EMEA Critical Site Operations Design Manager, Associate

About This Role About Workplace Operations Workplace Operations oversees the firm’s Facilities Management, Hospitality, and Critical Site Operations functions. The team includes BlackRock employees and outsourced professionals across the globe, all focused on delivering a consistent, high-quality experience for BlackRock employees and visitors.

The EMEA Critical Site Operations Design Manager supports the real estate team with site selection, critical systems design, and commissioning for offices and data centers across the region. Because these facilities operate around the clock, the role is responsible for helping manage risk and maintain continuous uptime. This position also coordinates with design and construction, facilities management, engineering operations, and IT operations, to ensure the readiness, reliability, and integrity of mission-critical infrastructure designs throughout EMEA. In addition, the successful candidate should be able to apply AI to strengthen and enhance BlackRock’s design standards.

This role requires a strong understanding of how mission critical systems operate and the ability to work closely with consulting engineers on mission-critical design. This includes knowledge of electrical switchgear, transfer switches, backup power systems, and HVAC operations. The successful candidate will also help oversee BlackRock’s IFM provider, JLL, along with other critical service providers supporting data center and facility infrastructure systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the engineering design and operation of mission critical infrastructure systems and equipment across offices and data centers.
• Manage critical systems throughout the EMEA region.
• Lead MEP design, construction, and operational budget management.
• Ensure compliance with BlackRock design standards, operating procedures, methods of procedure, and emergency response protocols for mission-critical environments.
• Use AI-assisted design tools, such as generative layout engines, to develop and assess optimized HVAC, piping, and lighting layouts based on building geometry and space constraints.
• Apply predictive AI simulations to evaluate energy use, optimize equipment sizing, and assess system performance under multiple scenarios.
• Leverage AI-powered models to check designs against current building codes and standards, including Building Code, ASHRAE, and NEC, and identify non-compliance automatically.
• Manage site-based MEP and IT Life Cycle Management (LCM) projects.
• Perform ongoing assessments of infrastructure system operational readiness.
• Review and enhance preventive and predictive maintenance procedures for all critical infrastructure systems.
• Ensure 24/7/365 coverage and effective emergency response for infrastructure and IT equipment failures.
• Partner with Global Critical Engineering and Global Technology teams to provide expertise on design objectives, operational performance, and infrastructure systems that support efficient and maintainable operations.
• Provide remote technical support for EMEA facility operations.

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Facilities Engineering, Data Center Operations, Military, or other equivalent related life experience preferred.
• Five to Ten years of building engineering design management, facilities management, data center management, or related experience.
• Strong knowledge of mission critical cooling systems, power systems, mechanical systems, and fire suppression systems.
• Familiarity with AI-driven MEP plugins or generative design workflows.
• Project management skills.
• Knowledge of Electrical/Arc Flash Safety (NFPA 70E)
• Electrical or HVAC licenses would be a plus.
• Working familiarity with Microsoft Office, Outlook, Cad/BIM Platforms, and Integrated Work Maintenance Management System (IWMS) software.
• The candidate must be available for travel, weekend work, and available for emergency problems on a 24/7/365 basis.

Our Benefits To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of employee benefits including: retirement investment and tools designed to help you in building a sound financial future; access to education reimbursement; comprehensive resources to support your physical health and emotional well-being; family support programs; and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.

Our hybrid work model Blac…