Design Manager

About Core Site:
At Core Site, we empower a more connected future through high‑performance data centers and interconnection solutions. Recognized as a trusted partner in digital transformation, our strategically located facilities and innovative services enable businesses to connect, collaborate, and grow in an ever‑evolving technological landscape.

As a member of the Corporate Development team, the Design Manager manages the design process for capital expenditure projects across Core Site's existing facilities nationwide. This role sits alongside two regionally focused Development & Design Managers responsible for ground‑up development and large‑scale interior buildouts, and is specifically focused on the interior retrofit and improvement work that spans the full U.S. portfolio.

Projects are interior‑scope, executed within operating data centers, and require someone who thrives in the complexity of occupied, live‑infrastructure environments where precision, coordination, and minimizing customer disruption are as important as design quality. The role also provides periodic support to the acquisitions team on pre‑purchase due diligence as business needs arise.

• Retrofits and infrastructure upgrades within operating data center facilities, including mechanical, electrical, and architectural improvements.
• Legacy building repositions, including the redesign of underutilized or aging infrastructure to meet current product standards.
• Planned phased interior buildouts supporting customer occupancy, deployment readiness, and capacity expansion within existing shells.
• Large‑scale retrofits supporting specific occupancy and deployment requirements.
• Periodic pre‑purchase due diligence support for the acquisitions team, including design and engineering reviews, test fits, and building assessment coordination.

• Assist with maintaining Core Site’s OPR to reflect lessons learned, market trends, and technological advancements, with particular emphasis on retrofit and in‑place project contexts.
• Capture lessons learned from each project and refine processes and documentation accordingly.
• Help develop or refine processes related to design documentation, review cycles, and drawing management.

• Prepare for and support project kickoff meetings with internal stakeholders to define project needs, constraints, and goals within operating‑facility environments.
• Draft budgets and schedules for design and permitting activities; track against actuals and report variances.
• Facilitate initial and regularly occurring design meetings; review meeting notes and minutes for accuracy and clear assignment of action items.
• Ensure all owner‑furnished equipment is accurately specified and fully integrated into design deliverables.
• Ensure all scopes are clearly identified, delineated, and coordinated across design disciplines.
• Ensure design consultants comply with OPR and that designs account for the operational realities of occupied facilities.
• Ensure permit packages are comprehensive to minimize review cycles and responses to building departments.
• Ensure bid set packages are comprehensive to minimize change orders during construction.
• Coordinate multi‑phase design reviews to ensure timely stakeholder input and approvals.
• Manage and work with design partners (architects, engineers, specialty consultants) to develop design documentation across all project phases.
• Assist with procuring design and permitting‑phase services; manage vendors within contract scope and timelines.
• Foster working relationships with design partners; monitor workload and work quality.
• Coordinate with the Vice President and external consultants to process and communicate scope‑of‑service change requests.

• Manage the building permit process from design submission through final permit issuance for retrofit, remodel, and interior buildout project types.
• Research, interpret, and apply jurisdictional building codes, permitting requirements, and plan review procedures across multiple jurisdictions nationwide.
• Coordinate directly with local authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ), third‑party permit expeditors,…