Job description

To join the World Aquatics team in Lausanne, Switzerland, with relocation to Budapest, Hungary.

We are seeking a skilled Sports Event Coordinator to join the Sports Event team to help deliver the next phase of World Aquatics’ event delivery transformation. This position combines strategic planning, event management, team coordination, budget management and post event reporting expertise to ensure world-class delivery of all World Aquatics events. This position involves overseeing the development, implementation and management of our aquatics’ sports events and competitions, ensuring they run smoothly, efficiently, and safely.

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

This is a key role supporting 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 and requires a dedicated professional who can uphold the federation’s commitment to excellence, integrity, and global promotion of aquatic sports through world-class competitions and events.

As part of the development opportunities for the successful candidate, there will be the opportunity to take on the event and operations management responsibility for some of World Aquatic’s age group and World Cup events.

Key Responsibilities

• Event Calendar: Assist in planning and executing the long-term event calendar – prioritizing world cup and junior 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 world cup and junior events. Oversee and project manage all on-site aspects of events at world cup and junior events.

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

• Teamwork: Join a team of managers, coordinators and support staff. Work transversally with the 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 world cup and junior events.

• Contract Management: Support with the execution of event agreements and contracts. Support with the coordination 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 in establishing performance metrics and foster a collaborative and innovative work environment. Support with 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:

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

• Proven experience in managing event operations.

• Detailed knowledge of event planning and reporting requirements.

• Hands-on experience working as part of cross-functional teams and complex projects.

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

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

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

Closing date: Friday 20 February. Suitable candidates may be interviewed prior to the closing date.

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