Design Manager AMER East

Job Description

Your role

As the design manager, you will be responsible for implementing Digital Realty Design & Engineering Guidelines & Standards and will lead the design of multiple, concurrent projects. You’ll provide strategic and innovative thinking regarding the design and engineering of our data center development projects and manage challenging deliverables against aggressive project expectations (within budget and set schedule objectives).

What you’ll do

• Preparation of requests for proposals (RFPs) to Architectural/Engineering consultants and Commissioning Agents.
• Evaluation of proposals and recommendations to management regarding vendor selection.
• Direct and oversee Professional Consultants (Architects, Engineers) and Equipment Suppliers throughout the design process.
• Typical projects include: Greenfield construction of shell, powered base buildings/office, and data center suites. Renovation projects including suite refreshes, equipment upgrades, end-of-life replacements.
• Review and approve/deny consultant invoices.
• Ensure adequate tracking of any DEG deviations throughout project.
• Apply DLR Design & Engineering Guidelines / Standards to all projects to assure that standards are up to date with industry best practices and meet Company’s business objectives (emphasis on value-engineering).
• Work with Delivery Team in the preparation and review of schedule/budgets and forecasts related to anticipated design and construction expenditures.
• Review OFCI equipment submittals and make recommendations to Delivery and Procurement team.
• Host page turn meetings, reviewing designs and providing feedback to the consultant team. Review Sequence of Operations, drawings, Basis of Design documents, commissioning plans and testing scripts.
• For Build-to-Suit projects, act as the primary customer contact for the development of customized data center development projects. Liaise with internal stakeholders such as sales and business development team.
• This will include leading the consultant team, preparing detailed development of work letters including program (scope), budget (emphasis on value-engineering) and schedule documents to support DLR leasing activities.
• Draft and deliver presentations throughout project lifecycle to upper management in order to adhere to DLR gating process.
• Develop and maintain vendor relationships (Contractors, Architects, Engineers, Consultants, etc) to provide cost-effective services for DLR projects.
• Prepare monthly project reports regarding the budget, schedule and scope objectives of assigned projects through design process. Ensure smooth handoff of monthly reporting to delivery team.
• Tour project sites during construction. Attend Level 4 and 5 commissioning activities.
• Participate in internal design team meetings to innovate and recommend new technologies or design concepts.
  
  

What you’ll need

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline.
• Professional License (AIA or PE/PEng) preferred.
• 7 years of demonstrated project management experience of technically complex projects.
• 7 years of direct design and/or commissioning experience.
• Ability to direct and manage internal and external resources.
• Ability to understand and interpret design drawings, construction drawings, construction specifications, design and construction contracts, project schedules, and detailed budgets and estimate summaries.
• Excellent understanding of advanced electrical, mechanical, security/monitoring, and fire detection/suppression systems.
• Comprehensive knowledge of standard practices in the design and construction industry.
• General knowledge of design and construction terms and principles and contracts.
• Familiarity with basic building code requirements.
• Computer literate in the use of MS Office software and AutoCAD.
• Financial acumen to recommend, review and analyze budgets and estimates.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently with minimal oversight.
• Strong relationship and interpersonal skills.
• Direct experience on past Digital Realty projects and knowledge of the DEG is preferred.