Lead Architect

Eden Brown; England; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Senior Architect to manage the design and delivery of innovative sports surface projects. The role entails coordinating with various specialists to ensure project excellence, compliance with international standards, and client satisfaction. Candidates should have experience in sports-related projects and skills in design management using software such as Revit and AutoCAD. The position offers a blend of office and on-site work with travel to various locations.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing multidisciplinary design projects.
• Strong understanding of sporting infrastructure and standards.
• Ability to liaise effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Design management

Client engagement

Technical coordination

Sustainable design principles

Education

Degree in Architecture

Experience with Revit/AutoCAD

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Job description

Unique opportunity for a Senior Architect to lead the design and delivery of innovative sports surface and field‑of‑play infrastructure and solutions across global projects.

Working for a world‑leading company, you will have a broad and varied role. 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. Based within STRI's design team, you will be 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.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Lead the design process for major sports surface and infrastructure projects, ensuring alignment with 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 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 design function.

This job will suit a Senior Architect used to developing and managing design (using revit/autocad) is accustomed to operational and project management and enjoys liaising with clients within the sporting world. Previous experience of sports‑related projects and/or large civic landscaping schemes is of most interest. We have lots more info to share so please get in touch with your CV if you’re suitable and interested.

Your expert recruitment consultant is Kieran How, call today on (phone number removed) or email (url removed). Eden Brown is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.