Design Manager, EMEA

Description

Vantage is seeking an accomplished Design Manager for Switzerland to join our design team, leading the design and engineering efforts for the largest cost center in the construction and development delivery process.
In this role, you will champion product performance and technical excellence, managing multifunctional teams of skilled engineers focused on critical data center infrastructure systems.
You will take ownership of the entire design life cycle for both existing and new developments in your region.
Your responsibilities will encompass the coordination of design documentation review and approval, oversight of design-build contractor design teams, and technical evaluation of proposals for Owner Furnished Contractor Installed (OFCI) and General Contractor (GC) components during procurement.
Serving as the point of contact for department leaders involved in the project cycle, you will facilitate seamless collaboration between Sales and Solutions Engineering, EH&S, New Site Development, M&E, BIM, CSA, Sustainability, Development Delivery, Customer Construction, Automation & Controls, Security, IT, and Operations. Collaboration and coordination with other regional managers and directors, as well as the Innovation Engineering team, Policy, Compliance, and Customer Experience will ensure uniformity in product delivery.
You will work in close relationship with Design Services to provide recurrent reporting on performance of your region, improve design processes, define design strategies and align and coordinate lessons learned.
In collaboration with your team, you'll tackle intricate engineering challenges and guide their resolution. Upholding and enhancing existing standards for each project, you'll conduct engineering analyses to balance capital and operational expenditures.
Your role will encompass interfacing with clients throughout the design and construction phases, assuming responsibility for the technical client relationship.
You will provide comprehensive technical engineering guidance to ensure alignment with project requirements, engineering standards, codes, and specifications, demonstrating an in-depth grasp of engineering principles relevant to state-of-the art data center design.

Key Responsibilities

Design Leadership : Lead the development, review, maintenance, and enhancement of design packages, standards, and specifications to ensure consistent, reliable systems. Project Oversight : Attend assigned sites regularly and frequently. Manage external design teams ensuring their collaboration aligns with design and sustainability goals. This includes actively managing design-related RFIs, design deviations, and change requests on-site and driving timely responses from internal and external SMEs. Client Interaction and Reporting : Foster strong client relationships by leading technical meetings and offering support to Sales and Solutions Engineering, Customer experience, Development Delivery, and Operations. Provide regular, detailed updates on design progress, risks, blockers, changes, and priorities to Vantage Regional Project Lead and, if and when necessary, to Vantage Leadership Team. Procurement and Vendor Management : Support procurement and regional project lead and oversee the selection of local partners for design development, contract oversight, and Value Engineering (VE) implementation with the General Contractor (GC) and Engineer of Record (EOR). In addition, be the single point of contact (SPOC) for Owner Furnished & Contractor Installed (OFCI) equipment technical submittals, performance specs, and detailed design in cooperation with the Procurement team. Process Improvement : Develop and enhance design, procurement, and construction processes to streamline Operations delivery, including change management with consultants and contractors. Quality Assurance and Risk Management: Anticipate, report, and mitigate design and engineering quality, risks, and opportunities through regular inspections on site in coordination with the development leader. Ensure alignment of OFCI design with executed design within the region. Team Development : Conduct regular meetings with design teams to provide feedback and address concerns. Foster a culture of continuous improvement by conducting Lessons Learned meetings and implementing insights across projects and regions. Technical Interface : Utilize your technical expertise to interface with the final customer, ensuring compliance with project requirements, codes, and specifications. Design Baselines : Own, drive, and conclude early design baselines and OPR deviation logs aligned with customer requirements in the region, collaborating closely with the regional development team and Sales and Solution Engineering to ensure lease agreement compliance. Actively provide insight to and highlight potential cost implications arising from project and design based development.Benchmarking and Quality: Drive benchmarking initiatives for internal regional alignment and ensure the highest design and construction quality standards. Coordination and Integration : Be a proactive custodian and conduit for all design changes proposed by other VDC departments and third parties, ensuring decisive adjudication and, where appropriate, seamless integration. Change Management and Process Support : lead in supporting and coordinating the Change Management/REACH process on-site, ensuring its effective implementation for all engineering functions and disciplines including but not limited to CSA, M&E, BMS, security, ICT, and Data Module fit out. Provide comprehensive reporting to development delivery leadership, highlighting the performance and impact of implemented changes

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

Bachelor's degree in construction management, building services engineering, or a related technical field from an accredited institution preferred. Alternative, relevant education or experience such as military service or exceptional experience/training may be considered. 3+ years of experience in data center design management or equivalent leadership roles; 5+ years preferred. Proficiency in data center design and familiarity with Swiss construction markets. Strong knowledge of critical cooling and power infrastructure within data center projects. Familiarity with building codes and fire ordinances. Fluent German and English. Willingness to travel (10 – 20% expected).

As the Design Manager, you will be instrumental in advancing the design and engineering excellence of Vantage's data center projects, contributing to the growth and success of our organization. Your technical acumen, leadership skills, and dedication to innovation will shape the future of data center development in the region.

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other's strengths and respecting each other's weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.
Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity EmployerVantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.

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