Host City Protocol Manager

AFC WOMEN’S ASIAN CUP 2026 LOC OFFICEThe Kick-off StoryThe Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has awarded Football Australia hosting rights for the 2026 edition of the AFC Women's Asian Cup™. This marks Australia's second time hosting the event, after previously staging it in 2006, and follows the success of co-hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup™.You will be part of a Local Organising Committee (LOC), which has been established for the sole purpose of delivering the 2026 edition of the AFC Women's Asian Cup™ in Australia.This prestigious event will bring together 12 nations in a tournament structured into three groups of four. We are eager to create another tournament that celebrates women's football and multicultural Australia and also delivers legacy outcomes for football and Australian society more broadly.If you need assistance in applying for this role, please reach out to our People team.Your Next Big MatchPlease note that this role is fixed term from January until March 2026.Team Leadership & Relationship ManagementLead and support the Protocol and Guest Management Team, including volunteers and contractors, within the assigned host city.Plan and deliver training to ensure consistent, high-quality protocol and guest operations across all venues.Advise and collaborate with guests, stakeholders, and city teams on protocol and guest management matters.Represent the function in venue and city meetings, fostering teamwork and efficiency under live event conditions.Event OperationsOversee all protocol and guest management operations for VVIP/VIP guests across matches and city events.Coordinate with Travel, Transport, Security, AFC, and government stakeholders to ensure smooth guest journeys.Manage match day documentation (briefings, seating maps, attendance reports) and stadium experiences, ensuring compliance with protocol standards and accessibility needs.Maintain thorough operational knowledge of the venue, detailed event records, and adhere to incident-reporting and shift scheduling requirementsA full copy of the position description can be found by copy and pasting the following link into a web browser: https://footballaustralia.com.au/sites/default/files/2025-11/Position%20Description%20-%20Host%20City%20Protocol%20Manager%20%28Perth%29%20-%20AFC%20Women%27s%20Asian%20Cup%20LOC.pdfWhat Gets You in the Game? Experienced in protocol, guest management, or international diplomacy within major sporting events, with a strong understanding of event-specific requirements.Proven leadership in managing large teams under pressure, maintaining professionalism and performance.Skilled in using CRM and cloud-based systems for guest management and service delivery.Strong interpersonal, communication, and project management abilities across diverse stakeholders.Flexible and adaptive, able to quickly process information, manage contractors, and operate effectively under tight tournament timelines.A full list of experience, skills and qualifications can be found in the above position description.Offside ConditionsFull working rights in Australia *(please note that due to the fixed-term nature of the tournament, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position)Working with children check (paid/employee) or state-based equivalent International Criminal History Record for each country (other than Australia) in which you have resided for 12 months or more in the last 10 years (if applicable)Out of hours and weekend work as requiredOur roles are based at Moore Park in Sydney Click APPLY NOW to submit your application, including a cover letter and current resume. The Women’s Asian Cup 2026 LOC is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a safe, work environment that prioritizes child safety, diversity, and inclusion. Our values and behaviours promote a culture where individuals make an impact both on and off the pitch, united in the pursuit of excellence, building trust, and championing inclusivity. We encourage applications from people who identify as female or non-binary, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island people, people with disabilities and people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. In submitting an application, you agree to our collection statement. To review, head to the following link: www.footballaustralia.com.au/jobs/collection-statement