Manager, Hospitality Operations And Venue Services, 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 Hospitality Operations, the  Hospitality Operations and Venue Services Manager will be a key member of the  FIFA World Cup 2026™ Hospitality Team, and work in close collaboration with the Hospitality Department and other key functional areas and key individuals responsible for providing full support for the successful implementation of Hospitality project. This role will be responsible for supporting the delivery and operations of the FIFA Hospitality Programme in the stadium, establishing and ensuring an effective working relationship between FIFA’s various functional areas, the stadium authorities and staff, and the Official Hospitality Provider (On Location) operational teams. 

The main responsibilities and oversights of the Hospitality Operations and Venue Services Manager for the FIFA World Cup 26™ include:
  

•  Responsible for the management and operational readiness and delivery of the Affiliates and Commercial Hospitality programmes 
•  Ensuring Infrastructure readiness and maintenance services of Hospitality areas, in close cooperation with the FIFA other functional areas,  the Official Hospitality Provider (On Location) and Stadium Authorities 
•  Responsible for the on-site management of  the Official Hospitality Provider (On Location) and their suppliers, and Hospitality Volunteers 
•  Checking and validating the Operational plans from the service-providing departments to Hospitality (Cleaning and Waste, Security, Medical, Signage, Transport, Fan Operations, Accreditation, Power, IT, TV, ticketing, etc.)  
•  Ensuring an excellent service to the FIFA Affiliates on site, overlooking the set-up and readiness of their facilities, monitoring service delivery from the  the Official Hospitality Provider (On Location) from the set-up phase through to match day delivery of services 
•  Ensuring contractual deliverables to the FIFA Commercial Affiliates and to the Official Hospitality Provider (On Location)
•  Overall on-site hospitality guest management 
•  Ensure service consistency throughout the different hospitality programmes across all matches in the venue 
•  Validating all on-site hospitality directional signage 
•  Ensuring Health and Safety regulations are strictly observed and respected by the  Official Hospitality Provider (On Location)
•  Ensuring Hospitality guest numbers are updated and shared with all FIFA stakeholders  
•  Ensuring all stakeholders are appropriately accredited. Manage the distribution of SADs (supplementary access devices) to all relevant functional areas, restricting access to hospitality areas as needed 
•  Ensure the catering service runs as expected in the Affiliates and Commercial Hospitality programmes 
•  Ensure the brand exposure of FIFA Affiliates in Hospitality areas are according to the guidelines and as agreed with FIFA 
•  Handling all hospitality related issues on Match Day 
•  Attend the FIFA Daily Coordination Meeting at the Venue and hold daily Hospitality Team Meetings with the Official Hospitality Provider (On Location) 
•  Reporting on a daily basis to the FIFA HQ, reporting issues in good time 

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 similar level of education in Event Management, Sports Hospitality Management, Project Management, etc.

Work Experience

•  Minimum of 5 (five) years of work experience in stadium hospitality operations or venue management, preferably for major sports or entertainment events.
•  Proven experience with event management, and in particular, stadium operations.
•  Proven experience managing multiple service providers, particularly for Cleaning and Waste services, Security Services, Access control Services, Accreditation, etc.
•  Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
•  Strong customer-service attitude, even when under pressure.
•  Ability to work independently and in a team across simultaneous work streams.
•  Exquisite organizational skills.
•  Ability to lead, coordinate, and motivate a team.

Languages

•  Fluent in English. 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