At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design for AI-focused data centres and collaborate with diverse teams.
- Company: Join Kao Data, a pioneer in sustainable and scalable data centre solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a forward-thinking team driving excellence in advanced computing.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology in a dynamic and innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in design management and strong technical knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 50000 £ per year.
Overview Join Kao Data as a Senior Design Manager and drive excellence in AI‑focused data centres.
Kao Data pioneers the development and operation of data centres engineered for AI and advanced computing, delivering secure, scalable, and sustainable homes for compute.
About the Role The Design Manager is part of the in‑house design management team, responsible for assisting all elements of the business with technical, design and engineering support, and leading the design and development of new technology suites, data‑centre buildings and campuses.
Key Responsibilities Get involved in the early stages of site selection and early RIBA stage development for larger scale builds to ensure base design requirements are correct before moving on to detailed design.
Develop a design strategy to deliver a positive outcome.
Determine and understand the design requirements, programme and budget.
Develop the design/engineering brief, employers’ requirements or scope of works in sufficient detail to brief the internal business, the project design team and/or the contractor.
Rely on external consultants and contractors to undertake the detailed design.
Manage the design team to deliver an accurate and detailed design package, reviewing design information, challenging the team on options and ensuring they understand Kao Data’s requirements.
Provide expert technical advice (around core discipline) to others in the design management team.
Work with the operations team to understand their requirements, ensure engagement in projects, and support lifecycle projects, problems and incidents.
Collaborate with, and manage the output of, consultant design teams, empowering them, challenging them, and ensuring the Bo D guidelaws are understood and followed, tracking deviations where necessary.
Manage all elements of design – MEP, structural, controls (EPMS), fire, security and other specialists.
Gain sufficient understanding of non‑core disciplines to ask the right questions and challenge design and construction teams.
Minimise, monitor and review design change.
Understand customer requirements including specific contract requirements.
Work with colleagues, consultants, vendors etc to gain technical support on key issues where required.
Track design progress, prioritise and manage design workstreams, ensuring the design team has all the information needed to deliver a working design.
Work closely with internal and external project managers and commercial teams to support delivery, helping ensure projects are on budget and on time.
Review and provide technical feedback on consultant fee proposals, contractor tenders, variations etc.
Speak regularly with product vendors to understand how their technologies work and any incoming innovations, sharing insights with the design management team.
Provide technical support to all parts of the business – sales, operations, customer team, site development, health
Senior Design Manager employer: KD Servco Limited
Kao Data is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets sustainability in the AI-focused data centre sector. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and collaboration, team members are empowered to lead cutting-edge design projects while benefiting from a culture that values technical expertise and creative problem-solving. Located in a vibrant area, Kao Data provides unique opportunities for professional development and engagement with the latest advancements in technology.
