VIP Lounge Manager, Match Day Only

Job Overview

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Employment Type

Temporary
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Work Schedule

Standard Hours
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Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Disability insurance
Life insurance
401k Retirement Plan

Job Description

FIFA26 is the organizing entity behind the FIFA World Cup 26™, a landmark sporting event poised to unite the world through soccer. This upcoming tournament is historic in its scale and ambition, as it will be the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 teams and be concurrently hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The event is set to redefine global sporting excellence, delivering a unique and expansive platform for fan engagement and sporting participation across North America and the broader international soccer community. FIFA26 is committed to delivering an unforgettable experience that combines the highest standards of sport, hospitality, and cultural celebration, leveraging the global passion for soccer to bring people together in an unprecedented way.

In support of this vision, FIFA26 is seeking to recruit a VIP Lounge Manager for match days only in Houston. This role is a pivotal position within the Guest Operations team and focuses on overseeing the VIP lounge experiences at FIFA World Cup 26™ matches held in the assigned stadium. Reporting to the Guest Operations Stadium Manager, the VIP Lounge Manager will work closely with various departments such as Hospitality, Guest Relations, Venue Management, and other stakeholder teams to ensure the seamless execution of VIP and VVIP hospitality programs. The role involves managing the guest experience from start to finish which includes overseeing lounge branding, entertainment, staffing, and décor to ensure an exceptional, world-class hospitality service.

This position is a fixed-term contract with on-site work in Houston, ideal for seasoned professionals with expertise in sports event guest operations and hospitality management. The successful candidate will be responsible not only for the professional delivery of high-end hospitality services and guest relations but will also engage with vendors and suppliers to maintain budget compliance and quality standards. The role demands strong leadership and organizational skills to manage multiple facets of VVIP operations including sponsor relations, staff training, and critical incident management.

The VIP Lounge Manager will also play a key role in contributing to pre-event planning sessions and post-event debriefs to ensure continuous improvement in guest experiences and operational processes. FIFA26 offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, life insurance, and a 401k retirement plan, positioning this position as an excellent opportunity for professionals wanting to make a significant impact on one of the world’s most prestigious sporting stages. The role requires fluency in English, with additional language skills in Spanish or French considered an advantage, alongside proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications and collaboration tools.

Candidates will bring more than five years of experience in guest operations, hospitality, and event management within sports or similar high-profile event environments, demonstrating exceptional project management abilities and a comprehensive understanding of stadium operations. This job is perfect for vibrant, decisive leaders passionate about delivering impeccable guest experiences amid fast-paced, large-scale events, and eager to represent the pinnacle of international sporting hospitality at this unique tri-national event.

Job Requirements

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in sport management, business, hospitality or event management
  • 5+ years guest operations and event services experience
  • Extensive knowledge of stadium operations, guest operations and hospitality
  • Strong leadership capabilities
  • Excellent communication skills in English
  • Proficiency in MS Office and planning software
  • Ability to work onsite in Houston
  • Availability for match day shifts
  • Experience managing VIP hospitality programs
  • Commitment to delivering world-class customer service

Job Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or master's degree in sport management, business, hospitality or event management
  • Postgraduate education focusing on international organizations or sport management preferred, but not required
  • Guest experience and hospitality management
  • 5+ years guest operations and event services with project management experience
  • Extensive knowledge and experience in general stadium operations and guest operations and hospitality
  • Extensive experience managing end-to-end VIP hospitality programs at major sporting events
  • Fluent in English
  • Spanish and/or French proficiency is a plus
  • Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Visio & Project) and planning software and online collaboration tools

Job Duties

  • Lead the on-site execution of the VIP lounge guest experience, including branding, entertainment, staffing, and decor
  • Ensure the delivery of exceptional, world-class hospitality service to all guests
  • Monitor hospitality suppliers to ensure quality, budget compliance, and risk management
  • Address and escalate queries related to stadium infrastructure and technical aspects of guest areas
  • Manage VIK sponsor needs and ensure implementation aligns with agreed plans
  • Support world-class training programs focused on delivering exceptional customer service
  • Participate in planning meetings, provide updates, and prepare documents to support guest experience initiatives
  • Fill in the required reports and escalate necessary issues to the central team
  • Ensure successful knowledge sharing and post-event debriefing for Guest Operations

Job Criteria

Experience

Expert Level (7+ years)


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