Requirements: English
Company: g2 Recruitment
Region: Varese , Lombardy
Job Title: Design Manager Data Centre Project
Location: Northern Italy
Employment Type: Full-time freelance
Start Date: June (TBC)
Length of Contract: 12 Months
Rate of Pay: DOE
Work Type: Remote into Hybrid
About the Company
My client is a global developer, owner-operator, and service provider for hyperscale data centres. Our mission is to support the growing digital infrastructure needs of businesses through high-performance, scalable, and sustainable data centre solutions. We design, build, and operate our facilities in-house across international markets.
Role Overview
My client is seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead the design management function for a data centre construction project. This role involves maintaining design integrity, ensuring alignment with project budgets and schedules, and driving innovation and quality across all design stages.
The Design Manager will collaborate with internal departments, external consultants, and contractors to develop design solutions that meet client, operational, and sustainability goals. Youll also support the pre-construction and proposal phases.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and oversee all aspects of design management, ensuring alignment with cost, schedule, constructability, and safety objectives
- Review and manage deliverables from CSA (Civil, Structural, Architectural) and MEPH (Mechanical, Electrical, Public Health) design teams
- Develop and manage standard templates for deliverables and schedules (e.g., IFT, IFC)
- Monitor design KPIs and report progress using appropriate tools (e.g., Information Required Schedules)
- Coordinate with commercial teams to assess design-related costs, changes, and value engineering opportunities
- Identify and resolve inconsistencies or gaps in the design documentation early in the project lifecycle
- Collaborate with project teams to ensure design adherence to Health Safety and QA/QC standards
- Champion digital delivery methods such as BIM, modularization, and prefabrication in collaboration with selected suppliers and contractors
- Foster technical innovation and low-carbon solutions in construction methods, materials, and equipment
- Support construction delivery teams in resolving design-related issues quickly and effectively
- Stay informed on emerging technologies and ensure knowledge is shared across engineering teams
Qualifications and Experience
- 10+ years of experience in complex, high-performance building projects
- Experience with working contractor side of projects and the ability to work with end clients of projects
- Italian Speaking
- Proven knowledge of data centre, pharmaceutical, or mission-critical facility design and construction
- Background in architectural, structural, or MEP engineering (with qualifications preferred)
- Strong commercial awareness with experience in cost estimation, change control, and reporting
- Solid understanding of the full project lifecycle from design through construction and handover
- Competent in risk mitigation and implementing systems to control design scope
- Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills; able to manage multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholders across cultures
- Experience with digital project tools (e.g., BIM, Revit, Navisworks) and a proactive approach to innovation and sustainability
- Ability to work independently without supervision
Preferred Tools and Methodologies
- Proficiency in design review tools and scheduling software
- Familiarity with BIM Level 2 or higher
- Working knowledge of low-carbon and modular construction principles
- Comfortable working in fast-paced, high-compliance environments