IKG Talent has been engaged by a leading Tier 1 construction and property group to appoint a Design Manager – Data Centres. This is a senior role taking ownership of design management for a major hyperscale campus in Melbourne close to 1GW in capacity. The business is in a strong position on its current facility and is now focused on locking in a Design Lead to drive the upcoming build, which includes a significant base build and data hall fit-out scope. Why consider this role? Lead the design on one of the largest data centre builds in the Melbourne market, with a substantial base build program and complex MEP services. Step in early and shape the design strategy, using lessons learned from the live project and applying them to the next phase. Work for a contractor that genuinely supports flexibility: standard 5‑day work week, RDOs when weekends are needed Join at a time when there is a clear pipeline of projects, giving long-term project continuity in one precinct. What you'll be doing Own the end-to-end design management for the next Melbourne data centre, from early planning through to construction and commissioning. Act as the key interface between the contractor, client and consultant teams – you are not drawing, but you are driving the program and managing the consultants doing the detailed design. Lead multidisciplinary design workshops, push coordination across MEP, structure and architecture, and ensure buildability is front-of-mind given the program pressures typical of data centres. Apply lessons learned from the live facility to improve outcomes on the next stage – particularly around services coordination, long‑lead equipment, and commissioning readiness. The profile that fits well Previous experience as a Design Manager on data centres or other mission‑critical / services-heavy infrastructure (hospitals, labs, large commercial with complex MEP). Strong technical grounding in building services and design management – someone who understands how a data centre runs, not just the paperwork side. Deep services knowledge will be highly regarded. Experience leading consultants, driving programs, and working under tight design and construction timeframes without a long front-end design period. Comfortable being client-facing and engaging with multiple senior stakeholders across the project. Open to candidates currently overseas with relevant hyperscale / mission‑critical experience. To explore this role in confidence, share your CV with IKG Talent or reach out directly for a conversation about fit, scope and package expectations.
