Regional Design Manager

Overview

We have an opportunity for a regional Design manager to join our Data Centre team in Netherlands.

The Regional Design Manager provides leadership for all design management activities within a defined business unit or region, ensuring that project teams deliver design solutions that meet client expectations, statutory requirements and the Group’s strategic objectives. The role oversees the regional design function, providing technical guidance and management to Senior Design Managers, Design Managers and Coordinators, while working closely with project directors, bid teams and operations.

A key responsibility is to integrate Group design and sustainability standards into regional delivery, promoting innovation, risk reduction, value creation and collaboration. The Regional Design Manager represents the design function within the region, working in alignment with the Head of Design and Head of Sustainable Design to ensure consistency of approach, capability development and continuous improvement across the business.

Strategic Design Leadership and Management

• Lead and manage the Design management function across the BU, with Design Management Teams and Package Managers reporting directly or indirectly.
• Provide strategic direction, vision, and leadership for design management operations, ensuring alignment with overall BU objectives.
• Develop, mentor, and coach Design Management Teams and Package Managers to enhance their capabilities and effectiveness, in particular identifying technical skills or knowledge gaps and behavioral competencies that can be developed.
• Establish a succession plan within the design management team to ensure continuity and future leadership.

Design Management and Technical Governance, Oversight and Reporting

• Ensure consistent compliance with governance related to design management activities.

• Lead Preconstruction Design reviews into Design Delivery stage, ensuring design governance from concept to implementation across all D&B projects (including contracts with substantial CDP packages).

• Review and scrutinize monthly design reports from each project, summarizing into a concise, actionable BU plan reported at BU board level.
• Identify design performance trends, areas requiring intervention, and opportunities for sharing best practices, including but not limited to technical solutions such as Off-Site Manufacture, as well as system level improvements.
• Present consultant performance updates, insights, and make recommendations to regional or divisional boards and senior stakeholders as required.

Stakeholder Engagement and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as the primary liaison representing the design management function with other internal departments, including Digital Project Delivery, Information Management, and Sustainable Design (ISS) – collaborating on joint initiatives and projects and integrating with the BU operational/commercial representative for these other areas.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration to streamline workflows and integrate design activities with broader organisational initiatives such as Digital Transformation.
• Close involvement with design/project cost controls and risk management, estimating and preconstruction teams, and ensuring design management and design solutions proposed contributes to margin protection and profitability.
• Engage with business unit leaders and key stakeholders to understand evolving needs and ensure design management services meet business expectations.

Strategic Partner and Industry Engagement

• Regular interaction with key clients, partners, or external stakeholders to position the design function as a strategic asset and drive client satisfaction.
• Engagement with external design consultants, subcontractors, and partners to ensure collaborative delivery, adherence to company standards and technical excellence in design.
• Setting performance standards and managing key supplier relationships relevant to design delivery.
• Engagement with industry groups on technical and innovation matters eg. design standards and certification, off-site construction (MMC) and the future of design and digital integration.

Proce…