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.
THE POSITION Main Activities And Responsibilities
Reporting organisationally to the Executive Director Safety & Security Canada and working in collaboration with the Protective Security Operations Senior Manager for VIPs & Accreditation, the Protective Security Operations Manager for Canada, will be a key member of the FIFA26 Safety and Security team, and work in close collaboration with the key stakeholders and other individuals responsible for delivering the integrated security operations with various departments, government agencies, and private security details to ensure the safe and secure operations of all events and movements, with a special focus on transportation escorts, personal security of teams, referees, FIFA executives, high-profile individuals and other distinguished guests. This role will lead the safety and security protective planning across the two FIFA World Cup 2026 (FWC26) host cities in Canada and will be responsible for the successful and safe delivery of personal security protocols leading up to every match.
This critical role will manage the planning, coordination, and implementation of all comprehensive safety and security protective security functions at competition and non-competition venues with host cities, as well as integration of non-host cities within the FIFA event footprint. Working closely with FIFA counterparts from the Safety & Security Department tournament wide, this Manager will have oversight of all areas encompassed by Protective Security Operations section across the affiliates in Canada.
The Protective Security Operations Manager for Canada, will integrate protective security protocols with safety and security screening for all of the section’s responsibilities, while contributing to the development of best practices and procedures for incident management. This will also include interactions with multi-national organizations supporting participating member associations throughout the corporate security footprint for those attending FIFA events during this tournament.
The main responsibilities and oversights of the Protective Security Operations Manager for Canada, for the FIFA World Cup 26™ include:
- Serve as the primary point of contact in Canadian cities for Protective Security Operations section, liaising with all FIFA and non-FIFA stakeholders to ensure the export of a consistent and competent messaging.
- Communicate with all Senior Managers, Protective Security Operations, to ensure a consistent and competent approach to coordination of Canadian law enforcement agencies, as appropriate, in support of the Transportation Escorts, VIPs, Team Security Liaison Officers, Referee Security Liaison Officers, Jump Team Officers, and Airspace Security sections.
- Communicate with all Senior Managers, Competition and Non-competition Venues, to ensure the needs of all Protective Security Operations are included in the planning stages by other SEC components, to include but not limited to national team hotels, VIP hotels, and non-stadium areas.
- Assist to coordinate walkthroughs for venue familiarization for FIFA elements, as well as with corporate and host government security representatives, where necessary.
- Develop comprehensive security parameters for private security attending FIFA related events andcommunicate properly throughout the stakeholders.
- Work as a Team Leader/Member in the implementation, coordination and execution of overall security plan for close protection for a multitude of client groups, that include the national teams.
- Develop an open line of communication with FIFA Intelligence section for the benefit of real time planning and implementation of the security parameters to be used in Canada.
- Brief large groups the FIFA team security construct, best practices, and responsible stewardship of resources.
- Travel within Canada, to the US and/or Mexico may be required to reflect the business needs of the department (meetings, workshops, site visits, other Events, etc).
- This role requires you to be onsite 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) at our Toronto Office located in Liberty Village.
- Other duties as required.
FIFA World Cup 26 Skills Framework
ACCOUNTABILITY: Demonstrate commitment to responsibilities and objectively analyze one’s behaviour, 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 break new ground, look for unconventional solutions, and produce fresh ideas.
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 education / experience in safety, security, policy development, and event management.
Work Experience
- Minimum 8 years of experience managing safety and security for large, complex major events, with a focus stadium safety and security operations. FIFA Tournaments and private security management experience to be considered a plus.
- Knowledge of sport event or major event safety and security planning accompanied by best practices.
- Knowledge of private vs publicly protected persons and procedures.
- Experience in intelligence analysis and conforming security protocols accordingly.
- 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.
- Experience working in multicultural environments.
- Experience in the Sports industry is an advantage.
Languages
- Fluent in English, with French proficiency an asset.
Technology
- Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio & Project) and planning software and online collaboration tools
FIFA26 is a proud equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and prohibits discrimination of any kind on the basis race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
