Design Manager- 12 months FTC

Department: Project Management

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Italy

Compensation: €50,000 - €70,000 / year

Why RLB?

At RLB, we live by four simple ideas: Truth, Trust, Together, Tomorrow. Four values that live at the heart of RLB. A place where People Make Progress.

We value your skills, talents and unique perspectives – we think they are priceless.

Bring them to RLB and you’ll be empowered to shape our future and your career in new and meaningful ways.

We’ll give you opportunities to work on some of the most ambitious and exciting projects currently being designed and developed in the built environment sector.

You’ll continue to learn and advance as everyone who works for us is provided with a tailored training programme. Our mentoring and reverse mentoring schemes will enable you to share your expertise while gaining fresh insights.

What makes RLB unique is our inclusive culture. As an independent, employee‑owned business, teamwork and collaboration lies at the heart of everything we do. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements and family‑friendly policies are just some of the ways we invest in employee wellbeing.

Join us and you will thrive personally as well as professionally.

Role Overview

The Design Manager will lead the coordination and delivery of multi‑disciplinary design activities for Data Centre projects across Europe. This role ensures that all design outputs meet client requirements, technical standards, programme milestones and regulatory obligations. You will act as a key interface between client stakeholders, designers, contractors and internal RLB teams across the full design lifecycle (from concept to commissioning).

Design Leadership & Coordination

• Manage and coordinate design development across all disciplines (Architectural, Structural, CSA, MEP, Fire, Security, ICT).
• Lead design workshops, technical reviews and cross‑discipline coordination meetings.
• Ensure design deliverables are aligned with Data Centre standards including Uptime Institute, ASHRAE, NFPA, EN standards and client‑specific requirements.
• Drive consistency and accuracy across drawings, specifications, schedules and BIM models.

Programme, Quality & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain design programmes, tracking deliverables and identifying risks early.
• Ensure design outputs support buildability, commissioning, phasing, and critical programme milestones.
• Oversee change control, design risk registers and decision logs.
• Lead value‑engineering exercises while protecting safety, quality and operational resilience.

Stakeholder & Client Interface

• Act as primary point of contact for design queries across client, contractor and consultant teams.
• Support client governance processes, presenting design updates, risk summaries and technical recommendations.
• Facilitate alignment between global Data Centre standards and local regulatory requirements (planning, building control, fire certification, etc.).

Technical & Compliance Oversight

Ensure compliance with:

• Local building regulations (UK, EU member states).
• Mission‑critical facility standards (cooling, UPS, generators, electrical redundancy, containment).
• Safety-in-design principles and CDM responsibilities.
• Review technical submittals, vendor designs, equipment selections and interface matrices.
• Information Management & Documentation
• Manage document control processes, design trackers and approved-for-construction packages.
• Ensure integration of BIM workflows and correct data exchange protocols.
• Maintain clear and accurate project records for audit, commissioning and handover.

Experience

• Proven experience as a Design Manager or Senior Design Coordinator in Data Centre, mission‑critical, pharmaceutical, advanced manufacturing or other highly technical sectors.
• Strong MEP understanding, particularly HV/LV distribution, cooling technologies, redundancy strategies and containment systems.
• Experience working across multiple RIBA stages (or European equivalents such as HOAI or SIA).
• Ability to interpret complex technical documents and coordinate large multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Demonstrable experience managing design on fast‑track or hyper‑scale Data Centre projects.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

Desirable

• Professional membership (RIBA, CEng, MCIBSE, MICE, CIOB) or working towards chartership.
• Experience working across different Eur