Associate - Design Manager Data Centre - Dubai

Job Description

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

Qualifications

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 in Mechanical, Electrical, or Building Services (or equivalent)

• PMP (Project Management Professional) or equivalent certification (strongly preferred)

• Hands-on experience in hyperscale or mission-critical data centre projects

• Familiarity with Uptime Institute certification processes (ATD, ATS, CAP, ICCA)

• Experience with global project delivery across multiple geographies/time zones

• Knowledge of UAE regulatory landscape and authority approval processes (DEWA, ADDC, Civil Defence)

• Experience with BIM workflows and coordination (Revit, Navisworks, or equivalent)

Good to Have

• Experience with integrated project delivery (IPD) or collaborative design methodologies

Additional Information

What we can offer you

• Investment in your development
• Leaders you can count on, guided by our Leadership Principles
• Be valued for the unique person you are.
• Never be short of inspiration from colleagues, clients, and projects.
• The long-term thinking of a foundation-owned company

We offer:

• A challenging and interesting workday characterized by continuous learning, in an environment where you have many to spar with and learn from.
• Opportunity to work with varied work tasks, across the organization.
• Opportunity to develop and influence your own area of responsibility.

Work at the heart of sustainable change

Ramboll is a global architecture, engineering, and consultancy company. We believe that the purpose of sustainable change is to create a thriving world for both nature and people. So, that’s where we start – and how we work. At Ramboll, our core strength is our people, and our history is rooted in a clear vision of how a responsible company should act. Being open and curious is a cornerstone of our culture. We embrace an inclusive mindset that looks for fresh, diverse, and innovative perspectives. We respect, embrace, and invite diversity in all forms to actively cultivate an environment where everyone can flourish and realize their full potential.

Ready to join us?

Are you our new Lead Piping Engineer? If yes, click the apply button and send your application as soon as possible.

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Thank you for taking the time to apply! We look forward to receiving your application.