Architectural Design Manager in Ashburn

Job Description

Who We Are

Our purpose at CloudHQ is to provide flexible, efficient, and resilient data center solutions to businesses of all sizes. Our growing organization was founded by the pioneer of data center REITs. CloudHQ has state-of-the-art data center sites located in two Northern Virginia locations, as well as London, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, and Sao Paulo, and we anticipate exponential growth over the next several years both in the US and abroad.

What The Role Entails

The Architectural Design Manager will be a critical member of CloudHQ’s design team and lead the design and delivery of Architectural design and associated building systems for CloudHQ data centers across the Americas. Spanning the full project lifecycle — from master planning and concept design through construction, and operational handover — this role is accountable for ensuring our facilities meet the highest standards of performance, resilience, and efficiency for both CloudHQ and our customers.

Working closely with customers, architects, engineers, contractors, and CloudHQ’s Preconstruction, Construction, and Operations teams, this role demands a results-driven professional with a strong bias for action. The successful candidate will proactively identify and mitigate risk, drive timely decisions, and push projects to completion with urgency — while maintaining sound engineering judgment and technical rigor.

Requirements

What You Will Get To Do

Design Management

• Lead (and be the single point of accountability for) the initiation and execution of Architectural systems design, driving a focus on program consistency, reliability, efficiency, constructability, cost-conscious decisions, safety, and sustainability.
• Manage third-party consultant teams to develop detailed designs aligned with both customer requirements and CloudHQ objectives, while continuously improving and enhancing CloudHQ’s standard solutions.
• Oversee design deliverables, project specifications, schedules, and task allocations to ensure high-quality, timely output.
• Support campus planning, entitlements, design, and permitting processes from site acquisition through construction document delivery on multiple, simultaneous projects.

Project & Stakeholder Engagement

• Partner with customers to translate technical requirements into CloudHQ data center designs that achieve high compliance while maximizing value for all stakeholders.
• Engage cross-functional teams (Site Acquisition, Preconstruction, Construction, Operations) to inform key design decisions, retaining clear ownership and accountability for final outcomes.
• Proactively translate and communicate design constraints, risks, and impacts to internal leadership stakeholders.
• Collaborate with global design colleagues to share best practices and ensure consistency of standards across all CloudHQ developments.
• Ensure Architectural designs meet CloudHQ’s standards, principles, values, and operational requirements. Proactively engage appropriate internal design SMEs as needed to address technical challenges and ensure compliance with design standards.
• Represent CloudHQ as Architectural design expert at Owner-Architect-Contractor (OAC) meetings.

Innovation & Standards Development

• Research emerging Architectural and building technologies, identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Contribute to CloudHQ’s global design standards, ensuring consistency across regions while adapting to local climate, regulatory, and operational requirements.
• Develop creative solutions and innovations to drive individual and team performance
• Identify and share lessons learned and integrate improvements into future projects

What You Bring To The Role

• Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in – Architecture, Construction Management, or related discipline
• 5+ years of experience in Architectural Design with Manager experience, with a focus on data centers, or mission-critical.
• Experience with commissioning and handover of Architectural systems in a data center environment is .
• Experience in reviewing design documents and ensuring code compliance with specifications.
• Experience with construction project management (BIM360, Helix, etc.) and drawing review software (Bluebeam, ACC, etc)
• Track record of managing external design consultants and coordinating multidisciplinary teams to deliver mission critical projects.
• Deep technical knowledge of Architectural systems, including building envelope systems, site improvements, drainage, structural framing & foundations, construction detailing, roofing, waterproofing, lighting, millwork, door/frame/hardware, & finishes
• Demonstrated ability to proactively identify, escalate, and mitigate technical, commercial, and schedule risks before they impact project delivery.
• High sense of ownership and accountability, with a track record of driving complex initiatives to closure on aggressive timelines.
• Strong communicator and influencer, able to align cross-functional stakeholders and push issues to resolution without unnecessary delay.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced, high-growth environment while maintaining forward momentum.
• Strategic thinker with a continuous improvement mindset, balancing rapid execution with long-term performance and reliability objectives.
• Flexible and committed, with the ability and willingness to work extended hours when required to meet critical deadlines
• Strong interpersonal skills for effective communication and leadership with contractors, engineers, and internal stakeholders.
• All candidates chosen for consideration must submit to and pass background check
• All employees hired must sign and adhere to CHQ’s Code of Conduct, and Employee Confidentiality Agreement

Travel: Ability to travel to data center sites, client meetings, trainings or conferences as requested and required.

What We Offer

CloudHQ’s people and culture are the most enriching aspects that make us a great place to work. We are strengthened by industry experts who bring extensive knowledge, skill, and experience; leaders who bring vision, innovation and commitment to our people; and an expanding team of individuals who believe in that vision, and bring their best to support their customers and team. Our employees enjoy competitive compensation and rewarding incentives, comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, ), 401(k) with match, 12 paid holidays, generous PTO, development opportunities, and the ability to closely impact and contribute to the growth of an exceptional organization.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CloudHQ is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to , , religion, , , , , , , or expression, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or other legally protected status.