Director of Project Design

Role Overview

NGEN’s Data Center Development group is hiring a Director of Project Design to own the organization’s design management function. This is a senior, outward-facing leadership role at the intersection of project management, design leadership, and client delivery—covering everything that happens before dirt moves.

Responsibilities

• Own the full design management lifecycle from early site assessment and basis of design through:
  • Schematic Design
  • Design Development
  • Construction Documents (permit-ready and IFC-ready)
• Engage, manage, and direct third-party consultants (civil, structural, and MEP) to deliver on scope, schedule, and quality
• Serve as the primary design liaison with clients by translating requirements into clear consultant direction and keeping stakeholders informed
• Collaborate with the Head of Data Center Development on project strategy and the design vision
• Coordinate across internal teams (mechanical, electrical, and procurement) to ensure design alignment at every stage
• Manage concurrent design workstreams across 2–5 projects of varying scale
• Lead the design-to-construction handoff, ensuring a clean transition to the Director of Construction
• Build and eventually lead a small supporting team as project volume grows

Requirements

• Proven experience in design management or senior project management for complex, multi-discipline development projects
• Background in architecture or civil/structural engineering (or closely related); ideally exposed to CSA (civil, structural, architectural) scope
• Strong understanding of the end-to-end design process through IFC (Issued for Construction) documentation
• Experience managing third-party consultants; ability to hold them to schedule and quality
• Client-facing leadership confidence; comfortable leading design conversations with owners/developers/technical stakeholders
• Experience leading via direct reports or cross-functional leadership

Nice to Have

• Data center / mission-critical / technically complex campus experience
• High-level familiarity with MEP systems
• PMP (or equivalent) credential

Employment & Location

• Permanent, full-time
• Remote, must live in the contiguous U.S. or Canada
• Closing date: Open until filled