Project Director – Sports Facilities Projects & Programs

Company Description

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 75 years of experience delivering program management, project management, cost management, and advisory services to clients across real estate, infrastructure, and natural resources sectors. Operating in the United States and worldwide, we are recognized for working collaboratively with clients to deliver outcomes that matter.

Within the Sports & Major Events sector, Turner & Townsend partners with professional teams, leagues, venue authorities, municipalities, and private developers to deliver stadiums, arenas, training facilities, campus upgrades, renovations, and event‑driven capital programs. Our teams bring deep technical expertise, operational insight, and a thorough understanding of the unique demands of professional sports environments, including live events, broadcast requirements, fan experience, and athlete operations.

Job Description

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.

Key Responsibilities

Client Leadership & Strategic Engagement

• 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.

Program & Project Delivery

• 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.

Technical & Operational Oversight

• 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.

Team Leadership & Management

• 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.

Risk Management, Quality & Issue Resolution

• 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. 

Qualifications

• 20+ years of progressive experience in construction project or program managemen