Manager, Operational Services FWC26
- FIFA
- Miami, FL, USA
- 24 Apr, 2025
Full time
Leadership & Management
Job Description
At FIFA World Cup 2026, our vision is to unite the world through the greatest, most innovative, and inclusive sporting event of all time. The 2026 World Cup will mark the first time that the tournament will be hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This new format redefines excellence, generating unique opportunities for greater participation and engagement from fans and players. Now is your time to be part of the workforce that is creating this unique and unforgettable experience.
THE POSITION
The Operational Services Department, consisting of Guest Operations, Accommodation, Transport, Language Services, Logistics, Travel, and Arrivals and Departures, aims to deliver the most engaging, innovative, and accessible World Cup experience for all athletes, fans, partners, and the community.
Reporting organisationally to the Executive Director Operational Services, the Manager of Operational Services will help serve operations efforts for the FIFA World Cup 2026 that for the first time ever, is hosting 48 teams and 1,200+ players across 3 countries and 16 venues. This role will be responsible for coordinating and maintaining a strategic overview of Operational Services across the FIFA World Cup 2026. Further, this role will oversee the implementation strategy, tools, and operational plans for seamless provision of integrated event services across all of its Functional Areas.
The main responsibilities of the Manager of Operational Services for the FIFA World Cup 2026 include:
Reporting organisationally to the Executive Director Operational Services, the Manager of Operational Services will help serve operations efforts for the FIFA World Cup 2026 that for the first time ever, is hosting 48 teams and 1,200+ players across 3 countries and 16 venues. This role will be responsible for coordinating and maintaining a strategic overview of Operational Services across the FIFA World Cup 2026. Further, this role will oversee the implementation strategy, tools, and operational plans for seamless provision of integrated event services across all of its Functional Areas.
The main responsibilities of the Manager of Operational Services for the FIFA World Cup 2026 include:
- Collaborate with all Functional Areas to ensure operational efficiency and alignment with overall tournament goals.
- Support in the development and implementation of operational strategies and processes to support the delivery of the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
- Coordinate cross-functional activities and facilitate communication between different Functional Areas.
- Ensure alignment with established processes and procedures across all functional areas.
- Create and deliver PowerPoint presentations to stakeholders on operational plans and progress.
- Manage and optimize resource allocation across various operational areas.
- Identify potential operational risks and develop mitigation strategies.
- Defining processes, parameters, KPIs, service levels and requirements in relation to concepts, timelines, policies, responsibilities, and operational workflows
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and prepare regular reports on operational performance.
- Lead and motivate operational staff, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
- Ensure compliance with FIFA regulations, local laws, and international standards across all operational activities.
- Oversee the implementation of technology solutions to enhance operational efficiency.
- Defining the project plan and timelines, keeping the project within the defined objectives, ensuring
- Drafting accurate and timely progress reports for the Executive Director Operational Services
- Management and use of project management tools (e.g. Monday.com) to improve team communication and file sharing capabilities
- Responsible for a successful transfer of knowledge and debriefing by following the set organizational guidelines.
The nature of this role requires adaptability and openness to changing responsibilities as the needs of the organization evolve.
YOUR PROFILE
ACCOUNTABILITY: Demonstrate commitment to responsibilities and objectively analyze one’s behavior, while assuming consequences of one’s own actions and/or decisions and learning from one’s mistakes.
DECISION MAKING: Ability to identify and swiftly make decisions in critical situations, take initiative and calculated risks, explore alternative solutions, and respond promptly to unforeseen circumstances.
INCLUSIVITY: Achieve shared organizational objectives by sharing information with colleagues across all levels and divisions, tangibly influencing others, and maintaining a network of support contacts.
INITIATIVE: Capacity to break new ground, look for unconventional solutions, and produce fresh ideas.
INNOVATION: Capacity to break new ground, look for unconventional solutions, and produce fresh ideas.
LEADERSHIP: Ability to lead one’s contacts/colleagues/partners, encourage teamwork, and delegate authority / decision-making power, as needed, to produce the expected results and make efficient use of the team’s skills and talents.
VISION: Ability to perceive the organization's global environmental impact, anticipate decision consequences, grasp organizational missions, and formulate strategic plans.
Education & Qualifications
DECISION MAKING: Ability to identify and swiftly make decisions in critical situations, take initiative and calculated risks, explore alternative solutions, and respond promptly to unforeseen circumstances.
INCLUSIVITY: Achieve shared organizational objectives by sharing information with colleagues across all levels and divisions, tangibly influencing others, and maintaining a network of support contacts.
INITIATIVE: Capacity to break new ground, look for unconventional solutions, and produce fresh ideas.
INNOVATION: Capacity to break new ground, look for unconventional solutions, and produce fresh ideas.
LEADERSHIP: Ability to lead one’s contacts/colleagues/partners, encourage teamwork, and delegate authority / decision-making power, as needed, to produce the expected results and make efficient use of the team’s skills and talents.
VISION: Ability to perceive the organization's global environmental impact, anticipate decision consequences, grasp organizational missions, and formulate strategic plans.
Education & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (business administration, management, leadership, entrepreneurship)
- Postgraduate Education focusing on International Organizations or Sport Management preferred, but not required
- Willingness to work outside core working hours (online workshops accommodating different time zones)
- Willingness to travel
Work Experience
- 5-7 years experience in planning and leading in a event-related service environment (preferably sports events)
- Exceptional attention to detail and ability to consistently deliver at a high standard
- Outstanding analytical and interpersonal skills
- Advanced skills in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio & Project)
- A collaborator who is able to foster good working relationships;
- Excellent organisational and planning skills;
- Good networking skills;
- Time management and the ability to prioritize a varied workload;
- Sound judgment with the capacity to utilize problem-solving skills
- Be able to cope in an international, demanding and rapidly changing environment
- Be able to adapt and work well with people of other cultures and backgrounds
Languages
- Fluent in English (written and spoken)
- Spanish and/or French proficiency is a plus
Technology
- Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio & Project) and planning software including Monday.com and online collaboration tools
About FWC2026
The FIFA World Cup 26™ will mark the first time that the tournament features 48 teams and will be hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
This new format redefines excellence, generating unique opportunities for greater participation and engagement from fans and players in North America and all over the world. Now is your time to be a game changer and join the workforce that is planning and delivering this unique and unforgettable experience.
This new format redefines excellence, generating unique opportunities for greater participation and engagement from fans and players in North America and all over the world. Now is your time to be a game changer and join the workforce that is planning and delivering this unique and unforgettable experience.
About FIFA
Founded in 1904, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is the umbrella organisation of its members, currently 211 national football associations. Its main objectives, enshrined in its statutes, are to develop football around the world, to stage international competitions and to protect the integrity of football (against match manipulation, doping etc.).
FIFA is a truly diverse, modern and multicultural organisation and its primary purpose is to promote football. Over 800 people from 50 nations – 40 per cent of which are women, including the Secretary General – covering a wide variety of professional profiles, work to fulfil that purpose. FIFA’s headquarters are based in Zurich, Switzerland. We have other offices in Zurich, as well as temporary offices around the world.
We are 'living football' – we are committed to the game, to the people, to the planet and to the future. It is what we do. It is why we are here.
Our culture is shaped by fair play, team spirit, diversity, sustainability, transparency and innovation. We live by these values. Regardless of race, religion, national origin, colour, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or citizenship – we support diversity; indeed, we consider it to be key to our success.
We are looking for talented and motivated team members who would embrace these values every day, with purpose, passion and pride, in order to make a positive impact on the world of football and beyond.
We offer a unique and exciting work environment with great opportunities for your personal and professional development.
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