**Contract Type: Fixed-Term Contract (until August 2026)** We are seeking seeking an experienced Ticketing Director to oversee and lead end-to-end ticketing operations and guest management for a major football hospitality programme for FIFA World Cup 2026. Based in London, with travel to the United States required during the tournament, you will be responsible for overseeing the end-to-end ticketing process – from planning and allocation through to on-site delivery—while also leading the set-up, deployment, and ongoing management of a bespoke ticket and guest management system. This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in one of the world’s biggest sporting events, working with global stakeholders, VIP clients, and internal teams to deliver a seamless guest experience.Guest Experience Strategy: Define and implement guest journey mapping and ticket distribution strategies that integrate seamlessly into the broader event ecosystem, ensuring alignment with both FIFA standards and bespoke client requirements.Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate with leads from other operational verticals (e.g accreditation, transport, accommodation, F&B) to deliver a cohesive and exceptional guest experience.Compliance & Documentation: Ensure all ticketing processes comply with FIFA protocols, GDPR, and relevant legal/regulatory requirements. Maintain up-to-date documents, guest communications, delivery schedules, and operational playbooks.Cross-functional role: Represent ticketing interests in cross-functional meetings and escalate issues as appropriate to senior leadership.Responsiveness: Manage support teams during onsite emergencies, ensuring minimal disruption to guest experience and operations.* Proven leadership in managing complex ticketing operations and stakeholder relationships.* Demonstrated ability to manage operational readiness, compliance, and contingency planning.* Expertise in data privacy, guest data lifecycle management, and regulatory compliance.* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with experience managing diverse teams.* Ability to work under pressure, solve problems proactively, and make timely decisions in a dynamic environment.* Availability for onsite event support during FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament phases.Extensive experience in large-scale event ticketing management, ideally within international sports or entertainment contexts.Strong knowledge of ticketing systems architecture, vendor management, and integration with hospitality and accreditation systems.* Strong project management skills, including budgeting, planning, and team coordination.* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to navigate diverse cultural environments.* Highly organised, solution-oriented, and capable of working under pressure in fast-paced, dynamic environments.* Experience in managing third-party vendors and contractors is desirable.* Fluency in English is essential; additional languages (particularly Spanish) are an asset.Proven experience (7+ years) in account management, event operations, or ticketing for major international events—experience with sports tournaments is a strong advantage.In-depth knowledge of ticketing platforms, CRM systems, and digital ticket distribution technologies.Demonstrated ability to manage high-level stakeholders and complex operational delivery under tight timelines.
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