Director, Design & Engineering Specialty Disciplines, NA

Vantage is committed to being a workplace of inclusion, equity, respect and acceptance. We celebrate diversity and intentionally seek out opportunities to learn from one another's experience.

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world's well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

North American Technical Solutions (NATS) Org | Design & Engineering, NA Team

The mission of the NATS Org is to provide technical expertise and thought leadership throughout the design, construction, and long-term operations lifecycle of industry-leading data centers for the hyperscale market. We are successful in our mission across multiple markets throughout North America.

The Design & Engineering, NA Team (DE NA) inside NATS is comprised of a skilled group of Engineers, Architects, and discipline leads (i.e., Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)) that provide thought leadership and innovative technical solutions for hyperscale data center design and development, at the programmatic level. Success in our mission demands collaboration with Sales, Construction, Operations, leadership teams, and external professional partners, among others. The DE NA Team enables site-specific design teams for success, ensures customer requirements are met, supports optimization of Vantage's development and operational goals, and proactively addresses North American development challenges and opportunities through thought leadership.

Position Description

*This role may be based in Denver, CO or Ashburn, VA*

Vantage Data Centers is seeking a Director, Design & Engineering Speciality Disciplines, NA to lead and integrate design and engineering disciplines-including Civil, Structural, and Architectural (CSA), Physical Security, Sustainability, Digital Information/Building Information Modeling (DI/BIM), and other key disciplines-within hyperscale data center development. This leadership role within the Design & Engineering, NA Team will oversee a team of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to provide thought leadership, technical excellence, interdisciplinary coordination, and adherence to industry standards, while balancing budgetary, constructability, operability, and business goals.

Leading this function, the Director will work programmatically to establish and maintain high-quality design standards and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to support site-specific campus planning, data center design, construction, and long-term operations.

Success in this role requires strategic leadership, adaptability, and the ability to navigate complex, evolving challenges. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, balance multiple priorities, work effectively across global and regional teams, and bring a combination of confidence, expertise, patience, and an open mind to drive innovation and excellence in data center design.

Essential Job Functions and Duties

• Provide leadership, strategic direction, and people management for "specialty design disciplines" (CSA, Sustainability, Physical Security, DI/BIM, and others as added to the company) in North America

• Understand competing variables in design, construction, operations, and business drivers for real estate development of hyperscale data centers; balance all to achieve optimized solutions

• Confident coordinating with cross-functional partners including customers, external consultants, and executive leadership

• Lead delivery of initiatives on-time and on-budget; support development of initiative roadmaps and resource planning

• Professional experience and deep understanding of building design and construction processes, standards, and codes

• Build, mentor, and lead a team of specialty discipline Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence.

• Conduct performance evaluations and support ongoing professional development for team members.

• Drive the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to enhance design efficiency and performance.

• Lead initiatives to incorporate sustainable and energy-efficient practices into specialty discipline designs.

• Act as a liaison between specialty discipline teams and other departments, such as operations, construction, and IT.

• Ensure clear communication and coordination among internal stakeholders and external partners.

• Represent the company at industry conferences, client meetings, and other professional forums.

• Maintain and develop awareness of relevant changes in the industry; proactively share knowledge broadly within organization

• Travel expected between 10% and 25%, but may vary over time as the business evolves

• Additional duties as assigned by Management

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in pertinent field (Architecture, Engineering, etc.), equivalent military experience/training, or exceptional and demonstrated career experience and expertise

• Minimum 12+ years overall work experience in building design and construction industry

• Experience with Data Center, Mission Critical, Critical Infrastructure, and/or large-scale development market sectors preferred

• Proven track record in leadership roles, managing multidisciplinary teams and complex projects.

• Experience with real estate development and/or representing the Owner preferred

• Broad understanding of Civil, Structural, Architecture (CSA); General understanding of Physical Security, Sustainability, and related disciplines as they apply to data center or complex design and construction

• Knowledge of North American design development, construction documentation, and project delivery standards, codes, and processes required; knowledge specific to data centers and/or infrastructure projects preferred

• Strong understanding of cross-discipline coordination and collaboration necessary for design, construction, and operation of buildings and campuses.

• Outstanding communication skills (written, oral, presentation, and documentation). Ability to tailor communications to differing audiences (technical, peer leaders, Exec Leadership, customers, etc.). Must be fluent in English.

• Proficient at determining priorities and maintaining focus on top priority items through to completion

• Ability to build, cultivate, and leverage personal and professional relationships; effectively collaborate, negotiate, and coordinate cross-functionally

• Comfort in a fast-paced, dynamic, entrepreneurial environment; comfortable working both autonomously as well as part of a team

• Ability to use time productively and work efficiently to achieve team/project goals

• Proficient in Microsoft suite of applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint, among others. Proficiency with Power BI and tracking and reporting dashboards preferred.

• Ability to travel between the US and Canada (must have, or be able to obtain, valid passport)

• Professional Engineer (PE) or Architect (RA; AIA) licensure is a plus

• LEED Accreditation, Uptime Institute certifications, Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, or other relevant credentials are a plus

Additional Details

• Salary Range: $170,000 - $190,000 Base + Bonus (this range is based on Colorado market data and may vary in other locations)

• This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.

• Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside the range shown.

#LI-MS1 #LI-Hybrd

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other's strengths and respecting each other's weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.