Senior Sports Interior Designer – Director of Interiors Strategy

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World. At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

AECOM is seeking a Senior Sports Interior Design Lead and Director of Interiors to join our global Sports & Venues team. This leadership role operates at the intersection of client development, visioning, planning, project and development advisory, and advanced design and visualization workflows across multiple regions and markets. This position will be located in our Dallas, TX office.

The successful candidate will be a compelling storyteller capable of shaping and communicating the vision for sports and entertainment projects while engaging clients, stakeholders and internal teams. They will bring technical depth to translate visionary concepts into coordinated planning, building programming and visually powerful presentations, and expertise in delivering. The ideal candidate will bring strong experience as a lead designer on sports and entertainment projects, combined with client-facing business development, and project advisory roles that include early project definition, stakeholder engagement and thought leadership.

• Set the overall design vision and provide direction for all projects, ensuring a consistent, high-quality brand experience across venues in direct alignment with sector leadership.
• Bridge the gap between architecture and interior design, ensuring holistic and emotionally resonant environments.
• Act as a primary point of contact for clients, building relationships and understanding their strategic objectives.
• Lead visioning sessions and workshops to translate client goals into innovative design solutions that drive revenue and ROI.
• Lead programming and conceptual phases, ensuring designs are creative, memorable, and strategically aligned with client vision.
• Oversee all aspects of design, from space planning and architecture to furniture, finishes, and digital integration.
• Build, mentor, and manage high-performing design teams, including hiring, professional development, and project assignments.
• Foster a culture of design excellence and continuous improvement.
• Oversee projects from initial concept through to completion, making critical decisions on design direction, quality, and delivery.
• Ensure seamless integration of interior and exterior architectural elements.
• Stay current on trends in sports, hospitality, and entertainment design, driving innovation and identifying new opportunities for clients.
• Lead research on future-focused trends such as F&B, local immersion, and experiential design.
• Participate in the pursuit of new business leads and the growth of the firm’s portfolio.
• Drive major pursuits from visioning and strategy through proposal, interview, and win, focusing on high-profile, transformational projects.
• Represent AECOM at national and international events, conferences, and industry forums.
• Publish and present on sports design, venue strategy, and entertainment district development.
• Utilize qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to inform design decisions and optimize user experience.
• Integrate data-driven insights and evidence-based design into project strategies.
• Translate client brand identity into tangible environments that enhance loyalty and recognition.
• Create cohesive experiences that blend physical and digital storytelling.

• Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design, Architecture, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience including 2 years of leadership, with a strong portfolio of sports, hospitality, or entertainment projects.
• Advanced proficiency in design software (Revit, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.).
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and manage complex, multi-office projects.