Design Manager, Preconstruction, Europe

As Design Manager you will manage and successfully deliver the design on time with due consideration to safety in design (CDM) and sustainability requirements in line with Global Switch’s policies, systems and procedures. The Design Manager is responsible for delivering the design to budget, maintaining strict change control protocols and understanding design contingency at all stages of the design. Working with the other members of the technical team the Design Manager is responsible for finding opportunities through value engineering, procurement and buildability to deliver and where appropriate enhance the profitability of the design.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for preparing and maintaining all design-related documentation, including bid submissions, compliance checks, and statutory approvals.
• Chairing design meetings and workshops, ensuring stakeholder alignment and clear documentation of responsibilities.
• Managing and documenting changes to the design in line with strict change control protocols.
• Ensuring all designs comply with statutory requirements (Building Control, Planning, BREEAM, CDM Regulations 2015).
• Reviewing consultant and subcontractor design information, resolving RFIs, and ensuring all deliverables meet Global Switch standards and client requirements.
• Utilising digital dashboards to monitor progress, quality, and coordination of the design process.
• Interpreting dashboard data to take corrective action and support the Technical Lead in client reporting.
• Identifying and escalating risks or interface issues that may impact the design programme, quality, or cost.

About you

You’re an organised, detail‑driven design professional with a strong understanding of construction design processes, safety in design, and regulatory compliance. You excel at coordinating multidisciplinary teams, managing complex design workflows, and maintaining strict change‑control protocols to protect quality, cost, and programme outcomes. With a blend of technical knowledge and practical delivery experience, you navigate statutory requirements confidently, resolve design issues efficiently, and use data‑driven insights to keep projects on track. Collaborative, proactive, and commercially aware, you’re committed to producing high‑quality designs that meet client needs, support buildability, and enhance project profitability.

Key Requirements

• Working closely with the Head of Design, Technical Lead, consultants, subcontractors, and the Client Monitoring Team to ensure seamless integration of design activities.
• Assisting in establishing Employer’s Requirements and Contractor’s Proposals, ensuring alignment and compliance with tender proposals.
• Supporting the transition from tender to project award, refining procurement strategies, and managing the delivery of consultant and subcontractor design.
• Oversee all design activities for that section, including sub-contractor coordination and design integration.
• Keeping the design programme on track by identifying and escalating issues that could impact timelines or quality.
• Monitoring progress using digital dashboards, identifying tasks that fall behind, and taking corrective action to keep the design programme on track.

About Global Switch

You might not know it, but you use a data centre like Global Switch every day. Whether you’re browsing the web, streaming, playing a game, or simply making a purchase, you are relying on data centres around the world. Global Switch is a trusted name in the industry, with over 20 years of experience and a commitment to long-term partnerships and sustainability. We value excellence and teamwork, and we always strive to deliver the best customer service and satisfaction. We are a team of skilled and passionate professionals, proud of who we are and what we do. Joining us means becoming part of a team that values learning and growth.

As an equal-opportunity employer, Global Switch is committed to providing a working culture that values diversity and inclusion and is committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a barrier-free recruitment process and working environment.