Architectural Design Manager

Architectural Design Manager
- Data Centres Location
- United Kingdom Role Summary

STACK Infrastructure is looking for an experienced Architectural Subject Matter Expert (SME) to provide client-side architectural expertise across the development, design and delivery of hyperscale Data Centre projects throughout Europe.

This is an opportunity to play an influential role across the full project lifecycle - from site due diligence and early concept development through detailed design, construction and handover.

You’ll act as a trusted architectural authority within STACK, representing our interests and working closely with external architects, consultants, contractors and specialist designers. Rather than being a production design role, your focus will be on reviewing, challenging and assuring designs to ensure they meet our technical standards, customer requirements, regulatory obligations and operational needs.

Working across multiple European projects and jurisdictions, you’ll combine strong architectural expertise with a practical understanding of how architecture integrates with the engineering, operational and commercial requirements of large-scale Data Centres.

• Act as STACK’s Architectural Subject Matter Expert across Data Centre development and construction projects.
• Review and challenge architectural designs, drawings, specifications and technical submissions produced by consultants, contractors and specialist designers.
• Provide architectural input throughout the project lifecycle, from site selection and technical due diligence through design, construction and handover.
• Identify architectural, buildability, coordination and regulatory risks early and help project teams develop practical solutions.
• Review site layouts, building configuration, massing, circulation, access, logistics and operational functionality.
• Ensure architectural designs integrate effectively with structural, civil, mechanical, electrical, security and fire/life-safety requirements.
• Review detailed design packages, including building envelope, materials, internal layouts, fire compartmentation and interfaces with critical engineering systems.
• Support design reviews and stage-gate approvals, including the review of deviations from STACK standards and project requirements.
• Provide architectural support during construction, including technical queries, design changes, substitutions, site inspections and resolution of coordination issues.
• Support project completion, snagging, handover and review of as-built information.
• Work with local architects and specialist advisers to navigate planning, permitting, building regulations and statutory requirements across different European jurisdictions.
• Engage confidently with internal stakeholders, customers, consultants and contractors to resolve technical issues and support effective decision-making.
• Contribute to the development of STACK architectural standards, specifications, Employer’s Requirements, standard details and reference designs.
• Capture lessons learned from live projects and help apply them across our wider European portfolio.

• A degree or equivalent professional qualification in Architecture or a closely related discipline.
• At least 5 years’ experience specifically within Data Centre design, development and/or construction.
• Experience working on hyperscale or large-scale mission-critical Data Centre projects.
• Strong experience reviewing and challenging designs produced by third-party architects, engineering consultants and contractors.
• Good understanding of the complete design and construction lifecycle, from early feasibility through detailed design, construction and handover.
• Experience working across RIBA stages or equivalent international…