Architecture Director - Data Centres

Job Description

We are a multidisciplinary team working with Data Centre clients across UK & Ireland and Europe, on both Hyperscale and Colocation projects. These projects are led from our specialist Data Centre team based in the UK in conjunction with our local teams across Europe who ensure localisation and permitting delivery. Additionally, our other global design teams provide resource and capability to the projects.

We are seeking an experienced Architect/Architecture Technologist/Lead Consultant, with a strong technical background in the DC sector who can lead multi-disciplinary architectural and engineering projects at a Technical Director level; one who can establish, build and maintain strong relationships with key clients both through successful project delivery but also through building a trusted Client Account Manager (CAM) approach. Another key responsibility will be assisting the sector lead in identifying future pipeline and securing opportunities to meet as a minimum the targets allocated to these key accounts.

This will require being across multiple projects at once, whilst at the same time being sufficiently involved to be able to identify potential issues and troubleshoot before they materialise, to ensure the right level and capability of resource are deployed on a project. You will be intrinsic to the bidding and pricing of new opportunities, specifically on CSA activities and ensuring that those opportunities deliver to the ‘as sold’ fees and margins.

The role will take the lead in internal commercial and contractual governance for the key client/s projects, ensuring compliance to internal process, managing risk to AECOM and ensuring profitable delivery.

The location of the role is flexible within the UK/ Ireland; however, it would be preferable if it was located in (or sufficiently close and aligned to) one of our hubs of expertise – Manchester, Dublin, Belfast. The role will require travel within the UK&I and Europe.

You will already be strong in technical design content, with an Architectural and Lead Designer bias, together with a proven capability in design management, digital technologies, and design workflow. You will be expected to oversee design activities and the production of design information and maintain the level of quality that is expected throughout these projects. You will have to manage this delivery to very demanding timelines and programmes with immovable deadlines, as is typical in that sector.

You will be working closely with the multi-disciplinary design teams, clients, and contractors in the UK and Europe, so excellent communication skills are essential.

• Lead Designer/Consultant on a portfolio of projects
• Co‑ordinating the discipline leads across projects for Architecture and Engineering deliverables
• Leading bids commercially and technically for multi-disciplinary opportunities with key clients
• Ensuring all internal governance is followed both at bid stage and throughout the delivery of projects
• Identifying and securing targeted projects / revenue
• Presenting to clients and prospective clients
• Supporting other Directors in this sector with internal management and strategy
• General administrative and management duties appropriate to data centre team

• Fully Qualified Architect or Technologist (Chartered or equivalent)
• Proven related technical experience
• Recent experience of having worked on Data Centre projects
• Experience of various forms of building contract
• Working knowledge of Building Systems, Regulations, and construction types
• IT literate, with knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Google Docs
• Ability to manage a busy workload and deadlines
• Work experience within a similar consultancy or other relevant business
• A clear work history and proof of professional development and learning
• Ideally, you will be based locally to a key office or be willing to relocate

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings,…