Director, Stakeholder & Relations – México

Department: Government Engagement & Stakeholder Relations

Employment Type: Fixed Term – Full Time

Location: Mexico City

Description

Reporting organisationally to the Chief of Tournament Officer, the Executive Director of Stakeholder Relations for FIFA in Mexico for the 2026 World Cup should play a pivotal role in fostering strong partnerships between FIFA and various levels of government in Mexico, international organizations, embassies, think tanks and NGOs. This role involves navigating complex bureaucratic landscapes, advocating for FIFA’s interests, and ensuring smooth coordination with government entities at the federal, state, and municipal levels. Additionally, the Director will be responsible for addressing regulatory and political challenges to facilitate the successful organization and execution of the tournament. Additionally, the role is expected to collaborate with different areas of FIFA Mexico and will require coordination with federal and local authorities to guarantee that the teams have all the necessary equipment to compete and that fans enjoy the best experience during their visit to the country. Most importantly, the profile is going to work with FIFA leadership to guarantee a good legacy of the FWC2026 with the Mexican authorities and communities.

Sitting within the Stakeholder Relations Department, Stakeholder Relations (along with Host City Relations, Government Engagement, Cross Border Relations, and Stakeholder Experience) aims to deliver the most engaging, innovative, and accessible World Cup experience for all athletes, fans, partners, and the community.

THE POSITION

The main responsibilities and oversights for the FIFA World Cup 26™ include:

• Develop a work plan for the government relations and public affairs area, which is aligned with the institutional objectives of FIFA in Mexico, as well as with the expectations that other operational areas of FIFA have of the position, for the correct execution of their activities.
• Coordination with the Stakeholder Relations departments in the United States and Canada, for the alignment of objectives and actions.
• Develop and execute comprehensive public affairs strategies to build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, including governments (federal, state, and municipal), legislators, and local communities.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with government entities and officials to ensure compliance with regulations, obtain necessary permits, and address any concerns.
• Establish a legislative and regulatory monitoring mechanism to anticipate risks and areas of opportunity.
• Prepare briefs, policy papers, mappings and other inputs required from the area for the interactions of FIFA leadership with authorities for the development of the event.
• Anticipate and manage political and institutional crises.
• Management of a team of external advisory agencies.
• Coordinate stakeholder events, forums, and workshops to facilitate open dialogue, gather feedback, and address stakeholder concerns.
• Collaborate with internal teams, such as Communications & PR and Sustainability & Human Rights, Legal, Operations & Logistics, among others, to ensure alignment and integration of stakeholder engagement efforts across all functional areas.
• Stay informed on issues related on the political & regulatory environment, industry trends, stakeholder expectations, and emerging issues to anticipate and proactively address potential challenges or opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with relevant ethical and legal guidelines in stakeholder engagement and communications activities
• Oversee the management and utilization of stakeholder relationship management systems and tools to track interactions, communications, and engagement outcomes

YOUR PROFILE

• Postgraduate or similar level of education in Political Science, Public Administration, International Relations, Communications, Law, or another related field. Master’s Degree is a plus.
• Fluent in Spanish and English
• Minimum of 10 years of work experience within the public sector and/or in areas related to political consulting, public and government affairs, corporate and institutional relations.
• Knowledge and experience in politics and/or sports diplomacy is a plus, but not an essential requirement.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship skills.
• Ability to navigate government structures and processes effectively.
• High level of communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to grasp the big picture and adjust accordingly.
• Positive attitude, patience, and persistence.