CAD & Overlay Manager

Sport54; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading sports and entertainment agency in London seeks a skilled Event Operations Manager to oversee overlay design and event execution. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in CAD drafting, excellent project management skills, and the ability to manage complex relationships with suppliers and stakeholders. The role offers a competitive salary and hybrid working options.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Annual Discretionary Company Bonus

Private Healthcare

Pension scheme

25 days annual leave

Qualifications

• In-depth understanding of overlay requirements within professional sports events.
• Strong technical design (CAD) drafting experience.
• Ability to manage complex relationships with suppliers and local authorities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the planning and execution of overlay design for events.
• Coordinate with structure suppliers and operational services.
• Manage relationships with suppliers, rightsholders, and internal teams.

Skills

Proficient in AutoCAD (2D/3D)

Event design software knowledge

Communication skills

Project management

Problem-solving skills

Tools

SketchUp

Vectorworks

Revit

Job description

About 54group

54 is a sports and entertainment agency operating across five regions and eight offices: United Kingdom (London), Europe (Sotogrande, Spain), MENA (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia & Dubai, United Arab Emirates), APAC (Singapore & Adelaide, Australia) and USA (West Palm Beach, Florida & New York). It works with rights holders, governing bodies, household brands and major investors who share its belief in the power of sport. 54 comprises three service areas each consisting of two divisions: 1. Strategic Advisory (Consultancy and Data & Insights), 2. Asset Optimisation (Operations and Commercial), 3. Activation & Engagement (Events and Marketing). At its core, the company has an unwavering belief in embracing the opportunities offered by pushing at the edges of conventional wisdom to turn the improbable into the unignorable.

Role Overview

The successful candidate will oversee the planning and execution of overlay design and delivery for a high‑profile event series, ensuring consistency and technical excellence across all event sites. This includes CAD drafting and spatial planning, temporary structure build coordination, stakeholder liaison, supplier management, and collaboration with operations and guest experience teams as well as being client‑facing and representing 54 Event Operations.

An in‑depth understanding of overlay requirements within professional sports events—including stakeholder needs, building codes and technical specifications, operational functionality, catering & hospitality planning and spectator flow—is preferred. Candidates with strong technical design (CAD) drafting experience and a desire to grow within the global events ecosystem are also encouraged to apply. The events portfolio spans diverse geographies and sports, so international experience and adaptability are key.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in overlay and CAD‑based site design, possess excellent technical and project management skills, and demonstrate both innovation and precision under tight timelines. The role requires the ability to manage complex relationships with suppliers, rightsholders, local authorities and internal teams. A collaborative mindset, strong self‑motivation, and the ability to work both remotely and from 54’s offices are essential. Global travel and on‑site presence will be required in line with project needs.

Application Deadline: November 12, 2025
Department: Events
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: London
Workplace type: Hybrid
Reporting To: Tom Warneke

Key Roles And Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

• Ensure global consistency for our client throughout their roster of events, adapting to local market conditions where required.
• Oversee key operational design and technical elements for the series, ensuring regional delivery teams operate according to standard plans.
• Create and review key CAD Designs, Specific Element Plans and Site Wide GAs to ensure smooth and successful implementation and delivery across multiple projects.
• Liaise with Event Directors and other key internal stakeholders to ensure plans and documents are fit for purpose.
• Liaise with Safety and Risk teams to ensure compliance with all designs and plans.
• Collaborate effectively with Procurement Manager and Operations Directors to deliver cost efficiencies and high quality of product throughout the series.
• Support across supplier negotiations, requirements, and services.
• Keep up to date with the latest innovations in event operations.

Leadership & Co‑ordination

• Be an excellent communicator and team player.
• Liaise regularly with other departments to ensure alignment.
• Contribute regularly, provide good insights and support in event planning meetings.
• Encourage and develop best‑practice across the business.
• Always create a positive team culture, providing support where required and creating clear development pathways for team members.
• Lead a team of skilled professionals to deliver a wide range of activities ensuring high standards.
• Must be willing to travel to oversee and/or support international events – circa 16 weeks.

Operational Delivery

• Oversee and coordinate all CAD design for events, including specific event overlay planning and coordination with structure suppliers and other operational services/functions as required.
• Ensure all Event Operations related KPIs (including delivery elements and reporting requirements) are met and, where possible, exceeded at all times.
• Create, review and ensure consistency of key operational planning documents to ensure smooth and successful implementation across multiple events within the series.
• Act as key point of contact for the client’s event design and infrastructure requirements including structures and interior design.
• Owni & lead on event operations delivery and execution of specific allocated events when required.
• Alongside the Event Operations Directors, oversee the build, design and usage of key operational documents including CAD plans and logistics plans in line with 54 Event Operational standards.
• Implement and operate at all times according to the Event Operations Safety & Risk Management System and within 54’s Event Operations Risk Management Standards.
• Oversee event site management teams as well as allocated Overlay & Infrastructure Managers as needed.
• Conduct regular meetings within the operations team on the event ensuring all key areas and specialties are aligned and delivering as required.
• Act as a subject matter expert across site & infrastructure, site planning and CAD design.
• Ensure safe operations on‑site, ensuring the highest safety & security standards are adhered to at all times.
• Drive world‑class event operations standards in all aspects of delivery while proactively monitoring and reporting on event delivery, working with the Event Operations Directors to remedy issues before they occur.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Provide concise updates to the Head of Event Operations, the leadership team and stakeholders in a timely manner about event delivery and status.
• Ensure project management tools are used consistently and effectively at all times.
• Produce clear and concise reports for senior management and client review in a timely manner, including but not limited to budget reports, resourcing and post‑event reporting.

Special Skills/Experience/Aptitudes Needed

• Proficient in AutoCAD (2D/3D) and event design software (e.g., SketchUp, Vectorworks, Revit).
• Strong knowledge of temporary structures, site layout, crowd flow and event infrastructure.
• Experience producing site plans, overlay drawings, build schedules and technical layouts.
• Understanding of structural considerations, ground conditions and health & safety for temporary builds.
• Proven ability to manage overlay design and delivery across multiple events or large‑scale sites.
• Skilled in budgeting, procurement, contractor coordination and on‑site delivery.
• Confident working with clients, rightsholders, authorities and cross‑functional internal teams.
• Excellent project management, organisation and communication skills.
• Able to work independently, travel internationally and thrive in fast‑paced event environments.
• Detail‑oriented, practical, solutions‑driven with a strong design sensibility.
• Valid driver’s licence.

Salary And Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Annual Discretionary Company Bonus – up to 8% (3% Company & 5% Individual)
• Pension scheme
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• 25 days annual leave (+ public holidays), pro‑rated & Birthday off
• Increased annual leave with years of service
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Private Healthcare
• Enhanced Parental Leave
• Staff clothing
• Working hours 09:00‑17:30 with an hour taken for lunch between 12:00‑14:00.

About We Are 54

54 is a sports and entertainment agency operating across five regions and eight offices: United Kingdom (London), Europe (Sotogrande, Spain), MENA (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia & Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates), APAC (Singapore & Adelaide, Australia) and USA (West Palm Beach, Florida). It works with rights holders, governing bodies, household brands and major investors who share its belief in the power of sport. 54 comprises three service areas each consisting of two divisions: 1. Strategic Advisory (Consultancy and Data & Insights), 2. Asset Optimisation (Operations and Commercial), 3. Activation & Engagement (Events and Marketing). At its core, the company has an unwavering belief in embracing the opportunities offered by pushing at the edges of conventional wisdom to turn the improbable into the unignorable.