Team Lead Production Design
About the job
- Strong track record designing physical spaces for live events, exhibitions, or similar, from concept through to build.
- Expertise in the Adobe Suite and in 3D and computer-aided design (CAD) tools used for spaces and renders.
- Ability to produce drawings and specifications that suppliers can build from.
- Ability to present confidently to senior stakeholders and handle competing opinions.
- Experience leading or informally guiding other designers, or readiness to do so.
- Comfort with project management tools and fixed event deadlines.
- Experience with broadcast or studio set design.
- Experience working with builders and suppliers across countries.
- Own the design side of built spaces across Web Summit Lisbon, Qatar, Rio, and Vancouver, including lounges, partner booths, media and creator spaces, studios, press backdrops, and broadcast sets.
- Take spaces from brief through concept, renders, drawings, and material direction, then work with production, procurement, and suppliers to ensure the built result matches the design.
- Set priorities, allocate work, review output, and mentor the team; own the quality bar for everything the team ships.
- Act as the design counterpart to event producers and production, flagging when layout, budget, or timing changes make earlier designs outdated.
- Present designs to senior stakeholders and partners, respond to feedback, and decide what to change and what to retain.
- Keep built environments consistent with the Web Summit brand and each event's direction, and decide how that direction translates into three dimensions.
- Work with the Creative Project Manager to track work in flight, effort against estimates, and team capacity; raise capacity problems before they become deadline problems.
- Fluency in Portuguese and English is highly desirable.
About the company
Web Summit runs large technology conferences worldwide, connecting tech companies, investors, media, and founders. Its flagship event is in Lisbon, with other conferences like Collision in North America and RISE in Asia, plus regional summits. Revenue comes from ticket sales, startup programs (ALPHA and BETA), and partnerships with major firms, while the company uses its own software to tailor recommendations and networking for attendees. The goal is to help people meet, form deals, and learn about new technology trends across a global community, while maintaining a sustainable, profitable event business.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Dublin, Ireland
Founded
2009
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Web Summit Qatar 2026 sold out, signaling demand resilience across markets.
- Web Summit Rio 2026 hit 40,287 attendees and 1,572 startups, a new record.
- The 2026 Lisbon event launched with returning partners, including Replit, LinkedIn, Revolut, and IBM.
What critics are saying
- High Court suits from Simonetta Lein in April 2026 and Hickey deepen distraction.
- A 2023 anti-Israel backlash already forced sponsor and speaker withdrawals; repeats destroy credibility.
- One founder controversy can trigger mass partner exits, threatening Web Summit's entire event franchise.
What makes Websummit unique
- Web Summit still fills Lisbon's MEO Arena, drawing 70,000-plus attendees in 2026.
- Its startup-investor density remains unmatched, with 1,600 startups and 900 investors in Doha.
- Paddy Cosgrave's founder-led brand still centralizes global speaker magnetism and media attention.
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Benefits
- Hybrid Work Options
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Professional Development Budget
- Unlimited Paid Time Off
- Wellness Program