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:
- Southeast Region, USA – The selected candidate must live in the Miami area (assigned to FIFA26, Inc. headquarters in Coral Gables, FL)
THE POSITION
Key Responsibilities:
- 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
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.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree or similar education / experience in safety, security, policy development, and event management.
- 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
- Fluent in English (written and spoken)
- Additional languages are an asset (Spanish, in particular)
- 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.
