Cleaning & Waste Cluster Manager, FIFA World Cup 2026

The Cleaning & Waste (CLW) Cluster Manager is responsible for the planning, coordination, delivery, and performance management of all cleaning and waste operations across a designated cluster of FIFA World Cup 2026 stadiums and official sites. 
Acting as the primary operational lead and escalation point within their cluster, the role ensures that all Cleaning & Waste services are delivered safely, sustainably, consistently, and to FIFA’s world-class operational and sustainability standards, while maintaining alignment across stadium operators, Host Cities, service providers, and FIFA functional areas. 

The main responsibilities and oversights of the Cleaning & Waste Cluster Manager for the FIFA World Cup 26™ include: 

Cluster Leadership & Governance

• Lead Cleaning & Waste operations across a defined cluster of stadiums and tournament sites (e.g. 3–5 venues). 
• Serve as the single point of accountability for CLW readiness, delivery, and issue resolution within the cluster. 
• Represent Cleaning & Waste in cluster-level operational meetings, readiness reviews, and FIFA governance forums. 
• Ensure consistent implementation of FIFA CLW standards, SOPs, SLAs, and policies across all assigned venues. 

Operational Planning & Readiness

• Oversee the development, validation, and approval of stadium-specific CLW Operational Plans, including: 
  • FOH / BOH cleaning scopes 
  • Waste stream configuration (landfill, recycling, compost, specialty streams) 
  • Waste compound layouts and logistics flows 
  • Staffing models and deployment plans 
  • Event-day cleaning and turnaround strategies 
• Lead test events, simulations, and operational rehearsals, ensuring learnings are embedded into final plans. 
• Monitor readiness milestones and escalate risks or gaps proactively. 

Service Delivery & Event Operations

• Manage Cleaning & Waste operations across all tournament phases: 
  • Build-up and overlay 
  • Tournament operations (matchdays & non-matchdays) 
  • De-installation and demobilisation 
• Coordinate daily operations with Stadium Operations, Venue Management, Security, Logistics, Hospitality (On Location), and Sustainability teams. 
• Ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality cleaning presentation standards across all public, operational, and hospitality spaces. 
• Act as the cluster escalation lead for operational incidents, service failures, or emergency response related to CLW. 

Sustainability & Waste Diversion Performance

• Implement FIFA’s sustainability and circular economy objectives within the cluster. 
• Ensure correct deployment of tri-sorting stations, back-of-house segregation, and material stream integrity. 
• Track and report on key waste KPIs, including: 
  • Waste diversion rates 
  • Contamination levels 
  • Volume by stream 
  • Contractor performance 
• Work closely with Sustainability teams and local authorities to support composting pilots, recycling optimisation, and zero-waste initiatives. 

Stakeholder & Contractor Management

• Manage relationships with: 
• Stadium Cleaning & Waste representatives 
• Host City / LOC partners 
• Cleaning and waste service providers 
• Waste hauliers and material processors 
• Ensure contractors operate in line with FIFA SLAs, H&S standards, accreditation requirements, and code of conduct. 
• Support procurement, onboarding, training, and performance management of service partners within the cluster. 

Budget, Risk & Reporting

• Manage cluster-level CLW budgets, forecasts, and cost controls. 
• Identify, assess, and mitigate operational risks through structured risk matrices and contingency planning. 
• Provide regular reporting to senior CLW leadership covering: 
  • Readiness status 
  • Operational performance 
  • Risks and mitigation actions 
  • Sustainability outcomes 
• Key Interfaces 
• FIFA Infrastructure & Technical Services 
• FIFA Sustainability & Environment 
• Stadium & Venue Management Teams 
• Host City / LOC Operations 
• Hospitality (On Location) 
• Security, Logistics, Broadcast, and Fan Operations 
• Cleaning & Waste Service Providers 

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 do things on one’s own initiative and to influence the course of events, assume responsibilities, and achieve objectives with a minimum of supervision and control.

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 or Master’s Degree preferably in Engineering, Architecture, Information Technology or other domains

 Work Experience

• Minimum 8–10 years’ experience in large-scale Cleaning & Waste or Facilities Operations. 
• Proven delivery experience within major sporting events, mega-events, or multi-venue operations. 
• Strong understanding of waste management systems, cleaning methodologies, and operational logistics. 
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple venues or large operational portfolios simultaneously. 
• Strong stakeholder management and leadership skills in complex, high-pressure environments. 
• Experience working within FIFA, IOC, Olympic Games, World Cups, or comparable global events. 
• Knowledge of sustainability frameworks, waste diversion strategies, and circular economy principles. 
• Experience managing international teams and suppliers across multiple jurisdictions. 

  Languages

• Fluent in English (USA/CAN/MEX) and Spanish (MEX) and French (CAN)

Technology

• Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio & Project) and planning software and online collaboration tools