Principal, Design Lead

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 DescriptionWhy Join Us:This role is an excellent opportunity to join a deeply experienced and high-performing team with the ability to directly impact and contribute to Ada's development program. Our team combines industry-wide experience and in-country expertise across all our regions.We are committed to collaborating cross-functionally and partnering to drive efficient and effective solutions that meet the needs of our internal and external stakeholders.The Team you are joining:The Design & Innovation function is part of the Global Design, Development and Delivery organization and is responsible for enabling the delivery of scalable, reliable, and sustainable data center infrastructure across Ada's global portfolio.The organization operates through a collaborative global and regional model:Global Design & Innovation: Accountable for design standards, tools, productization, and innovation across all regions; operates as a center of excellence (CoE) and provides consultative support to regional teamsRegional Design: Executes and adapts global standards to local codes, customer requirements, and site-specific conditions while piloting innovations for broader global adoptionSummary:The Design Lead, North America is responsible for leading the design execution function across Ada's North American development portfolio. This role ensures global design standards are effectively adapted into buildable, code-compliant, customer-aligned, and site-specific solutions that support delivery excellence across the region.Working closely with the Global Design & Innovation team, this leader serves as the primary bridge between global standards and regional execution, ensuring designs are scalable, constructable, cost-effective, and aligned with business objectives.The role is also responsible for building, leading, and developing a high-performing multidisciplinary design organization that supports Ada's continued growth throughout North America.Responsibilities:Lead design execution across Ada's North American development portfolio, ensuring alignment with safety, quality, schedule, cost, constructability, and customer requirementsBuild, lead, and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary design organization foster ing accountability, collaboration and continuous improvementDirect the regional and site level adaptation and implementation of global standards, specifications, and requirements to meet codes, permitting requirements, customer needs, and site-specific conditionsPartner closely with Development and Delivery teams to ensure designs are constructable, cost-effective, scalable, and aligned with project objectivesServe as the regional design authority throughout project planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and turnoverEstablish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure regional design performance, quality, schedule performance of AOR/EORs, budget alignment, change management, and risk mitigationCollaborate with the Global Design & Innovation team to support continuous improvement of design standards, engineering specifications, and delivery processes through regional feedback and lessons learnedSupport the evaluation and implementation of new technologies, engineering approaches, and design innovations that improve performance, efficiency, reliability, and scalabilityPartner with Supply Chain to align designs with procurement strategies, equipment standardization initiatives, and vendor capabilitiesCollaborate with Operations and Commissioning teams to ensure designs support long-term operational reliability, maintainability, and lifecycle performanceChampion digital engineering, BIM, automation, and data-driven design practices to improve design efficiency and project outcomesFoster relationships with design consultants, engineering partners, equipment manufacturers, and industry stakeholders to maintain awareness of emerging trends and best practicesPartner with Development & Delivery teams to provide regular executive-level reporting on project performance, resource planning, design risks, and project level opportunitiesSupport customer engagements and strategic initiatives as required, communicating Ada's design capabilities and technical solutionsMinimum Requirements:Bachelor's degree in Design or Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Architectural, or related discipline)12+ years of experience in engineering, design, design management, or technical leadership within data centers, mission-critical infrastructureDemonstrated success building high-performing team, developing technical talent, and scaling teams through periods of growthStrong understanding of data center systems, including mechanical, electrical, controls, commissioning, and operational considerationsExperience leading design execution across multiple projects while balancing quality, schedule, budget, constructability, and customer requirementsExperience implementing standardized design approaches while adapting solutions to local codes, permitting requirements, and site-specific conditionsStrong commercial and operational acumen, including understanding of cost drivers, procurement considerations, project delivery risks, and decision-making tradeoffsExcellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence technical and executive audiences across a matrixed organizationWillingness to travel as required to support project sites, regional teams, customers, and business objectivesReporting RelationshipsCompensationThe 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.$250,000.00 - $275,000.00BenefitsThe firm also offers robust Benefits offerings.Comprehensive Medical/RxDental and Vision plans401(k) program with company matchFlexible Savings Accounts (FSA)Healthcare Savings Accounts (HSA) with company contributionBasic and Voluntary Life InsuranceLong-Term Disability (LTD) and Short-Term Disability (STD) insuranceEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)Commuter Benefits plan for parking and transitAres offers a number of additional benefits includingaccess to a world-class medical advisory teama mental health app that includes coaching, therapy and psychiatrya mindfulness and wellbeing appfinancial wellness benefit that includes access to a financial advisornew parent leavereproductive and adoption assistanceemergency backup carematching gift programeducation sponsorship programmuch more #J-18808-Ljbffr