FIFA World Cup 26 Vancouver Operations Manager

Requisition ID : 41837

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation.

Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities and is working towards being the greenest city in the world.

Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

About FIFA World Cup 26™

FIFA World Cup 26™ will be the biggest sporting event ever, with three Host Countries, 16 Host Cities, 48 teams and 104 matches uniting an entire continent to showcase a momentous new tournament format.

With more countries, cities, teams and games, FIFA World Cup 26™ will be the most inclusive tournament ever, engaging millions of fans across 16 unique stadiums and billions worldwide.

The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026 and Vancouver will host seven matches including two Canada group stage matches and two knockout round matches, in the round of 32 and round of 16.

Main Purpose and Function

This position is responsible for successfully delivering assigned FIFA World Cup 26™ host city obligations and supporting the planning, leadership and oversight of end-to-end operations of the event.

The Operations Manager serves in a leadership position for the City of Vancouver’s internal FIFA World Cup 26 Host City Committee and oversees one or more work streams related to the FIFA World Cup 26 event.

The position manages phases of events including initiation, planning, execution, control and closure. This project is a complex multi year, multi-million dollar initiative involving the delivery of the world’s biggest sporting event.

This position develops and maintains a wide range of business relationships, managing a project team and working with the Host City team, working extensively with external partner organisations including the provincial and federal governments, the Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, and Tsleil-Waututh Nation, a range of other public sector entities, the fifteen other Host Cities in Canada (the City of Toronto), the US, and Mexico, and a large number of for-profit and non-profit organizations and vendors that are or will be affiliated with the planning and delivery of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The role also ensures the City of Vancouver’s objectives and Council priorities are integrated into the planning and delivery of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Vancouver, maximizing the return on social, economic and legacy benefits for the citizens and businesses of Vancouver.

The implementation of this event will involve substantial work addressing complex issues and potential risk impacts for the City which need to be addressed and mitigated.

The Operations Manager is required to provide the FCW26 Host City Committee with objective and comprehensive business and process analysis of the project, staffing and service, and provide recommendations based on the analysis performed.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists the Host City Operations Lead as a lead project manager for event planning and delivery; end-to-end project planning, coordination, implementation, administration of the event, as well as evaluation of short and long-term corporate initiatives related to the event.
• As a lead project manager on the Host City Operations team, manages one or more workstreams and leads progress in the end-to-end planning for and delivery of the FIFA World Cup 26 in Vancouver.
• Deals with highly confidential matters such as intergovernmental relations, intellectual property negotiations, and the contractual agreements between FIFA, external partners, and the City of Vancouver.
• Provides cross-workstream leadership and support, ensuring the Host Committee is executing FIFA requirements and reaching a state of operational readiness.
• Supports the Host City Operations Lead in developing operational staffing plans, developing production schedules, and preparing plans to operationalize the City for event delivery in 2026.
• Develops and implements detailed project plans under the direction of the Host City Operations Lead and recommends policies regarding program-specific requirements and City objectives (i.

e., scope development, budget planning, risk management).

• Plans, prepares and coordinates event logistics and documentation supporting the FIFA World Cup event including site inspections and assessments, site plans, production schedules and technical co-ordination.
• Among others, develops and executes plans for the Host City Volunteer Program (including role identification, training, and volunteer centre), Accreditation Program (including working with FIFA and the ISSU) and Host City Decoration Program including signage, dressing and wayfinding.
• Implements common service standards, strong fiscal management strategies and effective operational plans ensuring exceptional service quality and efficiency.
• Manages event costs to approved budget while following official tracking, reporting and change requests and set out by the Host City team.
• Maintains business relationships with wide range of external partners. Serves as liaison for the City’s relationships with public sector, private sector, non-profit, community and / or academic organisations.
• Develops and maintains strong operational stakeholder relationships with Host City working groups, event planning teams and assorted groups to support the delivery of the tournament objectives outlined by FIFA and the FIFA Canadian Entity
• Supports the overall project delivery team (including PavCo and the Province) to generate significant commercial interest in the FIFA World Cup 26 and look for opportunities to offset costs and expenses.
• Prepares reports, presentations and documents for different stakeholders.
• Represents the City at meetings with coordinating bodies and / or provides support to senior staff representing the City at such meetings.
• Manages project teams to successfully deliver the event. Assigns work to project team members, specifying deliverables, timelines and quality expectations.
• Leading up to and during the Tournament, the role will transition into day-to-day coordination of aspects of Tournament Operations, including any and all aspects related to the resolution of issues.
• Other duties / responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in business or related, and 10+ years of large-scale event planning including at least 8 years of project management experience in increasingly complex projects and in managing teams;

or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Formal training and / or experience in process improvement and analysis is an asset

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• Considerable knowledge of project management methodologies, processes, standards and policies
• Considerable knowledge of event planning and event project management processes
• Familiarity with major league sports or Major International Sporting Events governance and project management methodologies
• Considerable knowledge of Capital Projects, Event Operations, and working with internal and external stakeholders (i.e.

City Divisions, boards and agencies, Senior City Management and City Council) using effective communication techniques and practices

• Considerable knowledge of the development and integration of operational plans
• Ability to contribute to project management and knowledge management initiatives including event debriefs, and knowledge capture and documentation activities
• Ability to apply project management methodologies to projects for successful completion
• Ability to manage large-value procurements and contracts
• Previous experience in dealing with teams
• Ability to write effectively, organize and maintain project documentation, prepare status reports and summaries
• Ability to speak effectively in public through formal and informal meetings an presentations
• Detail oriented, high-energy and high-functioning individual required
• Strategic and solution oriented thinker who understands event interdependencies
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to motivate, engage and inspire staff
• Ability to develop presentations, briefing materials, executive reports (high-level)
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills with the ability to effectively and efficiently prioritize actions in response to numerous and diverse demands
• Ability to develop project schedules and manage milestones and delivery
• Ability to develop and maintain positive, productive relationships at all levels in the organization and external stakeholders
• Team Player, willing and ability to work to tight timelines
• Solution oriented
• Problem solving and conflict resolution skills
• Positive attitude, patience and persistence
• Ability to work under pressure and stress
• Proven track record in managing complex projects, preferably international sports events
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion in handling matters of confidential, proprietary or sensitive nature as they relate to other senior staff, public and personnel matters.
• Ability to work in a highly demanding and fast paced work environment.
• Ability to manage vendors and vendor contracts / Statement of work an asset

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.

At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit / Department : Office of the City Manager (1010)

Affiliation : Senior Exempt

Employment Type : Temporary Full Time

Position Start Date : September, 2024

Position End Date : December, 2026

Salary Information : Pay Grade RNG-111 : $121,960 to $160,467 per year

Application Close : July 7, 2024

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve .

Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion .

Before you click Apply now

Once you start your application you can save your work and leave the applications page, however please remember to submit your profile to the specific job requisition before the posting closing date.

In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx.

5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.