Senior Associate, Data Center Design Management, North America

About this role

Over the last 20 years, Ares’ success has been driven by our people and our culture. Today, our team is guided by our core values – Collaborative, Responsible, Entrepreneurial, Self-Aware, Trustworthy – and our purpose to be a catalyst for shared prosperity and a better future. Through our recruitment, career development and employee-focused programming, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment where high-performance talent of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can build careers within this exciting and growing industry.

Job Description Summary  

As the Senior Associate, Data Center Design Management (North America), you will lead the coordination and management of external architect and engineering consultant teams to deliver fully integrated data center designs that meet customer requirements. This role focuses on driving alignment across disciplines, ensuring seamless integration of all building and critical systems, and   maintaining   high-quality deliverables under compressed timelines.  

You bring a strong understanding of data center systems and design processes, with the ability to manage complexity, competing priorities, and fast-paced project demands. You will partner closely with internal development, construction, and commercial teams to ensure designs are coordinated,   feasible , and aligned with project   objectives . Knowledge of planning, zoning, and entitlement processes is   required   to   support   our   site development   team.  

Responsibilities  

• Design   manage   external consultant teams including architects, engineers, and specialty consultants to produce coordinated, high-quality data center designs.  

• Define and manage scope, deliverables, and performance expectations for consultants, ensuring adherence to schedule, budget, and quality standards.  

• Lead coordination across all design disciplines to ensure fully integrated building and infrastructure solutions that meet   our project   objectives   and   customer requirements.  

• Drive delivery of design and engineering packages within aggressive timelines,   maintaining   a high level   of quality and completeness.  

• Partner with development teams to support planning, zoning, and entitlement efforts, ensuring design alignment with jurisdictional requirements and approval processes.  

• Support responses to customer requests for proposals (RFPs) by contributing to technical narratives, design approaches, and solution development.  

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders across   sales,   development,   EH&S,   security, construction , and operations to ensure   stakeholder requirements are coordinated with customer requirements.   

• Monitor consultant performance and proactively manage risks related to coordination, schedule, and deliverable quality.  

• Support budget tracking and management of consultant contracts and invoicing.  

Skills & Experience  

Minimum Qualifications  

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture , Engineering, or related field.  

• 7+ years   of progressive experience in design management of data   center   or similarly complex technical projects.  

• Proven experience   managing architect and engineering consultant teams   and coordinating multi-disciplinary design efforts.  

• Demonstrated ability to   lead the   delivery   high-quality design packages under compressed schedules.  

• Working knowledge of planning, zoning, and entitlement processes and their impact on design and development.  

• Strong understanding of data center design principles and integrated building systems (MEP, structural, etc.).  

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across diverse stakeholder groups.  

• Highly organized and detail-oriented with a focus on execution and accountability.  

• Proficiency   in relevant design and project management tools .  

Preferred Qualifications  

• Master’s degree in Architecture or Engineering .  

• Experience working on hyperscale or high-density data center projects.  

• Exposure to modular or prefabricated construction approaches.  

• Experience supporting client-facing technical discussions and solution development.  

Reporting Relationships

Compensation The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Total compensation may also include a discretionary performance-based bonus. Note, the range takes into account a broad spectrum of qualifications, including, but not limited to, years of relevant work experience, education, and other relevant qualifications specific to the role.

$140,000.00 - $160,000.00 The firm also offers robust Benefits offerings. Ares U.S. Core Benefits include Comprehensive Medical/Rx, Dental and Vision plans; 401(k) program with company match; Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA); Healthcare Savings Accounts (HSA) with company contribution; Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance; Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Short-Term Disability (STD) insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Commuter Benefits plan for parking and transit.

Ares offers a number of additional benefits including access to a world-class medical advisory team, a mental health app that includes coaching, therapy and psychiatry, a mindfulness and wellbeing app, financial wellness benefit that includes access to a financial advisor, new parent leave, reproductive and adoption assistance, emergency backup care, matching gift program, education sponsorship program, and much more.

There is no set deadline to apply for this job opportunity. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the search is no longer active.

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