Ceremonies Production Integration - FIFA World Cup 26 | Philadelphia

Ceremonies Production Integration - FIFA World Cup 26™ | Philadelphia

Department: Tournament Time Role | SP

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Philadelphia

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

The Ceremonies Production Integration role is a key position within the FIFA World Cup 26™ Events & Entertainment Team (EET), consolidating the responsibilities of Production Manager, Senior Operations Manager, Senior Show Delivery Manager, Senior Scenic & Systems Manager, Operations Manager, Site Manager, and Production Support roles across 4th of July ceremonies programs.


This role supports the full lifecycle of ceremonies - from concept development and technical/production planning, through rehearsals, live show delivery, site and back-of-house operations, and legacy handover. It ensures that all ceremonies-related production, staging, scenic, systems, site operations, and logistics are delivered on time, safely, efficiently, and in alignment with FIFA's creative vision, operational standards, and safety policies.

The position works in close collaboration with EET internal departments, Event Management Companies (EMCs), stadium management, Logistics, Venue Management, Broadcast, Marketing, IT, Security, Accreditation, Workforce & Volunteers, and other FIFA World Cup 26™ Functional Areas (FAs). The role also plays a central part in managing documentation, project plans, production schedules, call sheets, reports, creative assets, and operational data to support a seamless ceremony delivery.

This is a high-intensity, live-event operations role requiring strong project management, show delivery, technical understanding, stakeholder management, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances in a stadium environment.

Project & Production Management

• Support the development, management, and distribution of production, staging, scenic, systems, and ceremonies operational plans from concept to delivery.
• Assist in the development of ceremonies deliverables, coordinating event details, internal alignment, and approval processes.
• Work alongside Heads of Operations, Technical, and Resourcing to oversee technical requirements and integration of ceremonies with stadiums and show environments.
• Develop and implement broadcast, staging, and scenic requirements and processes, in collaboration with EMCs and relevant Functional Areas.
• Align ceremonies production, staging, and systems plans with venue operating requirements and cross-functional integration (e.g. Stadium Entertainment, INF, Logistics, Venue Operations).
• Support the creation and maintenance of detailed production schedules and timelines for build, rehearsals, show delivery, dissolution, and load out.

Ceremonies Operations, Site & Show Delivery

• Manage and/or support ceremonies operations at stadium level, working closely with Stadium Entertainment Producers and Technical/Operations Managers.
• Set up and manage ceremonies and operational spaces, including field-of-play areas, backstage, compounds, green rooms, dressing rooms, storage, BOH areas, and operational work zones.
• Assist the Show Operations - Stadium team and Show Delivery team in executing show operations, cast movements, and in-bowl activities according to approved movement plans.
• Ensure FF&E (what goes where) plans for ceremonies venues are executed correctly and on time.
• Oversee or support venue-level operations related to accreditation, catering, parking, sanitation, cleaning, barricades, site equipment, tenting, fueling, and site restoration.
• Assist in organizing and coordinating rehearsals, load-in/load-out, and all logistics for ceremonies and stadium entertainment.

Site Management & Back-of-House Operations

• Assist with setup, operation, and breakdown of backstage areas including dressing rooms, green rooms, BOH corridors, compounds, and storage areas.
• Maintain BOH schedules and monitor housekeeping and working standards.
• Provide on-site support to cast, crew, and staff, addressing needs and concerns promptly.
• Communicate stadium site operations plans, daily run sheets, schedules, and venue documentation to relevant ceremonies departments.
• Address venue issues promptly and assist with implementation of contingency plans for stadium operations.

Stakeholder Liaison & Cross-Functional Integration

• Act as a key liaison with venue operations staff, EET internal departments, EMCs, stadium management, and other FWC26 Functional Areas.
• Facilitate cross-functional coordination within ceremonies sub-divisions, suppliers, and external stakeholders.
• Support vendors and suppliers, ensuring clear instructions and alignment with production and operations plans.
• Represent ceremonies operations/production at venue-level or project-level meetings as required.

Documentation, Reporting & Governance

• Develop and maintain user-friendly filing and archiving systems for production, technical, scenic, systems, and operational documentation.
• Prepare or support high-level reporting, such as WIP reports, Executive reports, project updates, dissolution plans, close-out and legacy handover documents.
• Maintain detailed records of production, staging, scenic, creative, PMC, site, and operational activities.
• Ensure the current version of scripts, show documents, creative content, and run sheets is accurate, logged, and distributed.
• Work in full compliance with FWC26 Policies & Procedures and Safety & Security rules and requirements.

Risk Management, Contingency & Safety

• Identify potential risks across production, operations, site, and show delivery, and contribute to mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
• Ensure all activities are carried out in line with safety regulations, security protocols, and operational policies.
• Support the development and implementation of contingency plans for operational or show-related issues and emergencies.

Your Profile

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Event Management, Live Entertainment Production, Theatre Production, Sports Event Management, Technical Production, or a related field preferred.
• Equivalent professional experience in ceremonies, large-scale live events, or stadium show production will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Work Experience

• Extensive experience working on large-scale live events, preferably in stadium environments (sporting events, ceremonies, concerts, or similar).
• Demonstrated experience in event logistics and operations, working cross-functionally across large event delivery teams.
• Experience with vendors and suppliers, including negotiation, coordination, and performance oversight.
• Exposure to or experience with production elements such as lighting, sound, video, rigging, staging, scenic, and broadcast integration.
• Proven ability to manage schedules, calls, meetings, production times, and operational timelines.
• Experience handling production documentation (call sheets, production reports, permits, scripts, creative logs, etc.) accurately and efficiently.
• Track record of identifying risks, developing mitigation strategies, and resolving complex operational or production challenges.
• Experience leading or supporting teams in high-pressure, fast-paced event environments, including managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills for interacting with producers, directors, talent, crew, partners, and stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong relationship-building skills with internal teams, external partners, and venue stakeholders.
• High attention to detail in managing complex projects and ensuring accuracy in deliverables.
• Strong writing and editing skills for creative briefs, reports, presentations, and operational documentation.
• Ability to prioritize effectively, manage competing deadlines, and remain calm under pressure.
• Cultural awareness and respect for diverse audiences, ensuring inclusive and respectful content and operations.
• A genuine enthusiasm for the entertainment industry and a commitment to creating high-quality, compelling ceremonies.
• Ability to work independently, show initiative, and influence outcomes with minimal supervision.
• Flexibility and willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, in line with event schedules.

Language

• Fluent in English (required).
• Spanish and/or French proficiency is a strong plus.
• Additional languages are beneficial given the global nature of the tournament, teams, and ceremonies collaborators.

Technology

• Familiarity with production and event management tools (e.g., show control systems, scheduling software, cueing tools, or project management platforms).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
• Ability to work with digital documentation, asset management systems, and reporting tools for production and operations.
• Comfort using collaboration platforms and shared drives for filing, archiving, and distributing production and operational documentation.

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.