Principal Design Manager

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage is committed to being a workplace of inclusion, equity, respect and acceptance. We celebrate diversity and intentionally seek out opportunities to learn from one another’s experience.

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

About Vantage Data Centers

Vantage Data Centers designs, builds and operates resilient, sustainable digital infrastructure for the world’s leading technology companies with a relentless focus on our customers’ experience. Our vision is to be the leading hyperscale data centre provider globally, making a positive and sustainable impact in the communities in which we operate. Our core values are Trust, Accountability, Respect and Agility.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Principal Design Manager for the South Africa market to strategically lead and enhance design management efforts in the construction and development delivery process. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in data centres Design Management, with a proven track record of managing complex projects from concept to completion.

As an integral part of the EMEA Development Group this includes working with the Development team on early-stage development projects, tendering to, appointing, and managing third party design consultants, coordinating with the Construction Delivery team, and providing design support to all internal stakeholders.

This role requires a strategic thinker with a holistic ownership of the design life cycle who can drive design innovation, managing engineering teams, overseeing procurement processes and compliance, lead continuous improvement to enable the delivery of cost-effective and high-quality infrastructure to support our hyperscale end user clients.

Key Responsibilities

· Strategic Design Leadership: Spearhead the development, review, maintenance, and enhancement of design packages, standards, and specifications, ensuring they align with strategic objectives and foster innovation. 

· Client Relationship Management: As a support function to the sales team, cultivate robust client relationships through leadership in technical meetings, providing comprehensive updates on design progress, risks, blockers, changes, and priorities to the Vantage Regional Development Director and Leadership Team. 

· Strategic Procurement and Vendor Management: Provide strategic oversight to procurement and regional project leads, leading the selection of local partners for design development, contract oversight, and Value Engineering (VE) implementation in

alignment with organizational goals. Agree and manage the 3rd party consultants Scope of work (SOW)

· Continuous Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement in design, procurement, and construction processes to optimize Operations delivery. Lead change management initiatives with consultants and contractors to enhance overall efficiency.

· Quality Assurance and Risk Management: Proactively anticipate, report, and mitigate design and engineering quality, risks, and opportunities through regular on-site inspections. Ensure OFCI design alignment with executed design within the region

· Team Development: Conduct regular meetings with design teams, provide feedback, and foster a culture of continuous improvement through Lessons Learned meetings.

· Technical Interface: Utilize advanced technical expertise to interface with the end user/ customer, ensuring strict compliance with project requirements, codes, and specifications.

· Design Brief: Take full ownership of design briefs, including design baselines, outlining clear and site-specific design inputs, constraints, assumptions, and requirements, aligned with customer and regional needs

· Cost Management: Actively provide insight into 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: Proactively manage all design changes proposed by internal departments and third parties, ensuring seamless integration.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

· Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a related field.

· 12+ years’ experience in design and engineering management (with a minimum of 5 years in the data centre sector), including at least 3 years in a leadership role.

· Deep understanding of technical data centre infrastructure design and construction techniques, operational requirements and challenges, equipment and technology advances and general industry trends.

· Experience managing all key design disciplines in multiple South African markets, with an eye on ensuring all local and regional development requirements are identified and tracked throughout projects

· Strong leadership and team management skills.

· Exceptional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

· Cross-discipline technical expertise of critical security, cooling and power systems within data center projects.

· In-depth knowledge of building codes, regulations, and industry standards.

· Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.

· Creative problem-solving skills and a keen eye for detail

· Willingness to travel (typically twice a month, for up to 3 days at a time).

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 Employer

Vantage 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.