Regional Director, Safety & Security - Northeast FIFA World Cup 2026
FIFA World Cup 2026
Full-time
On-site
Miami, Florida, United States
Director, Security, Safety & Safeguarding
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At FIFA World Cup 2026™ our vision is to unite and host the world through the greatest sporting event of all time. We will accomplish this by redefining excellence - captivating and connecting the World through the most innovative, inclusive, and commercially successful World Cup ever. A total of 48 teams, more than six million fans, a workforce and team of volunteers numbering over 200,000 and millions more will take part in FIFA World Cup festivities at official events and venues across the three host countries, creating one of the largest coordinated security operations to date.
The Regional Director of Safety and Security for FIFA26, Inc. will lead the safety and security for all venues (and their respective sites) for a specific region. This role will include oversight of all security planning and operations, and the responsibility for the successful and safe delivery of these areas at FIFA World Cup 2026 and its test events. In addition, this role will support the implementation of the team security strategy and the training of Team Security Liaison Officers.
Location:
The Regional Director of Safety and Security for FIFA26, Inc. will lead the safety and security for all venues (and their respective sites) for a specific region. This role will include oversight of all security planning and operations, and the responsibility for the successful and safe delivery of these areas at FIFA World Cup 2026 and its test events. In addition, this role will support the implementation of the team security strategy and the training of Team Security Liaison Officers.
Location:
- Northeast Region, USA - The selected candidate must live in or near one of the Host Cities in the region (Boston, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia) (Remote)
THE POSITION
Reporting to the Executive Director of Safety and Security, this critical role will manage the planning, coordination and implementation of the comprehensive safety and security functions within and between the host cities and non-host cities within a geographic area.
Working closely with FIFA counterparts from the Safety & Security Department, the Regional Director will have oversight of the stadium, non-competition venues, and team safety and security functions within their assigned region. Each Regional Director will also lead a functional safety and security venue area of expertise, which may include stadiums, non-competition sites, team base camps, or other venues, to ensure consistency in service delivery across the tournament footprint.
The Regional Director will be responsible for implementation of security measures for any FWC2026 ancillary events taking place in the region of responsibility, to include trophy tours, FIFA Fan Fests, and other events.
Key Responsibilities:
Key Responsibilities:
The main responsibilities of the Regional Director of Safety and Security for the FIFA World Cup 2026 include:
- Participate on multi-agency, multi-country safety and security working groups and serve as the FIFA26 representative on various other joint coordination groups related to the sites under their scope.
- Support the development and implementation of the safety and security strategy, aligned with the objectives of FIFA26, Inc. and FIFA Zurich.
- Serve as the FIFA26 liaison with, state, and local security agencies to support overall World Cup security planning and coordination and prevent and respond to potential security threats and incidents.
- Develop plans that ensure a coordinated and measured approach that reflects the highest standards of safety, law enforcement, and community engagement.
- Manage a multifaceted team responsible for delivering across a range of safety and security areas, including third parties (suppliers, local security teams, etc.).
- Prepare and manage the safety and security budget for the venues under their responsibility, collaborating with other functional areas and teams, as needed.
- Work closely with other FIFA World Cup 2026 leaders and departments, including Planning & Integration, Host City Management, Team Services, Facilities, Operations, Technology, Cybersecurity, Legal, and other Functional Areas to ensure that safety and security considerations are integrated into all planning and execution processes.
- Conduct safety and security assessments of all World Cup venues and sites and implement appropriate measures to mitigate risks and ensure safety.
- Work closely with Host City Committees and FIFA26 Venue Teams to incorporate best practices into overall safety and security strategies and decision-making.
- Oversee the implementation of safety and security protocols related to transportation, accommodation, and other services for players, team personnel, key stakeholders, and the community.
- Support the hiring process for the venue security management teams that will operate the venues under their responsibility and scope.
- Train and coordinate the venue security management teams at the venues under their responsibility.
- Implement the FIFA26 Security command, control, communications, and coordination (C4) strategy, including playing a key role at the command and control structure implemented by the department.
- Prepare regular reports on the status of safety and security operations and its venues (hotels, training sites, team base camps, etc.) and present to the Executive Director of Safety and Security and the Chief Safety and Security Officer as required.
YOUR PROFILE
Candidates for this role should demonstrate:
COOPERATION: Capacity to work in a team and to contribute to the accomplishment of shared objectives. Ability to share information and knowledge with colleagues at all levels (equals, superiors, and subordinates), within the unit and with other units / divisions.
INCLUSIVITY: Ability to identify, construct, and maintain a network of support contacts to achieve the objectives of the organization.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Inclination to dedicate oneself to one’s responsibilities, to care about the quality, and to assume the consequences of one’s own actions and/or decisions.
INNOVATION: Capacity to break new ground, look for different solutions, come up with fresh ideas, and to think and act unconventionally.
TRANSPARENCY: Ability to objectively analyze one’s behavior and action, to identify shortcomings, question oneself, and learn from one’s mistakes.
LEADERSHIP: Ability to lead one’s contacts/colleagues/partners to produce the expected results (by persuasion or compulsion if necessary), to encourage teamwork by favoring co-operation.
DECISION MAKING: Ability to recognize situations requiring a (rapid) decision and to take that decision, to take initiatives and calculated risks, explore different solutions, and act promptly to the unexpected.
VISION: Ability to see the global impact of the development of the environment on the organization, to anticipate the consequences of one’s decisions, to acquire a view of the organization’s missions, and to elaborate a strategy.
NEGOTIATION: Capacity to achieve constructive and positive results for the organization by tangibly influencing others while taking account of their needs and expectations.
DELEGATION: Ability to delegate authority, responsibility, and decision-making power to a subordinate and to make efficient use of their skills and talents.
COOPERATION: Capacity to work in a team and to contribute to the accomplishment of shared objectives. Ability to share information and knowledge with colleagues at all levels (equals, superiors, and subordinates), within the unit and with other units / divisions.
INCLUSIVITY: Ability to identify, construct, and maintain a network of support contacts to achieve the objectives of the organization.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Inclination to dedicate oneself to one’s responsibilities, to care about the quality, and to assume the consequences of one’s own actions and/or decisions.
INNOVATION: Capacity to break new ground, look for different solutions, come up with fresh ideas, and to think and act unconventionally.
TRANSPARENCY: Ability to objectively analyze one’s behavior and action, to identify shortcomings, question oneself, and learn from one’s mistakes.
LEADERSHIP: Ability to lead one’s contacts/colleagues/partners to produce the expected results (by persuasion or compulsion if necessary), to encourage teamwork by favoring co-operation.
DECISION MAKING: Ability to recognize situations requiring a (rapid) decision and to take that decision, to take initiatives and calculated risks, explore different solutions, and act promptly to the unexpected.
VISION: Ability to see the global impact of the development of the environment on the organization, to anticipate the consequences of one’s decisions, to acquire a view of the organization’s missions, and to elaborate a strategy.
NEGOTIATION: Capacity to achieve constructive and positive results for the organization by tangibly influencing others while taking account of their needs and expectations.
DELEGATION: Ability to delegate authority, responsibility, and decision-making power to a subordinate and to make efficient use of their skills and talents.
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.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Education & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or similar education / experience in safety, security, policy development, and event management.
Work Experience
- Minimum ten years of experience in safety and security planning and operations for large, complex organizations, with a focus on large-scale events. FIFA tournaments experience considered a plus.
- Knowledge of sport event safety and security planning and standards.
- Experience with the FIFA Stadium Safety and Security Regulations is a plus.
- Ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
- Deep understanding of risk and crisis management, physical security planning and operations, and emergency preparedness.
- Proven track-record of building and/or managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders for a high-profile organization.
- Experience working in multicultural environments.
- Experience in the sports industry is an advantage.
- Experience in building and leading effective teams in a fast-paced environment
Languages (non-mandatory)
- Fluent in English (written and spoken)
- Additional languages are an asset (Spanish, in particular)
Technology
- Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio and Project), planning software and online collaboration tools.
- Proficient in safety and security technologies including patron screening technology, biometric identity solutions, physical security infrastructure systems, enterprise access control technology, and video analytics systems.