Director World Cup 2026 Secretariat 64 views

A once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity for an experienced events leader – Toronto, ON

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and establish the City of Toronto’s new FIFA World Cup 2026 Secretariat. As the Secretariat’s Director, you’ll contribute to a major historic sports event by overseeing the planning and implementation of a variety of World Cup activities: soccer matches at Exhibition Place, training sites in City parks, and FIFA FanFest across City Divisions and Agencies. Along with playing an important role as the City’s point person with external partners, such as other government funders, Canada Soccer and FIFA, you’ll lead on developing and managing the governance structure for Toronto’s FIFA World Cup efforts, acting as the Secretary to an Internal FIFA World Cup 2026 Leadership Team. A senior role within the City of Toronto, this position reports directly to Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services and will work with cross-divisional stakeholders as well as a variety of senior external partners to provide leadership to this ground-breaking event.

What are your key accountabilities?

Leveraging your senior management experience working with complex public or private organizations, you’ll provide strategic direction, leadership, coordination, and oversight for Toronto’s involvement in the World Cup. This position holds accountability and responsibility for all aspects of Toronto’s hosting of the World Cup. A proven and creative leader of people and programs, you’ll direct the Secretariat’s activities, leading and motivating a diverse workforce, from resolving issues, to ensuring effective teamwork, and high standards of work quality and organizational performance, to successfully deliver the World Cup. You’ll also provide Secretariat staff and members of cross-divisional teams with the direction, guidance, and leadership they need to drive outcomes for the successful delivery of the World Cup and enhance the City’s capacity to deliver complex, multi-partner initiatives, within assigned budget. An understanding of Toronto’s neighbourhoods and communities will be critical to success of the role, and the ability to establish important legacies for the City.

This is a multi-stakeholder initiative with many interests and priorities, and you’ll work to enhance and promote the City’s vision and values by providing strong leadership, setting strategic directions, goals and priorities, and taking a proactive approach to risk identification and problem-solving. We’ll rely on you to lead the formation of interdivisional working groups, develop collaborative working relationships between City divisions and between the City and external organizations, as well as provide guidance and direction on issues management when there are implications for City program areas, and intergovernmental relations.

An effective communicator you’ll provide strategic advice to Division Heads, the Deputy City Manager and City Manager on key issues related to the FIFA World Cup/event, working with the communications team. It will also be your role to establish and chair key teams and committees related to the FIFA World Cup/event and ensure that the Deputy City Manager has the information and resources required to effectively direct and chair the City Team Executive Steering Committee.

Who is our ideal candidate?

You are a collaborative leader and relationship builder with knowledge of FIFA or major international events, who can effectively represent the City on various tables.

Among the other strengths you bring to the role of Director, World Cup Hosting 2026 and Special Projects, will be the following key qualifications:

1. Extensive senior management experience leading a comparable event and working with a major complex public or private sector organization.

2. Extensive experience leading large initiatives in a fast-paced, multi-level, project-based environment with emphasis on timelines and delivery.

3. Experience engaging and negotiating with Provincial and Federal governments.

4. A proven leader of teams who optimizes productivity and effectiveness.

5. A proven track record and passion for successfully delivering international events.

6. Post-secondary education in management/project management/event management or a professional discipline pertinent to the job function, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Note: All City of Toronto employees are required to be fully vaccinated as a condition of hire in accordance with the City’s Mandatory Vaccination Policy. Candidates will be required to show proof of vaccination during the recruitment process.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

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