Specialist, Protective Security, FIFA World Cup 2026

Reporting organisationally to the Senior Manager, Protective Security Operations, the Protective Security Specialist will be a key member of the FIFA26, Safety and Security team, and work in close collaboration with the key stakeholders to ensure the safe and secure operations of all events and movements, with a special focus on client group movements, transportation and close protection.  This role will assist in the safety and security protective operational planning and implementation across the 16 FIFA World Cup 2026 (FWC26) cities including Canada, Mexico, and the U.S, and 11 FIFA Club World Cup 2025 (FCWC25) cities within the U.S. and will be responsible for the successful and safe delivery of personal security protocols for all matches. 

This critical role will manage the planning, coordination, and implementation with various policies, procedures and standards for ensuring transparency in scheduling for private contract security, law enforcement and public safety personnel in host and team base camp cities.  This includes all comprehensive safety and security protective security functions at competition and non-competition venues within the FIFA event footprint. Working closely with FIFA counterparts from the Safety & Security Department, tournament wide, this Specialist will be part of a team having oversight and responsibility for the comprehensive understanding of logistics demands, systems and procedures. 

The Protective Security Specialist will communicate, clarify, and troubleshoot procedures for stakeholders serving client groups throughout tournament operations. This will also include interactions with multi-national organizations supporting participating member associations throughout the tournament security footprint for those attending FIFA events and venues. 

The main responsibilities of the Specialist, Protective Security for the FIFA World Cup 26™ include:   

• Serve as an additional liaison with the Local Law Enforcement (LE) agencies and other federal entities for security planning involving close protection for teams and other clients as needed. 
• Develop comprehensive security parameters for contract private security and FIFA hired security that are performing close protection functions and communicate properly with all stakeholders. 
• Ability to work in a team environment, sharing communication and briefing FIFA Security management on matters, issues or obstacles in the interest of security.   
• Ability to learn new programs, extract information, and communicate in a variety of methods on an ongoing basis, ensuring knowledge of protective operations. 
• Working knowledge of training programs aligned with FIFA interest and procedures, and the ability to design, present and implement training programs for private contractors and FIFA functional areas. 
• Provide expertise in communicating requirements to affected functional areas for action and operational adjustments for teams, referees, VVIPs, distinguished guests and other client groups, as needed.  
• Ability to adapt to particularly short notice information and communicate clearly and concisely adjustments to teams and other stakeholders.  
• Proficiency in communicating protective security challenges and probable solutions to internal and external stakeholders. 

Education & Qualifications 

• Associate degree or similar education / experience in security management or policy development, and event management. 

Work Experience 

• Minimum 8 years of experience working and managing in sporting events to be considered a plus.  
• Knowledge of sport event or major event safety and security planning best practices. 
• Extensive knowledge of training programs for close protection. 
• Deep understanding of risk management, crisis response, and emergency preparedness. 
• Proven track-record in building and/or managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders for a high-profile organization. 
• Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills. 
• Experience working in multicultural environments. 

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