Design Manager – Data Center, Porto- Portugal

About CTS Group

CTS Group is a fast-growing international design and build company specialising in data centre development across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). We combine engineering excellence, innovation, and digital transformation to deliver high-performance, sustainable, and future-ready data centre solutions.

With over 40 nationalities represented across our teams, CTS fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture where innovation and technical precision drive every project. Beyond construction, CTS develops digital systems and standardised modular data centre units to meet the evolving needs of hyperscalers, colocation providers, and enterprise clients.

Role Overview

We are hiring Design Managers at junior, intermediate, and senior levels to manage the design process on data centre and mission-critical projects across our EMEA portfolio. The role coordinates architecture, structural, civil, and MEP disciplines from concept through to IFC and as-built. It works closely with clients, consultants, authorities, and our engineering, procurement, and construction teams to deliver fast-track projects.

The scope grows with seniority. Junior roles support design delivery under supervision. Senior roles set design strategy, hold sign-off authority, and mentor the team.

Key Responsibilities

Define and manage the design programme, governance, and stage-gate process (concept, schematic, detailed design, IFC), tracking deliverables against project milestones.

Coordinate multidisciplinary design and BIM, including BIM Execution Plans, modelling standards, and clash detection in Navisworks, to deliver a fully integrated, clash-free design.

Manage and negotiate with lead architects, structural, MEP, and specialist design consultants, reviewing progress, quality, and deliverables against scope and programme.

Chair and minute design review meetings, and track actions, RFIs, technical queries, and design risks through to closure.

Lead or support value engineering and design optimisation, balancing cost, programme, and technical performance.

Manage the design budget and change control, and escalate scope, cost, or schedule risks.

Review drawings, models, and specifications for completeness and compliance with codes, CTS standards, and client requirements.

Coordinate with authorities, utility providers, and certifying bodies, ensuring compliance with Portuguese building and fire-safety regulations.

Maintain document control (drawing registers, revisions, and issue logs) in common data environments such as BIM 360 / ACC and Aconex.

Compile design packages for procurement and issue-for-construction.

Prepare and present progress reports and client-facing design reviews.

Mentor and develop design managers and coordinators (senior level).

Required Skills and Experience

A degree in Architecture or Civil, Structural, Mechanical, or Electrical (MEP) Engineering; a Master's is preferred for senior level.

3 to 10+ years in design management, engineering, or multidisciplinary project delivery, with proven data centre or mission-critical experience:

Junior: 3–5 years

Design Manager: 5–10 years

Senior: 10+ years, including leading design on data centre projects

Experience with a Tier 1 or Tier 2 Design & Build contractor, an EPC firm, or an engineering consultancy.

Knowledge of BIM methodology, BEPs, LOD, ISO 19650, and common data environments.

Software: Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, and MS Project or Primavera P6.

Understanding of design stage-gate processes (RIBA Plan of Work or equivalent) for fast-track delivery.

Familiarity with Portuguese and EU regulations (RGEU, RT-SCIE, RJUE, Eurocodes).

Fluent English; Portuguese is required for junior roles and is an advantage for other levels.

Strong organisation, communication, stakeholder-management, and leadership skills.

Willingness to travel and to be assigned to project sites.