About the Job
Lead Backend Developer (Laravel/PHP Native)
Hybrid | Deventer or Leeuwarden (NL-based)
Full-time | 5+ years experience
Do you have a passion for code and sports? Ready to take the lead in a fast-paced, data-driven environment? Then you might be the perfect fit for Sportmonks.
We''re looking for a Lead Backend Developer to help build and scale our sports data platform and APIs. Youll take ownership of backend architecture, lead the development team, and deliver reliable, high-performance solutions used by sports clubs, federations, media companies, and global organizations.
Who we are
Fast-growing scale-up based in the Netherlands, founded in 2016
Born from sports passionwe started as a small team of sports enthusiast
Global reach, now trusted by over 70,000 customers worldwide
We provide reliable and comprehensive sports data via APIs for:
Trusted by top-tier brands, including:
What our enthusiastic developers say about Sportmonks
"Ive learned a lot at Sportmonks. Theyve always supported me well, and I enjoy working here." - Milan Weiss
"Sportmonks offers a great environment with a fun team where you feel at welcome in the company immediatelyeven while working remotely." - David Perez
What the ideal candidate looks like
Your team
At Sportmonks, youll become part of a driven team of developers, who love what they do by combining their love for coding and sports. Were serious about writing great code, but just as serious about keeping things fun, relaxed, and collaborative.
The core of our development team is based in the Netherlands, which means plenty of opportunities for in-person collaboration. At the same time, we also work with talented developers across the world so youll be part of an international remote-friendly culture that values flexibility and trust, but requires 100% responsibility .
What can you and your team will do?
As Lead Backend Developer at Sportmonks, your primary focus will be on solving complex technical challenges. You''ll dive deep into backend architecture, real time data processing systems, and scalable solutions that power our APIs and tools. From optimizing performance to designing future-proof infrastructure, youll be hands-on with the core technology that drives our business forward. Youll work primarily with PHP (Laravel) and OOP.
But leading at Sportmonks means more than writing excellent code. Youll also play a key role in guiding the development team, helping to shape priorities, reviewing code, and improving processes. Youll collaborate closely with other developers, product owners, and stakeholders to make sure were building the right things in the right wayand on time.
What we offer
At Sportmonks, we believe in creating the right environment for developers to thrive. That means:
Are you ready to take the lead and build something meaningful in the world of sports data? Wed love to get to know you! Just send us your CV and a short motivation letter to and lets have an informal chat to explore the match.