Design Manager

Black & White Engineering (B&W) is a leading MEP design consultancy. Launched in the UAE in 2007, we became an independent company in 2014 and are now a true global consultancy with offices in Europe, Middle East, Asia, and Australia.

Our engineering expertise reaches across all sectors of the construction industry, providing pragmatic and practical design solutions to ensure our projects are spatially and operationally efficient. Our design process fully considers the installation and maintenance practicalities on site.

As a business, our ambition is to be a leading global MEP consultancy and as a purposeful employer, our Lead Design Consulting (LDC) Team is critical to our overall success.

Reporting to Regional Lead Design Manager, the purpose of this role is to work in collaboration with and drive the Technical experts and design partners to deliver top quality designs to our Clients that is second to none.

The ideal candidate will have experience in design management of multidisciplinary Data Centre projects and will be responsible for the overall management administration of our LDC projects.

Critical long-term priorities of the team.

We have ambitious growth plans so key priorities will include:

• This role is key in the overall team goal to evolve Black & White Engineering from a MEP specialist into a true Lead Design Consultant, recognised by our Clients as the best in the Data Centre Market
• Grow our relationships and revenue with chosen hyperscale, colocation, and contractor clients – through diligent design management, putting the Client first
• Drive and support our engineering colleagues and design partners to play to their strengths and deliver the highest quality designs

This is a client facing, hands-on role, where you will be required to work closely with our technical colleagues, subconsultants and Global Design Hub engineering teams to deliver superior quality designs to our Data Centre Clients on time and to budget.

You will be supported in your career progression and aspirations. You will be mentored and provided with on-the-job training by your Regional Lead Design Manager, to achieve the Roles, Responsibilities and Requirements outlined below.

• Set and manage the deliverables and project milestones.
• Accountable, diligent and reliable point of contact for our Clients.
• Understanding of our Clients’ needs and business drivers as well as processes and tools.
• Effectively manage design partners & ability to work efficiently and remotely with our Global Design Hub and virtual design teams working across multiple time zones.
• Track project progress and review status advised by project personnel and external parties and modify schedules or plans as required. Prepare project reports for management, Clients or others.
• Maintain clear and accurate records and reports
• Capture a project brief and distil into design.
• Lead the delivery of projects in accordance with the expectations of the project delivery process from a project management, financial management, QA/QC and technical review perspective.
• Identify and address performance issues before the Client raises them.
• Identify and mitigate forecast fee challenges.
• Day to day decision making on project progress and direct liaison with and provides advice to Clients.
• Have a good overview understanding of BIM processes and management.
• Drive the team, dealing with difficult issues as they arise in a fair and reasonable manner.
• Chair and facilitate design team meetings.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, or equivalent with professional license.
• 6-10 years working experience in design, engineering, or construction background, with at least 3 years of experience in project management/ handling projects.
• Professional membership (APM, PMP, IPMA, etc.) *
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams with the successful delivery of the design for projects.
• Mission Critical or specific Data Centre experience or complex engineering led assets. *
• Peripheral experience in particularly architecture, structures, civils, security and permitting.
• Familiarity with BIM and understanding of managing information attributes.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the End-to-End design process.
• Possess exceptional clear communication skills and command of spoken/written English.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).
• Proficient in use of Microsoft Project or other programme software. *
• Commercial and financial awareness and management of projects and fees.
• Demonstrable skills in maintaining and developing both internal and external relationships are required.
• Keep clear, concise, and accurate records and reports.
• Ability to work autonomously, as part of a wider team, and leading a team.
• Sound knowledge & working application of key Health and Safety issues and legislation.
• Understand and maintain the long-term goals of the business.
• Understand, maintain and follow the company QA and QC procedures.
• Maintain an appropriate knowledge of industry initiatives.
• Have an appreciation of different cultures/races and embrace the same.
• Embrace an intensively collaborative design environment working for and reporting daily to an expert client.
• Enthusiastic, driven, and dynamic self-starter with career progression aspirations.

* desired

• Accountability: Everyone is accountable.
• Integrity: We are straight-talking, respectful, and fair.
• Simplicity: Both in our approach and solutions.
• Supportive: We are approachable, inclusive, and we recognise success.
• Quality: We strive to get it right first time, every time.

• Client first
• One Global Team
• Employer of Choice
• Growth
• Innovation