Design lead

STRI Ltd; Bingley; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports surface development company in Bingley is seeking a Design Lead to manage multidisciplinary design projects focused on innovative sports surface infrastructure. Candidates should possess a degree in architecture or engineering, with over 5 years of relevant experience. Proficiency in design software like AutoCAD and strong leadership skills are essential. The position is full-time with an annual salary ranging between £45,000 and £60,000. The role includes both office and on-site work, ensuring engagement with clients nationally and internationally.

Benefits

Company events

Company pension

Cycle to work scheme

Enhanced maternity leave

Enhanced paternity leave

Financial planning services

Free parking

Life insurance

On-site parking

Sick pay

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in design and delivery of sports facilities, stadiums, or landscape engineering projects.
• Proven track record in working with design teams and coordinating multidisciplinary consultants.
• Experience with BIM workflows and federated design environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design process for major sports surface and infrastructure projects.
• Manage design delivery across all RIBA stages and ensure outputs meet required levels of detail.
• Act as the primary design interface with clients, architects, engineers, and contractors.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Client-focused

Education

Bachelor's or master's degree in architecture, Civil Engineering, Sports Engineering, or related technical discipline

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Civil 3D

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

STRI Consulting is a world leading sports surface and environmental development, design and technical solutions focused business with its head office in Bingley, West Yorkshire. It is part of the STRI Group, several businesses focused on providing innovative solutions to the sport and urban environments sectors.

The company has over 95 years of history and has worked on some of the biggest national and international projects which in the last 25 years has included the 2012 Olympics in London, numerous FIFA world cups, UEFA competitions, the Saudi Cup turf racetrack in Saudi Arabia, development solutions for elite professional sports clubs in the UK and working with large multinational development & construction businesses and local & national government.

As the company expands, it is looking to bring in the right person to help deliver our expanding portfolio of development projects, working as part of a wider cross‑group team delivering high quality facilities on behalf of our clients.

STRI has several specialist consultants, designers, and technicians as well as project management capability and digital designers that can realise and deliver our clients' aspirations. The successful candidate would be working as part of the development team alongside other specialist development consultants.

Job Purpose

To lead the design and delivery of innovative sports surface and field‑of‑play infrastructure and solutions within STRI Consulting’s global projects. The Design Lead will manage multidisciplinary design projects, coordinate technical outputs and ensure design excellence, compliance and innovation across all project stages from concept through construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design process for major sports surface and infrastructure projects, ensuring alignment with STRI’s technical standards and client expectations.
• Manage design delivery across all RIBA stages (0–7), ensuring outputs meet required levels of detail (LoD/LoI) and integrate effectively with the wider design team.
• Develop and maintain project design intent, ensuring technical coordination between STRI disciplines (turf, irrigation, drainage, lighting, etc.) and external consultants.
• Develop, review and approve design documentation, drawings, and specifications to ensure accuracy, clarity and quality.

Project Delivery & Management

• Manage design programmes in coordination with Master Information Delivery Plans (MIDPs) and Task Information Delivery Plans (TIDPs).
• Support project managers in defining scopes, deliverables, and timelines.
• Oversee resource planning and mentor design staff to achieve project goals.
• Provide technical support during tendering and construction phases.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary design interface with clients, architects, engineers, and contractors.
• Present design concepts, reports, and solutions clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Facilitate design workshops and ensure client objectives are understood and met.

Technical Excellence & Innovation

• Champion sustainable, data‑driven and performance‑led design principles.
• Drive innovation in sports surface design through integration of new materials, systems, and monitoring technologies.
• Ensure compliance with international sporting federation standards (e.g., FIFA, ITF, World Athletics etc).

Quality Assurance & Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate design risks through regular review and coordination meetings.
• Maintain and enforce design QA/QC procedures, ensuring consistency across all deliverables.
• Contribute to lessons‑learned reviews and continuous improvement initiatives within STRI’s design function.

Skills & Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture, Civil Engineering, Sports Engineering, or related technical discipline.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in design and delivery of sports facilities, stadiums, or landscape engineering projects.
• Proven track record in working with design teams and coordinating multidisciplinary consultants.
• Experience with BIM workflows and federated design environments.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in design software such as AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong understanding of surface systems, substructure engineering, and field‑of‑play technologies (drainage, irrigation, turf systems, etc.).
• Familiarity with international sporting standards and performance testing criteria.
• Good understanding of Uniformat classification and master format specification writing.

Soft Skills

• Strong leadership, mentoring, and communication abilities.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills.
• Analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making capability.
• Client‑focused, with commercial awareness and attention to quality.
• Passionate about sport, sustainability, and design innovation.

Licence/Certification

• Professional accreditation (e.g., Chartered Engineer, Architect, or equivalent) desirable.
• United Kingdom licence required.

The Design Lead will be based within STRI’s design team, collaborating closely with agronomic, engineering and research specialists. The role involves both office and on‑site work, with periodic travel to client locations in the UK and internationally.

Job Types: Full‑time, Permanent

Pay: £45,000.00‑£60,000.00 per year

Benefits

• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Financial planning services
• Free parking
• Life insurance
• On‑site parking
• Sick pay