Design Lead - Sports Surfaces

Our client is a globally recognised company specialising in sports surface development, environmental design, and technical solutions. With nearly a century of experience, the business has delivered some of the world's most high-profile sports and major infrastructure projects, working across elite sport, large-scale developments, and public-sector clients worldwide. Due to continued growth, we are seeking an experienced Design Lead to support and help deliver an expanding portfolio of global development projects.

The Role
The Design Lead will be responsible for leading the design and delivery of innovative sports surface and field-of-play infrastructure solutions across international projects. The role involves managing multidisciplinary design teams, coordinating technical outputs, and ensuring design excellence from concept through to construction.
You will work as part of a specialist development team alongside consultants, engineers, and designers, contributing to complex, high-profile projects for elite and institutional clients.

Key Responsibilities
Design Leadership & Coordination

Lead the design process on major sports surface and infrastructure projects
Manage design delivery across all RIBA stages (0-7)
Maintain and communicate clear design intent throughout project life cycles
Coordinate internal technical disciplines and external consultants
Review and approve drawings, specifications, and design documentation

Project Delivery & Management

Manage design programmes in line with information delivery plans
Support project managers with scopes, deliverables, and timelines
Oversee design resources and mentor junior team members
Provide technical input during tendering and construction phases

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

Act as the primary design interface with clients, architects, engineers, and contractors
Present design solutions to both technical and non-technical audiences
Lead and facilitate design workshops and stakeholder meetings

Technical Excellence & Innovation

Champion sustainable, performance-led, and data-driven design
Drive innovation through new materials, systems, and monitoring technologies
Ensure compliance with international sporting federation standards (e.g. FIFA, ITF, World Athletics)
Quality Assurance & Risk Management

Identify and mitigate design risks
Maintain QA/QC processes across all design outputs
Contribute to continuous improvement and lessons-learned initiatives
Skills & Experience
Education & Qualifications

Degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Sports Engineering, or a related discipline
Professional accreditation (e.g. Chartered Engineer, Architect) desirable Experience

Minimum 5 years' experience in sports facilities, stadiums, landscape, or infrastructure design
Proven experience coordinating multidisciplinary design teams
Experience working within BIM and federated design environments

Technical Skills

Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, and Adobe Creative Suite
Strong understanding of sports surface systems, drainage, irrigation, lighting, and substructures
Knowledge of international sporting standards and testing criteria
Familiarity with Uniclass/Uniformat and specification writing