RED is an expanding international M&E consultancy, with a proven track record in low‑energy design, focused on providing excellent solutions to clients. Through market‑leading expertise we enable the world’s digital infrastructure and develop the built environment, helping clients realise zero‑carbon built environments. We cover the entire life‑cycle of any building project, saving time, money and effort while listening to our clients and collaborating with stakeholders.
We now seek a fully experienced Senior Design Manager to join our London or Bicester office.
Role Responsibilities
The Senior Design Manager (SDM) leads and coordinates multidisciplinary design activities across complex hyperscale and technology‑driven data‑centre projects. Operating with high autonomy, the SDM owns day‑to‑day design management on assigned projects and acts as the principal design point of contact for internal teams, external consultants, and clients. Working closely with Associate Design Managers who oversee broader portfolios, the SDM ensures design deliverables meet requirements, client standards and key milestones from feasibility through concept, 50/80/100% design stages and into post‑contract support. The role demands strong leadership, excellent communication and a deep understanding of MEP, architectural, structural, civil and specialist data‑centre systems, driving quality, technical accuracy and coordinated outputs across all workstreams.
- Lead, organise and coordinate multidisciplinary design teams (MEP, architecture, structures, civils, security, sustainability, acoustics and specialist SMEs).
- Operate autonomously in daily design management activities with minimal direction.
- Serve as the principal design interface alongside the wider project team, ensuring consistent communication and alignment across all stakeholders.
- Capture client requirements and translate them into clear tunnel‑gated design deliverables (Masterplan, 50%, 80%, 100% packages).
- Ensure design outputs meet project demands, quality standards, regulatory requirements and global data‑centre benchmarks (e.g., Uptime Institute, ASHRAE TC 9.9, ISO/IEC standards).
- Oversee compliance with planning, permitting, building regulations and localisation requirements.
- Manage design programmes and track progress against milestones, proactively identifying risks, clashes or schedule impacts.
- Lead design change‑control processes in collaboration with project management, ensuring robust documentation, traceability and scope clarity.
- Support value engineering while maintaining performance, schedule and cost objectives.
- Act as the primary technical point of contact for clients, consultants, sub‑consultants and internal teams.
- Lead and chair design meetings, technical workshops and high‑quality design page‑turn sessions (virtual or in‑person).
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, addressing performance concerns early and effectively.
- Ensure rigorous QA/QC processes, technical reviews and risk‑management protocols are applied across deliverables.
- Contribute to the internal development of design‑management systems, tools, templates and best‑practice processes.
- Support business development, representing the discipline and the business with professionalism and technical excellence.
- Mentor and support junior design managers, engineers and discipline leads.
- Promote high standards of behaviour, documentation, collaboration and technical excellence across the team.
Role Requirements
- 5+ years at Senior Engineer or Design Manager level.
- MSc/MEng (or equivalent) in an appropriate engineering discipline (desirable); BSc/BEng minimum.
- Professional membership (e.g., MCIBSE, MIEE, IMechE, MCIOB, APM PMQ, PRINCE2) desirable; Chartered status preferred.
- Proven project management and multidisciplinary design experience with data centres or other large‑scale, complex engineering projects.
- Strong MEP background with exposure to highly engineered or mission‑critical environments.
- Experience working in fast‑track, client‑driven design cycles (typically 20–25 weeks).
- Knowledge of redundancy strategies (UTI, Sub‑UTI, distributed redundancy) preferred.
- Strong understanding of the full design lifecycle and multidisciplinary coordination.
- Able to manage multiple concurrent workstreams with autonomy.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with cross‑cultural awareness.
- Commercially aware with experience in fee management, resource planning and financial controls.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, MS Project; familiarity with Autodesk Construction Cloud, Planisware and design‑related tools desirable.
- Strong scope management, prioritisation and risk awareness.
- Knowledge of UK and European codes, NEC4/JCT contract frameworks and their impact on design obligations.
- High level of adaptability, proactivity and self‑motivation.
- Willingness to travel internationally as required.
- Strong understanding of company QA processes, internal governance and long‑term business goals.
- Awareness of international working practices within a global consultancy environment.
Benefits
- 23 days annual leave rising to 28 days over 5 years of service.
- Holiday purchase and buy‑back scheme.
- Hybrid working.
- Contributory company pension scheme.
- Healthcare scheme via salary sacrifice (company‑funded cover depends on level).
- Non‑contractual bonus awards.
- Training sponsorship.
- Charity volunteering leave.
- Wellness days / initiatives.
- Salary commensurate with experience.
- Friendly teams with collaborative approach and mentoring support from talented leaders.
- Equal‑opportunity employer; comprehensive benefits package.
- Applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions; sponsorship not offered at present.
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