driving force behind everything we do. Not only do we foster a sustainable and inclusive working environment for all our employees but also, throughout all our projects, we are continuously challenging ourselves to make sustainability a reality. All of this is part of Goodman’s DNA and at the centre of everything we do. At Goodman, we believe it’s not enough to talk the talk - we also need to walk the walk!