Senior Manager - Design Management (Sports Assets) (SPA303)

The Senior Manager - Technical Design Management will lead and oversee the technical design development of major sports infrastructure assets including stadiums, multipurpose arenas, elite performance centres, training facilities, and associated sports-related developments.

The role acts as the technical authority throughout the design lifecycle, ensuring all sports assets achieve the highest standards of architectural, engineering, operational and sporting excellence while meeting project objectives relating to quality, programme, cost, sustainability and future operational performance.

Working closely with Development, Delivery, Asset Management, specialist sports consultants, governing bodies and Lead Design Consultants (LDCs), the role will ensure that designs are fully coordinated, compliant with international sports standards, and capable of delivering world-class athlete and spectator experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Design Leadership

• Lead multidisciplinary technical design management activities across stadiums, arenas, training facilities and sports complexes.
• Provide technical oversight of architectural, structural, civil, MEP, sports systems and specialist consultant deliverables.
• Ensure design solutions align with project objectives, operational requirements, asset strategies and business case expectations.
• Act as the primary technical interface between development teams, consultants, contractors and operators.
• Drive design excellence across all project stages from concept through detailed design and construction support.

Design Management & Coordination

• Manage and coordinate Lead Design Consultants and specialist designers throughout the project lifecycle.
• Chair and lead technical design workshops, design reviews and coordination meetings.
• Ensure integration between architecture, structure, MEP, technology, security, crowd management, sports operations and venue-specific systems.
• Monitor consultant performance against contractual obligations, deliverables and programme milestones.
• Establish clear design governance processes and reporting mechanisms.

Sports Venue Expertise

• Ensure designs comply with requirements of FIFA, AFC, IOC, FIBA, World Athletics and other relevant international sports federations.
• Review venue planning, spectator circulation, hospitality, player facilities, broadcast requirements and operational infrastructure.
• Support the development of design briefs and technical requirements for sports assets.
• Provide subject matter expertise relating to sports venue planning, operations and major event readiness.
• Review and challenge design proposals to maximise functionality, operational efficiency and fan experience.

Technical Review & Assurance

• Lead technical reviews of design submissions, drawings, reports, BIM models and specifications.
• Ensure designs meet all relevant codes, regulations, accessibility requirements and life-safety standards.
• Implement quality assurance processes to maintain consistency and compliance throughout design development.
• Identify design risks and coordinate mitigation strategies.
• Review value engineering proposals without compromising operational functionality or design intent.

Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with Development, Delivery, Commercial, Asset Management and Operations teams.
• Engage with governing bodies, operators, end users and specialist sports consultants.
• Present technical recommendations and project updates to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Support alignment between project objectives and long-term operational requirements.

Construction & Delivery Support

• Provide technical support during procurement, tender evaluation and contractor appointment processes.
• Review contractor design submissions during Design & Build stages where applicable.
• Support site teams with technical issue resolution and design clarifications.
• Participate in inspections, testing, commissioning and handover activities.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Architecture
• Chartered or professionally accredited status preferred (RIBA, ARB, ICE, IStructE, PMI, CIOB or equivalent).

Experience

• At least 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience delivering large-scale sports and entertainment venues.
• Proven track record working on stadiums, arenas, elite training centres, sports complexes or major public assembly buildings.
• Experience within both client-side and PMC or Tier-1 conrtractors
• Experience managing international design teams and multidisciplinary consultants.
• Major Project experience in the Middle East is highly desirable.
• Exposure to FIFA World Cup, Olympic Games, AFC, Formula 1 or equivalent major sporting infrastructure programmes would be advantageous