Manager, Transport Client Services - Referees, FIFA World Cup 2026
- FIFA
- Miami, FL, USA
- 27 Feb, 2025
Full time
Leadership & Management
Logistics
Job Description
The Manager, Transport Client Services - Referees will be dedicated to the planning of the FIFA Refereeing Teams’ transport and, arrivals and departures services and will be responsible for the delivery of the related tournament specific Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
Reporting organisationally to the Senior Manager, Transport Client Services, the Manager, Transport Client Services - Referees will be a key member of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 (FCWC25) and FIFA26 Event Transport team, and work in close collaboration with the Bus, Fleet, Arrivals and Departures (A&D), and Venue Transportation Operations to plan the transport and A&D services required before, during and after the tournaments to ensure that all referees receive the correct services in accordance with FIFA’s service standards to ensure a smooth participation at the FCWC and FWC tournaments. This includes on match days and non- match days at all official sites including stadiums, referee base camp hotels, the airport and other official sites.
They will be responsible to ensure all referee related transport information and other related documents, communications, presentations and electronic (web based) information are delivered.
The Manager, Transport Client Services - Referees will act as Event Transport’s central point of contact for the external clients (referees) and internal clients (FIFA/FWC26 functional areas) as it relates to the identification and confirmation of the clients’ required transport services.
Reporting organisationally to the Senior Manager, Transport Client Services, the Manager, Transport Client Services - Referees will be a key member of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 (FCWC25) and FIFA26 Event Transport team, and work in close collaboration with the Bus, Fleet, Arrivals and Departures (A&D), and Venue Transportation Operations to plan the transport and A&D services required before, during and after the tournaments to ensure that all referees receive the correct services in accordance with FIFA’s service standards to ensure a smooth participation at the FCWC and FWC tournaments. This includes on match days and non- match days at all official sites including stadiums, referee base camp hotels, the airport and other official sites.
They will be responsible to ensure all referee related transport information and other related documents, communications, presentations and electronic (web based) information are delivered.
The Manager, Transport Client Services - Referees will act as Event Transport’s central point of contact for the external clients (referees) and internal clients (FIFA/FWC26 functional areas) as it relates to the identification and confirmation of the clients’ required transport services.
THE POSITION
The main responsibilities and oversights of the Manager, Transport Client Services - Referees for FCWC25 / FIFA World Cup 26™ include:
Responsibilities pre-tournament time
• Developing the ‘Principle Transport Service Level Agreement (PSLA) – FIFA Referees’ and ‘Detailed Transport Service Level Agreement (DSLA)’ based on the approved PSLA.
• Planning of all FWC26 FIFA Referees Base Camp and host city transport services, including all ground transportation, and arrivals and departures services.
• Liaising with Bus and Fleet management functional areas for the allocation of the correct vehicles and drivers as required.
• Liaising with other FWC26 event transport functional areas to ensure procurement of all additional resources and related transport services (e.g. FF&E, IT, VAPPs, etc.).
• Review planning of transport services on a regular basis to ensure they are fit for purpose and adapt to any local changes in tournament planning.
• Support in the planning of all ground transport operations at all sites attended by FIFA Referees (stadiums, official hotels and other non-competition sites) ensuring access, load zones and parking meet the required service levels.
• Briefing of referees’ transport operations to all staff and stakeholders involved, and ensuring that all requirements are understood, integrated and implemented accordingly.
• Planning of all referee transport desks at hotels, and stadium referee areas and other sites as required, including developing transport desk operating plans and related policies and procedures to ensure the efficient running of the desks.
• Developing a comprehensive training module to ensure all referee transport staff and volunteers are trained correctly and are well prepared and informed for tournament operations.
• Liaising with Team Services functional area to provide any transport information and transport content into published material that may be required to ensure referee transport services are communicated correctly to the clients.
• Assist with the planning and operational delivery of FIFA client transport and A&D services for all events prior to the FWC 2026.
• Assist with other FIFA client’s (Teams, Guests, Media/Broadcast, Workforce) transport service planning as required during the planning phase including the development of the PSLAs and DSLAs as required.
• Support the transport team with other client services related tasks as required.
Responsibilities tournament time
• Being the main contact person for Team Services functional area in respect of FIFA Referees’ transport services, requests and queries at tournament time.
• Supporting the Arrivals and Departures functional area to manage all arrivals and departures for referees, ensuring correct service levels are delivered including immigration, baggage and airport transport services.
• Monitoring closely and checking all FIFA Referees’ ground transport requests and planned services in the Integrated Football and Event System (IFES) Ground Transport Module (GTM), to ensure referees will be transported to correct sites at agreed scheduled times.
• Check ground transport requests related to international arrivals and departures in IFES and group passengers with similar destinations and timings based on the required service level.
• Briefing and coordinating all transport staff involved in referee transport operations at the official Referee Base Camp Hotel and other sites as required to ensure accurate procedures are in place.
• Respond to and resolve any issues efficiently and effectively that occur during the tournament working with transport colleagues and other functional areas as required.
• Manage other teams transport coordinators and staff as required.
• Any others duties that may be required.
Responsibilities pre-tournament time
• Developing the ‘Principle Transport Service Level Agreement (PSLA) – FIFA Referees’ and ‘Detailed Transport Service Level Agreement (DSLA)’ based on the approved PSLA.
• Planning of all FWC26 FIFA Referees Base Camp and host city transport services, including all ground transportation, and arrivals and departures services.
• Liaising with Bus and Fleet management functional areas for the allocation of the correct vehicles and drivers as required.
• Liaising with other FWC26 event transport functional areas to ensure procurement of all additional resources and related transport services (e.g. FF&E, IT, VAPPs, etc.).
• Review planning of transport services on a regular basis to ensure they are fit for purpose and adapt to any local changes in tournament planning.
• Support in the planning of all ground transport operations at all sites attended by FIFA Referees (stadiums, official hotels and other non-competition sites) ensuring access, load zones and parking meet the required service levels.
• Briefing of referees’ transport operations to all staff and stakeholders involved, and ensuring that all requirements are understood, integrated and implemented accordingly.
• Planning of all referee transport desks at hotels, and stadium referee areas and other sites as required, including developing transport desk operating plans and related policies and procedures to ensure the efficient running of the desks.
• Developing a comprehensive training module to ensure all referee transport staff and volunteers are trained correctly and are well prepared and informed for tournament operations.
• Liaising with Team Services functional area to provide any transport information and transport content into published material that may be required to ensure referee transport services are communicated correctly to the clients.
• Assist with the planning and operational delivery of FIFA client transport and A&D services for all events prior to the FWC 2026.
• Assist with other FIFA client’s (Teams, Guests, Media/Broadcast, Workforce) transport service planning as required during the planning phase including the development of the PSLAs and DSLAs as required.
• Support the transport team with other client services related tasks as required.
Responsibilities tournament time
• Being the main contact person for Team Services functional area in respect of FIFA Referees’ transport services, requests and queries at tournament time.
• Supporting the Arrivals and Departures functional area to manage all arrivals and departures for referees, ensuring correct service levels are delivered including immigration, baggage and airport transport services.
• Monitoring closely and checking all FIFA Referees’ ground transport requests and planned services in the Integrated Football and Event System (IFES) Ground Transport Module (GTM), to ensure referees will be transported to correct sites at agreed scheduled times.
• Check ground transport requests related to international arrivals and departures in IFES and group passengers with similar destinations and timings based on the required service level.
• Briefing and coordinating all transport staff involved in referee transport operations at the official Referee Base Camp Hotel and other sites as required to ensure accurate procedures are in place.
• Respond to and resolve any issues efficiently and effectively that occur during the tournament working with transport colleagues and other functional areas as required.
• Manage other teams transport coordinators and staff as required.
• Any others duties that may be required.
YOUR PROFILE
- Bachelor’s Degree in Transport, Civil Engineering, Project management, Event Management, Major Sport events or a combination of education and experience relating to position.
- Minimum of five (5) years transport work experience: preferably within the major football or sport event, or three (3) years of experience as a Client Transport Manager or similar role; ideally more than one world class sport event (e.g. FIFA World Cup and / or Olympic Games, regional football tournaments, etc.).
- Experience of working with referees or similar client group with a good understanding of their needs and requirements and the criticality of ensuring the transport services operate seamlessly.
- Experience working in multi-functional event organisations and in dynamic and fast paced environments.
- Experience of event transport planning including bus/fleet/venue transport/A&D operations.
- Experience leading a team and proven project delivery experience.
- Strong interpersonal skills essential. An ability to work effectively as part of an existing team and communicate effectively with both internal and external parties.
- Ability to operate in a dynamic working environment, handling multiple tasks and deadlines and adapting to the developing needs and demands of the organisation.
- Strong ability to build working relationships with other departments with robust communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
- Excellent project management skills with an ability to prioritise tasks and co-ordinate activities.
- Detail orientated and solution focused.
- Excellent written English skills with relevant skills to produce quality, high-standard documents.
- Good knowledge of administration and management principles.
- Ability to prioritise client’s needs, authority requirements and FIFA regulations.
- Highly collaborative and a team player.
- Ability to work well under pressure and adapt appropriately in a calm and professional manner.
- Flexibility when faced with ambiguity or constant change.
- Positive attitude, patience, and persistence.
- Inter-cultural competence and sensitivity.
- Displays the highest levels of integrity and commitment.
- Fluent in English. Spanish and/or French proficiency is a plus.
- Strong IT Skills; proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio & Project) and planning software 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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