Design Director (Innovation & Engineering)

Company Description

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries. 

Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects and programmes as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success. 

Our capabilities include programme, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions. 

We are majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premier programme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world. 

Job Description

Turner & Townsend is seeking a Director of Design Management to support innovation initiatives, campus master planning, and the ongoing evolution of design standards to ensure cost‑effective, energy‑efficient, and future‑ready data centre facilities across the Americas. This individual will serve as a subject matter expert within the Innovation & Engineering team, partnering closely with the Vice President of Architecture to guide BOD and BTS design activities, oversee third‑party consultants, and ensure project documentation is accurate, timely, and within budget.

The successful candidate will be a driven leader with strong technical expertise, excellent communication skills, and the ability to influence design strategy across a complex and fast‑growing portfolio.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide subject matter expertise in design management, supporting innovation, master planning, and design standardization across the Americas region.
• Partner closely with the Vice President of Architecture to guide Basis of Design (BOD) and Build‑to‑Suit (BTS) design activities.
• Oversee and coordinate third‑party design consultants, ensuring high‑quality, timely, and cost‑effective deliverables.
• Support the training and mentorship of staff, promoting a culture of learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Design Standards, Tools & Documentation

• Maintain, enhance, and govern the company’s Basis of Design, ensuring alignment with innovation goals and operational requirements.
• Manage digital design tools including Revit models, BIM standards, Test Fit playbooks, and other design documentation systems.
• Support the implementation and adoption of digital technologies and data platforms such as Power BI.
• Lead design deviation tracking and ensure corrective actions are documented and communicated.
• Provide design expertise for existing facilities and support Critical Operations with digital documentation needs.
• Ensure effective document management throughout the design lifecycle.

Innovation, Strategy & Market Awareness

• Monitor emerging technologies and identify opportunities to improve facility efficiency, sustainability, and performance.
• Contribute to long‑term strategic initiatives, including Digital Twin development and advanced data‑driven design methodologies.
• Act as a design ambassador within the organization, communicating design policies, standards, and updates across teams.
• Support the development of thought leadership and contribute to internal and external presentations.

Project & Program Support

• Ensure project documentation is accurate, timely, and within budget.
• Provide design oversight and technical guidance during planning, design, and execution phases.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure alignment between design intent, operational needs, and business objectives.

Business & Operational Responsibilities

• Identify opportunities to enhance design processes, workflows, and digital tools.
• Support internal audits, quality control processes, and compliance with internal standards.
• Partner with talent acquisition to attract top design and engineering talent and plan for future resource needs.
• Promote a one‑business culture that balances the needs of people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role and must be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, construction management, or a related field.
• Graduate degree in architecture, engineering, or construction management preferred.
• 12+ years of relevant design management or architectural experience, ideally within data centres or complex technical facilities.
• Experience managing large, high‑performing, multidisciplinary teams in a consulting or owner‑side environment.
• Proven track record of delivering successful design management services and driving innovation in design standards.
• Strong understanding of BIM, Revit, digital design tools, and data‑driven design methodologies.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder‑management skills.

Additional Information

The salary range for this full-time role is $150K-$200K per year. Ranges are determined by role and level and represent a good faith effort to provide a fair and equitable salary. This range is a reflection of base salary only, not of a total compensation package.  Please note Turner & Townsend reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range, depending on candidate’s experience and qualifications. 

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our clients' needs.*

Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance. 

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/

Turner & Townsend does not accept any speculative or unsolicited CV’s that have been sent to our internal recruitment team or hiring managers from agencies outside of our preferred supplier list or that have not followed due process. Any speculative or unsolicited CV’s will be treated as a direct application.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
 

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It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time. 

Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e-mail accounts, are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.