Design Manager (Data Centres)

Description

The Design Manager plays a critical role in driving the successful delivery of a hyperscale data centre project. This role is responsible for overseeing all design activities from early planning through to completion, ensuring the integration of architectural, structural and highly complex building services systems required for mission critical performance. The Design Manager will coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, assess buildability in a data centre context, and ensure all design outputs align with client technical requirements, operational needs and Hickory's delivery standards.

• Oversee complete design documentation, ensuring clarity across consultants, subcontractors, and commissioning teams.
• Expert In-House Team: Collaborate with our dedicated structures and facades team.
• Monitor design changes and manage associated technical and commercial risk, including long-lead equipment impacts.
• Provide expert guidance on data centre-specific design implications, including electrical and mechanical capacity, equipment layouts, thermal performance, and integration with structural and architectural systems.
• Maintain strict cost control over the design brief, preventing unnecessary scope escalation.
• Integrate Hickory's design processes and the Hickory Way® into all project documentation and consultant outputs.
• Offer recommendations on value management and cost optimisation while maintaining resilience, reliability, and Tier-level requirements.
• Assess build feasibility with a focus on constrained environments, complex services coordination, equipment clearances, modularisation, and prefabrication opportunities.
• Embed sustainable and energy-efficient design principles, including optimised cooling systems, power usage effectiveness (PUE) considerations, and renewable/backup power integrations.
• Ensure consistent adoption of Hickory's design methodologies across data centre projects, incorporating lessons learned and continuous improvement.
• Lead communication with consultants, services engineers, specialist vendors, and client-side technical teams, ensuring timely response to design queries.
• Oversee the adoption of digital engineering, BIM, and advanced coordination tools to enhance accuracy and reduce site rework.
• Develop and maintain a Data Centre Design Management Plan, tailored to project scale, MEP complexity, and client specification.
• Conduct regular internal design reviews to improve efficiency, mitigate risks, and streamline processes for complex MEP-heavy environments.
• Prepare and lead design meetings, issuing agendas, documentation packs, and clear action tracking.
• Manage the full design lifecycle for data centre projects, from pre-planning through construction, ensuring all design solutions meet project goals, client technical briefs, and mission-critical performance standards.
• Facilitate design and technical workshops, including MEP coordination, constructability reviews, commissioning planning, and integration meetings with operational stakeholders.
• Maintain safe design practices, incorporating critical risk assessment for high-voltage systems, cooling strategies, fire separation, and plant rooms.
• Ensure all design outputs meet Hickory's quality benchmarks and client technical specifications.
• Resolve design conflicts efficiently, collaborating with consultants, subcontractors, and internal engineers.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years' experience in Design Management, preferably with exposure to data centres, mission-critical infrastructure, large-scale MEP-intensive projects, or commercial buildings with complex services.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance, technical standards, services integration, and specialist data centre requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership and the ability to coordinate multidisciplinary design teams.
• Proven ability to incorporate innovative design concepts and leverage BIM/digital engineering tools to enhance design coordination, accuracy, and delivery.
• Experience managing design budgets, services-heavy scopes, and long-lead equipment risk.
• Bachelor degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, or equivalent.

Benefits

• Diverse Opportunities: Gain exposure to a wide range of roles and industry leaders in our leading market company.
• Continuous Career Advancement: Unlock your potential through ongoing career development and growth prospects.
• Novated Leases: Take advantage of novated leasing options to maximize your salary and enjoy tax savings on vehicle expenses.
• Family-Friendly Policies: Receive paid parental leave to support your family needs.
• Employee Wellbeing: Access our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for valuable support and resources.
• H-Perks Employee Rewards: Access exclusive discounts, cashback and everyday savings through our internal benefits platform.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a balanced work-life schedule with a standard 5-day work week.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance