Manager, Business Operations, FIFA World Cup 2026

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 Head of Safety & Security Planning & Administration, the Manager, Business Operations will be a key member of the FIFA26 Safety and Security (SEC) Planning & Administration team. The Manager will collaborate across the FIFA26 Safety and Security team and wider organization to coordinate the delivery of FIFATM Safety and Security planning and operations for all venues (and its respective sites) at the FIFA World Cup 2026™. This role will be central to driving the project management support and execution of all centralized SEC planning functions, collating and coordinating information across FIFA World Cup 2026™ sites, supporting site operational planning and process development, and performing business administration activities, including but not limited to workforce management, contract management, and central reporting. The dynamic nature of this role will require high levels of versatility, communication, and problem-solving skills to effectively perform the responsibilities outlined the planning and tournament time execution phases.  

The main responsibilities and oversights of the Business Operations Manager, Safety & Security for the FIFA World Cup 26™ include:    

• Create, implement, and manage comprehensive processes that support FIFA2026TM Safety and Security projects, ensuring alignment with tournament policies and procedures and industry expertise 
• Support general business administration activities including but not limited to workforce management, contract management, central reporting, project management, presentation development and delivery, and meeting facilitation  
• Manage the lifecycle of SEC dedicated workstreams ensuring cross-functional and organizational collaboration and delivery of projects to meet deadlines 
• Provide project management leadership, support, and training of others through various implementations of SEC tools and systems, particularly building towards streamline project management and communication flow during tournament time operations.  
• Develop and support integrated security documentation into larger FIFA2026™ project team documentation ensuring security is embedded and aligned across overall FIFA26 planning initiatives 
• Create and maintain SEC operational planning and tournament delivery dashboards and prepare project reports and recommendations across field operations, central operations, internal stakeholders, external stakeholders, and partners 
• Assis tin in Recruiting, and own onboarding and training, and managing a small team to execute key operational processes during tournament time. 
• Lead the organization and facilitation of security-related events and workshops to engage FIFA2026™ stakeholders and disseminate key security information.  
• Solve complex operational challenges through a combination of collaboration and independent decision-making ensuring SEC Planning and Administration runs efficiently and is a model of effective communication and documentation.  

Other: 

• Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check. 
• Must be willing to adapt and change to tournament time requirements in support of SEC operations.  
• Must be willing to work long hours and be on call 24/7 during the tournament. 

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 Degree or at least 7 years of experience or educational equivalent in management, project management, business administration or management, sports management or related fields. 

Work Experience

• At least 7 years of demonstrated proficiency in project management principles and delivery of complex and fast-moving projects.  
• At least 5 years of experience in relationship management, international or sports related fields a plus.  
• At least 3 years of experience delivering business administration or operational planning 
• Experience in sport event organization, or safety and security planning a plus. 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects in tandem. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage small teams effectively and efficiently with emotional intelligence and commitment to growing employee’s careers.  
• Demonstrated ability to work in high demand and pressure situations  
• Demonstrated ability to develop creative solutions to challenges emphasizing team strengths

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 and online collaboration tools, Monday.com, IFES, PowerBi, WeTrack.