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Manager, Cross Border Relations

Full time Business & Commercial Leadership & Management

Job Description

At FIFA26, our vision is to unite the world through the greatest sporting event of all time. The FIFA World Cup 26™ will mark the first time that the tournament will feature 48 teams and be hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico and the USA. This new format will redefine excellence, generating unique opportunities for greater participation and engagement among fans and players across North America and all over the world. Now is your time to become a game changer and join the workforce that will plan and deliver this extraordinary and unforgettable experience. 

Reporting organisationally to the Senior Manager, Government Essential Services, the Manager, Cross Border Relations be a key member of the FIFA26 CAN Government Engagement team.  This position will work in close collaboration with government entities at the municipal, provincial, federal and international levels on essential services required to deliver the FIFA World Cup 26TM in the Host Country of Canada. 

THE POSITION

The main responsibilities and oversights of the Manager, Cross Border Relations for the FIFA World Cup 26™ include:   

Focus efforts on CAN/MEX/USA/International relations such as: 
  • Trilaterals  
  • WGs that cross borders (border issues, visa/immigration, etc.) 
  • Embassy and consulate engagement  
  • Manage political partnership interests, such as the development of MOU’s etc.  
  • Protocol experience working with domestic/international delegations and dignitaries  
  • Facilitating meetings and briefings with government officials  
  • Support the delivery of international meetings between FWC26 CAN and the consular and diplomatic offices 
  • Represent FWC26 CAN at international relations and protocol-related meetings and events ex. With embassies, etc.  
  • Lead the planning, design, and delivery of high-profile events in Canada (receptions, etc.) 
  • Work collaboratively across all Functional Areas (ex. Logistics, ticketing, commercialization, visas/immigration, medical, safety and security, guest operations, etc.)  
  • Work in collaboration with Mexico and the US on the establishment of trilaterals to advance FIFA’s collective goals across the three host countries.  
  • Develop an action plan for government engagement/outreach (i.e. Embassies, Government leaders, Elected officials, etc.).  
  • Work closely with our Communications team on development of key messages, impacts, legacy identification, etc.  
  • Support the tracking of political updates/changes, upcoming legislation changes that impact the project, public engagement sentiments, etc.  
  • Strategy planning on MOU’s across the three countries that FIFA wants to highlight  
  • Participate in the ongoing planning sessions/WG’s, and working groups that involve government entities and/or attend National Coordinating Committee meetings  
  • Support the management of cross border logistics to ensure timely delivery of goods, and arrival of people.  
  • Other duties as assigned.  
 
FIFA World Cup 26 Skills Framework

ACCOUNTABILITY: Demonstrate commitment to responsibilities and objectively analyze one’s behaviour, 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 
  • Bachelor’s degree or similar level of higher education. 
Work Experience 
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience working in government relations.  
  • Experience working with government agencies and departments. 
  • Team player willing to pitch in when needed.  
  • Solid time management capabilities. 
  • Experience facilitating communications between different teams.  
  • Strong stakeholder communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.   
  • Understanding of compliance and regulations in CAN-MEX-US (including visa’s, customs, travel, etc.).  
Languages 
  • Fluent in English. French proficiency is a plus 
Technology 
  • Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio & Project) and planning software and online collaboration tools.
FIFA26 is a proud equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and prohibits discrimination of any kind on the basis race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

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.
FIFA
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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