Senior Manager, Volunteer Program - Canada
The FIFA World Cup 26™ will mark the first time that the tournament features 48 teams and will be hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This new format redefines excellence, generating unique opportunities for greater participation and engagement from fans and players in North America and all over the world. Volunteers are at the heart of FIFA events, impacting all that experience the Tournaments, and represents a critical component to the successful delivery of FIFA World Cup 2026™. As football unites the world, the Volunteer Program provides a unique opportunity to unite and connect with individuals and communities across Mexico and the wider North America hosting environment.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Administration, alongside supporting the Head of Volunteer Management in FWC26 Inc. office in Miami, the Senior Manager, Volunteers Canada will play a leading role in planning and mobilizing one united team of thousands of volunteers across Canada. We are looking for a high performing experienced event and volunteer leader to help spearhead the strategic planning for the Volunteer Program across Canada, providing support to FWC26 CAN, the central FWC26 Volunteer Team located in Miami, and applicable Canada Host Cities (Toronto & Vancouver). The successful candidate is expected to coordinate day-to-day activities, and provide local program leadership collaborating with key national partners and stakeholders. The role holder will need to remain flexible to central program priorities and needs, supporting the delivery of complementary projects which may extend across North America. It’s anticipated the role will transition once the strategic and operational plans are established to become a specific Host City lead in Canada with oversight of Volunteer Program delivery on the ground and manage applicable resources.
The ideal candidate will be an excellent project manager and communicator with the ability to be able to execute on strategies and implement required tactics. The Senior Manager Volunteer Canada mandate will include the requirement to champion key initiatives that align with the scope and scale of the overarching Volunteer Program including applicable ambitions to help realize a sustained impact in the Host Cities (Toronto & Vancouver).
THE POSITION
The main responsibilities of the Senior Manager, Volunteer Program Canada for the FIFA World Cup 2026 include:
- Provide local expertise in driving the successful strategic planning of the Volunteer Program across Canada working in close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and partners.
- Support the Head of Volunteer Management in defining and executing applicable strategies driving a consistent approach across North America, while incorporating local requirements.
- Development of the required operational plans, aligned to the agreed strategic framework.
- Formulate, organize and monitor inter-connected projects.
- Coordinate cross-project activities and relationships with external partners and stakeholders alongside FWC26 Canada colleagues, the FWC26 central Volunteer team, and Canadian Host Cities.
- Apply volunteer management expertise to help drive the optimal path forward to deliver upon FWC26 objectives.
- Report on and help resolve projects’ higher scope risks and issues.
- Prepare and provide regular reports for FWC26 Canadian leadership team, and FWC26 Head of Volunteer Management.
YOUR PROFILE
FIFA World Cup 2026 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.
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.
VISION: Ability to perceive the organization's global environmental impact, anticipate decision consequences, grasp organizational missions, and formulate strategic plans.
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.
LEADERSHIP: Ability to lead one’s contacts/colleagues/partners to produce the expected results (by positive influencing), to encourage teamwork by favoring co- operation.
Education & Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree (or similar level of higher education) preferred but not required.
Work Experience:
- Proven experience in the leading and facilitation of large scale/high-volume Volunteer programs including fit for purpose attraction, recruitment and engagement tactics.
- Knowledge of effective volunteer management and best practice – Canadian event experience is a plus.
- Thorough understanding of project management techniques and methods.
- Skilled in MS Office Suite of products including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to create, engage, and foster beneficial working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Proven multi-tasker and ability to meet deadlines.
- Ability to be flexible, adaptable, and able to respond to changing and conflicting requirements and priorities.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Excellent problem-solving ability.
- Effective in working in complex multi-organizational environment and managing relationships.
Languages:
- Fluent in English – French would be a plus.
Technology:
- Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio & Project).
About FWC2026
The FIFA World Cup 26™ will mark the first time that the tournament features 48 teams and will be hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
This new format redefines excellence, generating unique opportunities for greater participation and engagement from fans and players in North America and all over the world. Now is your time to be a game changer and join the workforce that is planning and delivering this unique and unforgettable experience.
