Background:

India will host the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2022 (FU17WWC2022). It will be the second time the country hosts an event from the world football governing body. This is one of the important event on the FIFA calendar, with 16 countries playing 32 games in 3 venues across India. It has been a key stepping stone in the careers of a large part of world football stars and will be an important event being hosted in Indian football history.

The tournament has a huge worldwide reach, with an estimated global audience from almost 200 different countries, which is a golden opportunity to show India throughout the world, its cities, culture and the capability of organizing an event of the highest standards.

The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup will have a lasting influence on Indian Football, upgrading the infrastructure, setting up proper game operations standards and improving the overall quality of the game. Undoubtedly, the FU17WWC2022 is primed to be a game changer for Indian Football.

Job Description:

This position will be responsible for managing all protocol operations conducted for the tournament. The Guest Management and Hospitality Manager will work with the Head of Guest Relations & Hospitality to plan all the protocol requirements and delivery of the same for the Competition.

In terms of Protocol, this position will entail leading the relationship with the FIFA Protocol Manager and with the different stakeholders to ensure that the Protocol Concept & Hospitality arrangements are approved by FIFA is implemented and followed at all the events and matches for the Tournament.

This position will lead the process of the protocol operations delivery of the following special events Opening Ceremony (October 11) and Closing Ceremony (If any). The Protocol Manager must work jointly with the Head of Guest Relations & Hospitality to implement strategies, action plans and protocols plans that have as an objective fulfill the Mission and Vision of the Organization.

Main Responsibilities: 

∙ Management of the Protocol Concept considering the different particularities in each Host City

∙ End to end Management of the inventory of the VIP tribunes at all the Venues, including taking request from the different stakeholders for VIP seating, allocating spaces for them to seat, managing expectations from the different stakeholders regarding the number of tickets that can be disbursed to them, etc;

∙ Overseeing the protocol seating of the FIFA and LOC Guests as per the existing protocol procedures particular to each Host State; 

∙ Receiving the requests from VIP (particularly former star athletes, film stars, businesspeople of notice, senior government officers and others) for tickets and any other special arrangements for attending to matches and implementing them according to the Tournament Regulations

∙ Oversee all protocol-centric processes across all venues to ensure that the LOC VIPs and guests of honour may enjoy the matches without having to experience any difficulties

∙ Support in the process of staffing for the Venue Protocol Manager, a position which will implement on the ground the Protocol Concept

∙ Work in close cooperation with the Ticketing Manager regarding the ticketing inventory allocated for VIPs in each stadium and the procedure of printing, verification, access control, etc;

∙ Preparing all the guest management implementation in accordance with FIFA protocol Department;

∙ Work with FIFA Protocol on in-stadium standards to ensure consistency is upheld between venues, particularly when it comes to Welcome Desks, Decoration, Branding and Food and Beverage display;

∙ Making sure that all the rights of the Commercial Affiliates and National Supporters with regards to equipment to be present in the VIP Tribune and VIP Lounge are protected

∙ Support the Venue Protocol Officers in the identification and training of protocol volunteers;

∙ Review of items to be present in the VIP Tribune and VIP Lounge at each of the stadiums

∙ Prepare comprehensive debriefings and final reports of all the Protocol activities for the LOC Leadership.

∙ Responsible for the implementation of the protocol operations for special events for the FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup India 2022

∙ Ensuring that each of the Special Events is conducted as per the FIFA Regulations and that no deviations happen due to requests of different stakeholders or VIPs

∙ Supporting the Head of Guest Relations & Hospitality on the decision for invitations of VIPs for the Special Events and ensuring the appearance of the special invitees decided

∙ Coordination with all the VIP invitees for the Special Events, ensuring their timely appearance for the Special Events and that all their special requests are catered for within the restricted LOC budgets

∙ End-to-end management of all protocol-related matters in each of the Special Events, including guest invitations, transportation, gifts, seating arrangements, protocol routes, etc.

∙ Develop its work consistently with the values of the organization

∙ Write and prepare comprehensive debriefings and final reports with the weigh-in with Protocol were implemented throughout the Tournament

∙ At least 3 years of working experience

∙ Knowledge of the following Areas: Marketing, Guest Management, Ticketing, Communications, Event Production and Sponsorship

∙ Experience in event and/or project management, ideally in the sports industry

∙ Strong interpersonal skills, ability to develop relationships and communicate with all levels of management, diplomatic skills

∙ Experience dealing with Senior Government officials

∙ Experience with client management

∙ Good relationship with peers in high stress moments

∙ Advanced Level of English

∙ Advanced Level of knowledge in Microsoft Office platforms such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint