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Senior Manager, Athlete Council and Representation
Group: Athlete Engagement
Reports to: Director, Athlete Engagement
Location: WADA Headquarters, Montreal, Canada
Posting deadline: 2 December 2026
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Senior Manager, Athlete Council and Representation, provides strategic and operational leadership to strengthen the effectiveness of WADA's Athlete Council and support meaningful athlete participation across WADA's governance, advisory and consultative structures.
Working closely with the Director, Athlete Engagement, the role supports the Council's leadership and priorities, facilitates the development and Council-led implementation of its Action Plan, and drives collaboration across WADA to ensure athlete perspectives are meaningfully considered in organizational initiatives and decision-making processes.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
1. Athlete Council Leadership and Effectiveness
- Work closely with the Athlete Council Chair, Vice-Chair and Director, Athlete Engagement to identify and coordinate annual Council priorities and activities, ensuring alignment with the Athlete Council Action Plan, Athlete Engagement objectives and WADA's strategic priorities;
- Oversee the effective functioning of the Athlete Council, including Council and leadership meetings, member onboarding, orientation and briefings, decision and action tracking, and ongoing support to ensure members are prepared and able to fulfill their responsibilities;
- Maintain strong working relationships with Council members and oversee the budget, resources and operational coordination of Council activities, while identifying and escalating relevant issues to the Director.
2. Athlete Council Action Plan Coordination and Support
- Facilitate the Council-led development, review and finalization of the Athlete Council Action Plan, supporting the Chair, Vice-Chair and members in defining priorities, objectives, commitments, timelines and intended outcomes;
- Support implementation of Action Plan priorities by translating commitments into practical activities, clarifying responsibilities, timelines and resource needs, and coordinating collaboration and support across relevant WADA departments;
- Establish and oversee mechanisms to monitor, report on and assess Action Plan implementation and impact, including progress, milestones, deliverables, challenges, lessons learned and emerging priorities, and facilitate adjustments as required.
3. Athlete Participation in WADA Governance and Advisory Structures
- Maintain strategic oversight of athlete representation and participation across WADA committees, expert groups, working groups, advisory bodies and consultations, identifying opportunities to strengthen meaningful and effective athlete contributions;
- Coordinate with relevant WADA departments to clarify roles, expectations and participation requirements, and ensure athlete representatives are appropriately prepared and supported for governance, technical, regulatory and policy discussions;
- Collaborate with WADA's Governance team on athlete-related governance processes, including elections, nominations, appointments, transitions and onboarding, while identifying barriers and recommending improvements to the accessibility and effectiveness of athlete participation.
4. Athlete Engagement Integration and Strategic Coordination
- Under the leadership of the Director, Athlete Engagement, advise and work with WADA departments to identify and facilitate meaningful opportunities for athlete input into organizational initiatives, consultations, policies and strategic projects;
- Serve as a key liaison between Athlete Engagement, the Athlete Council, Governance and other WADA departments, facilitating collaboration, promoting alignment and supporting clear, accessible and athlete-centered communications and reporting;
- Establish effective mechanisms to track and communicate follow-up on athlete input and recommendations, demonstrating how athlete perspectives are considered in WADA initiatives and decision-making, while identifying improvements and escalating significant risks or coordination issues as appropriate.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Required Qualifications and Experience
- University degree in sport management, law, international relations, public administration, communications, political science or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience;
- Minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience in governance support, stakeholder engagement, sport administration, committee coordination or international project management, including supporting senior-level committees, councils, advisory groups or multi-stakeholder initiatives;
- Strong knowledge of the World Anti-Doping Program, including the World Anti-Doping Code, International Standards and relevant anti-doping rules and regulations, combined with a strong understanding of governance, committee processes and organizational decision-making;
- Demonstrated project management and organizational skills, including coordinating strategic initiatives, action plans and cross-functional activities, managing competing priorities, monitoring progress and identifying risks and dependencies;
- Excellent relationship management, interpersonal, facilitation and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to engage effectively with athletes, senior leaders and diverse stakeholders; exercise sound judgment and diplomacy; and communicate complex information in a clear, accessible and athlete-friendly manner;
- Ability for approximately 20% global travel.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working directly with athletes, athlete representatives, athlete councils, commissions or other athlete representative bodies, particularly within international sport or anti-doping environments;
- Experience in international sport, anti-doping, regulatory affairs, public policy or institutional governance, including supporting governance processes such as nominations, appointments, elections, committee membership or representative transitions, and knowledge of WADA's governance structure and athlete representation mechanisms;
- Proficiency in French and/or other languages, in addition to English, particularly for engagement with international athlete representatives and stakeholders;
- Former athlete, passionate about supporting athletes and promoting clean sport;
- Fit with organizational culture: Teamwork, team spirit and love of sport;
- Aligned with WADA core values: Integrity, Collaboration and Excellence.
WHAT WE OFFER
- A Competitive Benefits Package.
