Regional Design Manager

Overview

We have an opportunity for a regional Design manager to join our Data Centre team in Netherlands.

The Regional Design Manager provides leadership for all design management activities within a defined business unit or region, ensuring that project teams deliver design solutions that meet client expectations, statutory requirements and the Group’s strategic objectives. The role oversees the regional design function, providing technical guidance and management to Senior Design Managers, Design Managers and Coordinators, while working closely with project directors, bid teams and operations.

A key responsibility is to integrate Group design and sustainability standards into regional delivery, promoting innovation, risk reduction, value creation and collaboration. The Regional Design Manager represents the design function within the region, working in alignment with the Head of Design and Head of Sustainable Design to ensure consistency of approach, capability development and continuous improvement across the business.

Responsibilities

Strategic Design Leadership and Management

• Lead and manage the Design management function across the BU, with Design Management Teams and Package Managers reporting directly or indirectly.
• Provide strategic direction, vision, and leadership for design management operations, ensuring alignment with overall BU objectives.
• Develop, mentor, and coach Design Management Teams and Package Managers to enhance their capabilities and effectiveness, in particular identifying technical skills or knowledge gaps and behavioral competencies that can be developed.
• Establish a succession plan within the design management team to ensure continuity and future leadership.

Design Management and Technical Governance, Oversight and Reporting

• Ensure consistent compliance with governance related to design management activities.

• Lead Preconstruction Design reviews into Design Delivery stage, ensuring design governance from concept to implementation across all D&B projects (including contracts with substantial CDP packages).

• Review and scrutinize monthly design reports from each project, summarizing into a concise, actionable BU plan reported at BU board level.
• Identify design performance trends, areas requiring intervention, and opportunities for sharing best practices, including but not limited to technical solutions such as Off-Site Manufacture, as well as system level improvements.
• Present consultant performance updates, insights, and make recommendations to regional or divisional boards and senior stakeholders as required.

Stakeholder Engagement and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as the primary liaison representing the design management function with other internal departments, including Digital Project Delivery, Information Management, and Sustainable Design (ISS) – collaborating on joint initiatives and projects and integrating with the BU operational/commercial representative for these other areas.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration to streamline workflows and integrate design activities with broader organisational initiatives such as Digital Transformation.
• Close involvement with design/project cost controls and risk management, estimating and preconstruction teams, and ensuring design management and design solutions proposed contributes to margin protection and profitability.
• Engage with business unit leaders and key stakeholders to understand evolving needs and ensure design management services meet business expectations.

Strategic Partner and Industry Engagement

• Regular interaction with key clients, partners, or external stakeholders to position the design function as a strategic asset and drive client satisfaction.
• Engagement with external design consultants, subcontractors, and partners to ensure collaborative delivery, adherence to company standards and technical excellence in design.
• Setting performance standards and managing key supplier relationships relevant to design delivery.
• Engagement with industry groups on technical and innovation matters eg. design standards and certification, off-site construction (MMC) and the future of design and digital integration.

Process Improvement and Integration

• Lead initiatives to review, optimize, and streamline design processes and procedures across business units.
• Champion the integration of design systems and workflows with other management systems to enhance efficiency and data consistency.
• Drive continuous improvement by adopting innovative tools, technologies, and methodologies aligned with industry best practices.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting (Monitor, Control, Intervene where necessary)

• Establish KPIs and performance metrics for design teams in collaboration with project teams and the Head of Design and review reports on performance bi-monthly, feeding into an overall design partner engagement plan.
• Carry out monitoring ‘checks and balances’ on design delivery performance, design quality standards, and compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements at a project level, in collaboration with the project design resource and other BU leads (Commercial, Functions and Operations).
• Regularly visit sites to review design progress and status, or integrate as a site team member in particular projects that are deemed to be of a high risk to ascertain the qualitative and quantitative status of design operations, identifying potential improvements.
• Intervene where necessary and provide technical assistance/guidance and leadership to ensure the successful close out of projects requiring escalation.
• Use data-driven and technical level insights to recommend and implement corrective actions (eg. design ‘deep dives’) or process changes as necessary.

Team Development and Resource Planning

• Educate teams on Design responsibility and risk within D&B contracts and Design Risk in CDP in traditional contracts such that it is effectively managed from work winning and tender stage through to completion

• Lead DM collaborative resource planning in the BU. Evaluate and ensure Regional Engineers/Design Managers/MEP Leads and their teams have the appropriate resources, support, and training to fulfil the aspect of their roles that forms part of Design management process (both CSA & MEP) effectively.
• Identify skills gaps and development needs within the design management multi-disciplinary teams, coordinating with operations and HR/ Learning & Development for targeted interventions within a competency framework.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and professional development within the design function in Data Centers

Strategic Planning and Innovation

• Participate in DC business planning, contributing insights on design market trends, client and design team demands, and potential innovation to shape long-term BU growth.

• Educate teams on D&B contracts with respect to Design
• Senior leadership role for provision of design management expertise at tender stage, with design team and in terms of carrying out peer reviews.
• Act as a strategic planning link representing Design Management with other functions in particular commercial DPD, Engineering and ISS and preconstruction.
• Participate in the OSM strategic objectives and delivery in terms of design.

Experience

• Significant experience in managing design across multiple projects or a regional portfolio in construction.
• Strong technical knowledge of design management processes, buildability and regulatory frameworks.

• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and develop staff capability.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.

• Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking and decision-making skills.

• Commercial acumen with the ability to balance programme, cost and design quality considerations.

Qualifications

Qualifications/Training

• Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Management or related discipline.
  • Professional qualification (RIBA, MCIOB, Engineers Ireland or equivalent).
  • Minimum 12 years’ experience in design management within the construction industry preferably with Data Centre experience .
• Postgraduate qualification in Design Management, Project Management or related subject. Experience in MMC integration, sustainability certification and digital engineering.
• Leadership training or professional development in management and strategy.

Additional Information

• Competitive salary
• 26 days annual leave
• Pension and benefits
• Unlimited learning and development opportunities
• Much more

Our People and Recruitment Commitment

At Sisk Group our people are at the heart of our success. We offer the chance to work with purpose, build a career with no limits and be part of a great team.

All vacancies are managed directly by our Internal Recruitment Team. Unsolicited contact or speculative CVs from unapproved agencies will not be accepted and no introductory fees will apply.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or any other protected characteristic. Reasonable adjustments are available during the recruitment process.

We know the confidence gap and imposter phenomenon can stop talented candidates applying. You do not need to meet every criterion – your skills and potential matter. Don’t hold back we want to hear from you.

All recruitment materials comply with legal and regulatory requirements including the EU Pay Transparency Directive and the Equality Acts UK and Ireland

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