Senior Design Manager – Data Centres

Sines, Portugal

Role Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Senior Design Manager to oversee all design aspects of a high-profile data centre project in Sines, Portugal. This individual will lead the coordination and management of all design activities from pre-construction through to completion, ensuring technical excellence, cost-efficiency, and alignment with client requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the overall design process, working with internal teams and external consultants across architectural, civil, structural, and MEP disciplines.

• Interface with the client’s design representatives, consultants, and stakeholders to ensure the design meets their performance, functional and aesthetic expectations.

• Develop, manage, and monitor the design programme in line with project delivery milestones.

• Review and approve design deliverables, ensuring compliance with statutory regulations, local planning laws, and project-specific technical standards.

• Manage change control for design elements, ensuring all variations are captured, assessed for impact, and agreed.

• Work closely with Pre-Construction, Planning, and Construction teams to ensure design information supports timely procurement and delivery.

• Attend and chair regular design team and coordination meetings (remote and on-site).

• Promote value engineering and innovative solutions that improve cost, time, or performance without compromising on quality.

• Ensure BIM and digital design standards are adhered to in collaboration with BIM coordinators.

• Oversee coordination with supply chain partners and subcontractors on design integration.

• Provide design risk assessments and lead design-related quality assurance.

Key Requirements:

• Degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management (or related discipline).

• Minimum 8–10 years’ experience in a design management role, ideally within the data centre, pharmaceutical, or advanced manufacturing sectors.

• Strong understanding of MEP and CSA (civil, structural, architectural) design interfaces.

• Experience delivering large-scale industrial or mission-critical projects in a fast-track environment.

• Knowledge of Portuguese planning, building regulations, and permitting process is a plus.

• Strong commercial awareness and ability to assess design impact on cost and programme.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and coordination skills.

• Fluent in English; Portuguese language skills desirable but not essential.

• Eligible to work in Portugal