Airport Deputy Manager, FIFA World Cup 26™ | Guadalajara (GDL)

Department: Tournament Time Role | SP

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Guadalajara

Description

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.

FIFA World Cup 26 Skills Framework

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.

Main Activities and Responsibilities

Reporting organisationally to the Airport manager, the Deputy Manager will be a key member of the FIFA26 Operational Services team and will work in close collaboration with the FIFA Transport team and other key individuals responsible for supporting the Airport Manager in overseeing all day-to-day airport operations, ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance with aviation regulations and FIFA client service levels. This role acts as a second-in-command, providing leadership across multiple functional areas, including airside and landside operations, terminal management, customer service, and emergency response coordination.

The main responsibilities and oversights of the Deputy Airport Manager for the FIFA World Cup 26™ include:

Support and deputize for the Arrivals & Departures Teams Manager, ensuring continuity of leadership and operational decision-making.
Lead, train, and motivate a diverse team of paid staff and volunteers to deliver exceptional airport services in line with FIFA World Cup 2026 standards.
Oversee daily and shift briefings to align team performance, ensure service consistency, and address operational challenges during extended hours.
Manage all operational aspects of arrivals and departures, ensuring alignment with governance structures and coordination with airport stakeholders.
Develop and maintain effective relationships with airlines, airport authorities, transport providers, and FIFA functional areas to facilitate seamless client movements.
Direct service planning and delivery for all FIFA constituent groups, ensuring compliance with defined service levels (DSLAs) and tournament objectives.
Coordinate with transport providers across multiple modes—including bus, fleet, and public transport—to ensure efficient passenger flow and timely connections.
Oversee the integration of arrivals and departures operations with other FWC2026 functional areas at venue and site level, including stadiums and non-competition locations.
Lead preparation and delivery of client-facing materials, including transport guides, operational updates, and presentations for key stakeholder meetings.
Ensure readiness and excellence in service delivery for all pre-tournament test events and operational simulations.
Foster a proactive, collaborative, and safety-focused team culture capable of performing under pressure and meeting tight deadlines.

Your Profile

Education & Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Event Management, Major Sports Events, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience may be considered.
A master’s degree in a related discipline is considered an asset.
Proven experience in large-scale event operations, airport management, or logistics coordination within a complex stakeholder environment preferred.
Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills with the ability to perform under pressure and meet strict deadlines.

Work Experience

Minimum of 3 years of airport transport operations experience, ideally within major sports, football, or event environments.
Proven track record in international mega-event operations, preferably across multiple world-class tournaments (e.g., FIFA World Cup, Olympic Games, or regional championships).
Demonstrated success working in multi-functional, fast-paced event organizations, managing complex logistics and tight timelines.
Experienced in team leadership, project delivery, and coordinating large-scale operations.
Skilled in building and maintaining partnerships with public and private sector stakeholders in collaborative environments.
Strong understanding of airport transport operations, service flow, and event-specific service levels.
Proficient in administration, planning, and project management principles.
Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and presentation abilities.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities under pressure.
Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills, with the ability to motivate diverse teams toward common goals.
Adaptive thinker able to balance client needs, authority requirements, and FIFA standards.
Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively within corporate and project-based structures.
Demonstrates flexibility, resilience, and professionalism in dynamic or changing 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

Equal Opportunities

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.

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Airport Deputy Manager, FIFA World Cup 26™ | Guadalajara (GDL)