Job description

To join the World Aquatics team in Lausanne, Switzerland. The position will relocate with the planned move to Budapest, Hungary.

We are seeking an experienced Sports Event Manager to join the Sports Event team to help deliver the next phase of World Aquatics’ event delivery transformation.

This position involves overseeing the development, implementation and management of our aquatics’ sports events and competitions, ensuring they run smoothly, efficiently, and safely. This position combines strategic planning, event management, team leadership, budget management and post event reporting expertise to ensure world-class delivery of all World Aquatics sport events.

Reporting into the Sports Event and Operations Director and working in close collaboration with the Sports Director and Chief of Sport, the Sports Event Manager will be responsible for planning, organising, and executing the operational delivery of World Aquatics’ competitions and events. The Sports Event Manager will work collaboratively with various stakeholders, both internally and externally, to deliver successful events and enhance the organisation’s reputation.

This is a key leadership role responsible for the strategic planning, coordination and execution of international competitions and events hosted or sanctioned by the federation. This position entails managing complex logistical, operational and administrative aspects to ensure the highest standards of competition and event delivery, in alignment with the federation’s mission and values.

The role serves as a vital bridge between our international sports federation, athletes and the global sports community. The role requires an experienced professional who can uphold the federation’s commitment to excellence, integrity, and global promotion of aquatic sports through world-class competitions and events.

Key Responsibilities

• Event Calendar: Assist in planning and executing the long-term event calendar – prioritizing major competitions, championships and world cup events.

• Event Planning: Assist with setting, monitoring and executing project plans outlining key milestones and strategic goals for the department. Helping the team to understand objectives and key priorities by tracking projects until they go live on site.

• Event Management: Plan, coordinate, and execute all phases of major championships and world cup events. Oversee and project manage all onsite aspects of events at major championships and world cup events.

• Event Development: Explore and recommend innovative technologies to enhance the sport’s competitiveness, fairness and entertainment value.

• Team Leadership: Mentor a team of coordinators and support staff. Work transversally with sport technical department and collaboratively with other managers and departments to ensure all needs are captured for event and venue delivery. Work with professional services teams to ensure that plans for technology, energy, structures and security are robust.

• Budget Management: Develop and manage event budgets, monitoring expenses and revenue streams for major championships and world cup events.

• Contract Management: Manage execution of event agreements and contracts. Coordinate and negotiate event agreements and contracts.

• International Relations: Foster relationship with national federations and host cities/countries. Engage in the bidding process with host cities/countries.

• Reporting: Facilitate post-event evaluations to assess the success of competitions and events. Assist to establish performance metrics and foster a collaborative and innovative work environment. Lead post-event evaluations to assess the success of competitions and events. Provide comprehensive reports and recommendations to senior management and relevant stakeholders.

Profile required

Experience & Skills:

• 5+ years of experience in operations and event management or Sports event production, ideally across multiple international markets.

• Proven experience in managing major event operations.

• Extensive knowledge of event planning and reporting requirements.

• Hands-on leadership with experience managing cross-functional teams and complex projects.

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, including coordination with external stakeholders and suppliers.

• Experience managing budgets and delivering high-quality event delivery under tight timelines.

• Complete business fluency in English (both written and oral). Other language skills are a bonus.

• Willingness to travel frequently for global events.

Start Date: Q2 2026

Location: Lausanne, Switzerland. The position will relocate with the planned
move to Budapest, Hungary. All applicants must be willing to relocate to
Budapest.

What we offer?

• Opportunity to work in an exciting, fast-paced, international sports environment.

• Exposure to high-profile major global sports events

• A collaborative, multicultural workplace with opportunities to travel globally.

World Aquatics is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

If you are interested in this position and you meet the requirements in the profile,
please submit your application with a CV and Covering letter.

Despite receiving a high number of applications, we will endeavour to respond
to all applicants.

Company description

Who are we?

World Aquatics – formerly FINA (Féderation Internationale de Natation) – is the global governing body for the development of aquatic sports. Founded in 1908 and currently formed by 209 National Federations across five continents, World Aquatics is based in the Olympic-capital city of Lausanne. Our vision is to create ‘A world united by water, for health, life and sport and our mission is to ensure that everyone has the ability to participate, compete and benefit from aquatic sports across our six disciplines: Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Artistic Swimming and High Diving.

Why Work for Us?

If you are looking to be part of a purpose-driven organisation within the sports industry and want to make a difference, then look no further. We are looking for talented, high-performing individuals who are willing to demonstrate their values and passion in a dynamic and challenging environment.

On 2/11/2026