Design Manager - Data Centers - Dubai

The Design Manager / Project Manager will own end-to-end project delivery for large, multidisciplinary data centre and mission-critical facility projects, responsible for scope definition, schedule management, integrated design quality, client engagement, and commercial success.  This role goes beyond design coordination and requires complete lifecycle ownership from concept development and team assembly through detailed design delivery, construction support, commissioning coordination, and project close-out. You will lead all technical disciplines, manage resource planning and allocation, track financial performance and profitability, and serve as the primary client interface ensuring expectations are met and relationships are strengthened.    Client Engagement   Act as the primary project interface with clients and senior stakeholders, leading project design review meetings, and executive steering committee sessions  Continuously engage clients on deliverables, priorities, risks, and schedule/budget performance, proactively surfacing issues and managing expectations  Resolve scope ambiguities, change requests, and conflicts between client needs and project constraints  Build and maintain strong client relationships through clear communication, demonstrated progress, and reliable delivery    Design Management & LDC  Initiate and setup the project, the tools, the schedule, introduce the teams, create the workstreams, draft and monitor the WBS  Lead and oversee all technical disciplines – Mechanical (HVAC, cooling, fire protection), Electrical (MV/LV systems, UPS, generators), ELV/IBMS (controls, security, monitoring), Architecture (planning, compliance), Structural (foundations, loads), and Civil (site development, utilities)  Manage and coordinate third-party consultants and stakeholders in the project. Establish communication processes and ensure the highest level of quality and coordination between disciplines  Establish and maintain a structured coordination process  Identify and resolve complex cross-discipline conflicts at early design stage (concept/schematic) before they become costly rework  Ensure all discipline outputs (SLDs, P&IDs, layouts, specifications) are coordinated, integrated, and constructible before client submission  Review design for buildability and operability  Identify and assess technical, schedule, budget, and commercial risks at project inception and continuously throughout delivery  Develop mitigation strategies for identified risks and track mitigation status  Manage change requests and scope variations using formal change control process and quantify impact  Communicate schedule status and risks to client   Develop and maintain the master project schedule incorporating all disciplines, design stages, client reviews, and permitting milestones  Track schedule performance, identify delays early and implement corrective actions    Technical Oversight & Design Quality  Review key design deliverables across all disciplines to ensure compliance with TIA-942, Uptime Tier standards, ASHRAE, NFPA/NBC fire codes, and local UAE regulations  Guide multidisciplinary teams in solving complex technical challenges and ensuring design solutions are optimal, integrated, and aligned with project objectives  Manage BIM coordination workflow  Ensure quality standards are maintained across all project stages  Support to Project Manager  Provide information to the project manager regarding monthly reporting on project budget vs actual, timesheets, and utilization  Provide the input and produce the monthly EVM reports  Monitor resource utilization efficiency  Provide all related input for the monthly P&L reports  Team Leadership & Capability Building  Lead and motivate the multidisciplinary project team   Create a collaborative team culture   Exceptional verbal and written communication in English  Ability to communicate with C-suite clients, internal senior leadership, and multidisciplinary teams  Accountability and decision-making skills  Client-facing skills and managing senior stakeholder relationships  Proven ability to mentor engineers and develop high-performing teams  Technical Expertise  Strong working knowledge across multiple disciplines: HVAC & mechanical systems, electrical power systems, ELV/IBMS, architecture, and structural design  Understanding of data center design processes  Extended knowledge of current data center requirements, AI infrastructure, construction methods, etc  Ability to review and understand design outputs: Single Line Diagrams (SLDs), P&ID drawings, system layouts, BIM models, equipment schedules, and technical specifications  Understanding of how design decisions cascade across disciplines  Familiarity with data centre standards and requirements: TIA-942, Uptime Institute Tier III/IV, ASHRAE 90.4, fire codes, and UAE regulatory landscape    Project & Delivery Management  8+ years of project management or design management experience, with at least 5 years managing data centre or mission-critical facility projects  Proven track record of delivering large, multidisciplinary projects on schedule and within budget  Experience managing teams of engineers across multiple disciplines and geographies  Demonstrated ability to identify schedule/budget risks early and implement corrective actions    Qualifications & Experience  BE