Project Director – Sports Facilities Projects & Programs

Turner & Townsend • Kansas City, MO

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Turner & Townsend is seeking a Project Director with extensive professional sports experience to lead complex, high‑profile sports facility projects and programs in Kansas City and the broader South Central region. This role has full accountability for project delivery while serving as a senior client leader and trusted advisor to sports organizations and public‑sector partners. The Project Director will lead multidisciplinary teams delivering projects from ground-up facilities to active, occupied venues and tight, non‑negotiable event schedules. Success in this role requires strong executive presence, the ability to manage multiple stakeholders with competing priorities, and deep familiarity with professional sports operations.

Requirements

• 20+ years of progressive experience in construction project or program management, with significant experience in professional sports venues, stadiums, arenas, or large public‑assembly facilities.
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Proven success delivering high‑visibility, event‑driven projects with fixed deadlines.
• Strong understanding of professional sports venue systems, operations, and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated financial expertise in budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and change management.
• Experience working directly with team ownership, senior executives, municipalities, and league officials.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, MS Project, Bluebeam, and project management platforms.

Nice To Haves

• Existing relationships within the professional sports design and construction sector are strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior‑level point of contact for professional sports clients, including team ownership, executive leadership, venue operators, league representatives, and public agencies.
• Build and sustain long‑term client relationships that drive repeat work across capital programs and venues.
• Provide strategic oversight and advisory support related to capital planning, phasing, operational impacts, and event readiness.
• Support business development activities, including pursuits, client presentations, and market engagement within the Kansas City sports market.
• Lead all phases of sports capital projects, including predesign, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and close‑out.
• Oversee projects delivered in active stadiums, arenas, and training facilities, coordinating around game schedules, league calendars, and broadcast windows.
• Establish project governance structures, execution plans, budgets, schedules, and reporting frameworks.
• Direct delivery using methods commonly employed in professional sports facilities, including CMAR, Design‑Build, and GMP.
• Guide project teams in addressing professional sports‑specific requirements such as: Stadium and arena renovations and expansions, Premium seating, suites, clubs, and sponsorship spaces, Broadcast, AV, IT, and league technology standards, Player performance, training, locker rooms, and medical spaces, ADA compliance, life‑safety, security, and public‑assembly codes.
• Ensure construction phasing maintains operational continuity and protects the fan, athlete, and staff experience.
• Review and approve contracts, GMP packages, change orders, pay applications, and cost forecasts.
• Lead, mentor, and develop Project Managers and support staff.
• Coordinate architects, engineers, contractors, specialty consultants, technology vendors, and venue operations teams.
• Ensure consistent communication, documentation, and reporting across all internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to schedule, cost, safety, and event impacts.
• Resolve issues arising from RFIs, field conditions, design coordination, or operational conflicts before they impact events.
• Ensure adherence to Turner & Townsend quality, safety, and performance standards.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Benefits

• We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.
• We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior