Volunteer Manager- Vancouver

Application Deadline: 16 July 2025

Department: Tournament and Venue Operations

Employment Type: Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: Vancouver

Compensation: $145,000 - $170,000 / year

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.

THE POSITION

Main activities and responsibilities

Volunteers are at the heart of all FIFA events, impacting all that experience the Tournaments, and represents a critical component to the successful delivery of the FIFA World Cup 26™ . As football unites the world, the FIFA World Cup 26 Volunteer Program provides a unique opportunity to unite and connect with individuals and communities across North America. Like in all FIFA tournaments, volunteers will become the "face" of the FIFA World Cup 26™ enhancing the profile, reputation and appeal of football, FIFA, and Host Cities on a global stage. The Volunteer Program will be a driver to help achieve strategic tournament objectives alongside acting as a vehicle for positive social change, by helping strengthen social connections, increase in civic pride, employment & skills, and creating a movement to sustain and grow volunteering across Host Cities.

Reporting organizationally to FIFA Canada's Senior Manager Volunteer Program, the Volunteer Manager - Vancouver will help serve Volunteer efforts for the FIFA World Cup 26™ that for the first time ever, is hosting 48 teams and 1,200+ players across 3 countries and 16 cities.

This role will be responsible for supporting larger national Volunteer Program objectives and driving the end-to-end volunteer journey at a Host City level in Vancouver, with a planning and operational focus on engagement, recruitment, training, scheduling and Tournament delivery phases alongside the overarching management of the volunteer experience. The successful candidate will work in close collaboration with the wider FWC26 Volunteer Team, as well as associated partners and stakeholders, including the Vancouver Host City Committee, ensuring a coordinated integrated approach and overall program effectiveness.

The main responsibilities of the Volunteer Manager - Vancouver include:

• Volunteer Program Development & Execution: Support on delivering a national Volunteer Program, while working with the Host Cities to develop and implement the local engagement, recruitment, training, and operational delivery plans for Vancouver's Volunteer Program consisting of Host City and FIFA volunteers that will be supporting FIFA World Cup 26™. Ensure alignment with the broader event strategy and goals.
• Support Execution of Marketing & Communications Plans: Assist in the execution of Volunteer related marketing and communications plans for the Host Country and liaising with Host Cities to align and enhance with their grassroots initiatives. Work closely with the Senior Manager to implement FIFA Canada's volunteer recruitment and community engagement strategy.
• Stakeholder Liaison & Coordination: Liaise with local stakeholders in coordination with Host City leads to support in the implementation and execution of the Volunteer Program.
• Internal Collaboration: Collaborate with various FIFA Functional Areas and external stakeholders to understand their specific city volunteer needs and provide appropriate support and resources accordingly.
• Centralized Volunteer Projects: In close collaboration with the Volunteer Team, support centralized projects which impact all volunteers across the Tournament footprints.
• Volunteer Centre Operations: In coordination with Host City Committee, lead the operation of the city volunteer centre for: recruitment, training, uniform and accreditation, and tournament time requirements.
• Volunteer Training Development & Delivery: Develop and implement comprehensive plans for the delivery of training for volunteers to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their assigned tasks effectively.
• Volunteer Management Platform Proficiency: Become proficient in the use of FIFA's Volunteer Management Platform to help manage and support the volunteer experience including availability, preferences, assigned role, communication, scheduling.
• Volunteer Appreciation & Recognition: Plan and execute the city volunteer appreciation initiatives, recognizing their efforts and dedication throughout the FIFA World Cup 26™.
• Issue Resolution & Conflict Management: Manage and resolve any specific city volunteer-related issues (Host City and FIFA volunteers) or conflicts in a timely and professional manner, fostering a positive and inclusive volunteering environment.
• Data Analysis & Continuous Improvement: Analyse data and metrics related to the specific city volunteer performance, feedback, and attendance to identify trends and areas for improvement. Implement continuous improvement strategies based on data analysis and feedback to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Volunteer Program in their specific city.
• Tournament Experience Oversight: Responsible for overseeing the workforce and volunteer experience across both competition and non-competition venues, including daily operations, issue resolution, support for functional areas, and overall volunteer wellbeing. Manages the FIFA Volunteer Platform and volunteer centres. Also supports volunteer involvement in rehearsals, test events, the tournament draw, and any additional events or qualifiers that may arise.
• Additional Volunteer Support Coordination: In coordination with the relevant Functional Areas, liaise with external organizations or city supporters to coordinate additional volunteer support if required for specific events or activities during the tournament.
• Compliance and Reporting: Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and policies related to volunteer management and event operations in their specific city. Prepare regular reports and presentations for management and stakeholders, providing insights and updates on the specific city Volunteer Program's progress and performance.
• Other duties as assigned.
• 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).

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 level of education.

Work Experience

• Proven experience and knowledge in sports, events, volunteer management, marketing, communication, community engagement or project management
• Ability to create, engage and foster productive working relationships with local authorities, internal and external stakeholders and volunteer groups
• Ability to meet deadlines and is a problem solver
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written
• Team player, able to work under pressure
• Positive attitude, patience, and persistence
• Flexible, adaptable and able to respond to changing and conflicting requirements and priorities
• Ability to work both independently and in a dynamic, cross functional team structure

Languages

• Fluent in English. French proficiency is a plus.

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, colour, 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.