Job description

Lausanne with relocation to Budapest, Hungary.

We are seeking an experienced Sports Event and Masters Manager, ideally with expertise in mass participation or Master’s events, to join the Sport Events team and support the next phase of World Aquatics’ event delivery transformation.

The role oversees the development, implementation, and management of aquatics events and competitions, ensuring smooth, efficient, and safe delivery. It combines strategic planning, event management, team leadership, budget oversight, and post-event reporting to achieve world-class execution of all World Aquatics sport events.

Reporting to the Sports Event and Operations Director and working closely with the Sport Director and Chief of Sport, the Sports Event & Masters Manager is responsible for planning and delivering the operational execution of World Aquatics’ competitions and events.

The role collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful events and strengthen the organisation’s reputation.

This key leadership role is responsible for the strategic planning, coordination, and delivery of international competitions and events hosted or sanctioned by the federation. It oversees complex logistical, operational, and administrative functions to ensure the highest standards of event delivery, aligned with the federation’s mission and values.

The role acts as a key link between the international federation, athletes, and the global sports community. It requires an experienced professional who upholds excellence, integrity, and the global promotion of aquatic sports through world-class events.

Key Responsibilities

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

• Event Planning: Assist with setting, monitoring and executing project plans outlining key milestones and strategic goals for the department. Helping 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, world cup and Master’s events. Oversee and project manage all on-site 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.

• Sport and Results Management: Coordination and continuous review of Technical Rules and alignment with World Aquatics elite Competition Regulations. Coordination with the Master Technical Committee in the delivery of all Master’s sport matters. Coordination of Masters results collection (including the release of the World Records per age group and event as well as the to 10 best performances of the year).

Profile required

Experience & Skills:

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

• Previous experience in the delivery of mass participation or Master’s sport events is strongly desirable.

• Proven experience in managing major event Events.

• Technical knowledge of aquatic sports is strongly desirable.

• Understanding of result management systems is strongly desirable.

• 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 a bonus.

• Willingness to travel frequently for global events.

Start Date: Q2 2026

Location: Lausanne. The position will relocate with the planned move to Budapest, Hungary

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