Design Lead - Sports Surfaces

Manpower; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports development firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a Design Lead to spearhead innovative sports surface and infrastructure projects. The successful candidate will guide design teams through all RIBA stages, engage with clients and stakeholders, and drive sustainable design practices. A degree in a relevant field and over five years of experience in sports facilities design are essential. This role offers a dynamic work environment focused on pioneering solutions for elite sports clients.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in sports facilities and infrastructure design.
• Proven experience coordinating multidisciplinary design teams.
• Strong understanding of sports surface systems and international standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design process on major sports surface projects.
• Manage design delivery across all RIBA stages.
• Act as the primary design interface with clients and stakeholders.

Skills

Team leadership

Design coordination

Technical presentation

Innovation in design

Education

Degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, or Sports Engineering

Professional accreditation (e.g. Chartered Engineer, Architect)

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Civil 3D

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

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 lifecycles
• 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