Team Welcome Ceremonies Event Lead

Rugby World Cup Australia is seeking a Team Welcome Ceremonies Event Lead to lead the end-to-end planning and delivery of a series of high-profile Team Welcome Ceremonies for the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027. The role is based in the Sydney CBD office and reports to the World Rugby Director of Corporate Events, working alongside another Event Lead. The post-holder collaborates closely with teams across Team Services, Security, Marketing and Legal, as well as host city partners, tourism bodies and external suppliers, across multiple host cities.

• Partner, plan and deliver 24 Team Welcome Ceremonies across seven host cities, ensuring a consistent and high-quality experience for teams, stakeholders and fans.
• Translate ceremony concepts into comprehensive operational plans, including schedules, budgets, checklists, risk management documentation and event delivery frameworks.
• Coordinate venue selection and readiness, managing site visits, access requirements, security, accreditation, transport, catering, branding and guest experience arrangements.
• Procure, brief and manage suppliers, production partners and contractors, monitoring performance, deliverables, costs and service standards throughout the event lifecycle.
• Manage ceremony content and production elements, including scripts, run sheets, rehearsals, AV requirements, protocol components and team presentation activities.
• Lead event-day operations for allocated ceremonies, overseeing bump-in, workforce briefings, rehearsals, guest and dignitary arrivals, live delivery, issue resolution and bump-out activities.
• Maintain project reporting, budgets and risk registers, while supporting workforce and volunteer deployment and ensuring compliance with health and safety, accessibility, sustainability and governance requirements.

• Minimum 3 years' experience planning and delivering live events.
• Project management expertise, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent events, workstreams, schedules, budgets, risks and competing deadlines.
• Proven experience coordinating venues, suppliers, production partners and event-day operations from planning through to successful on-site delivery.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with experience working with VIPs, dignitaries, senior leaders, international teams and external partners.
• Excellent negotiation, relationship-building and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across diverse teams, cultures and stakeholder groups.
• Highly organised and detail-oriented, with strong problem-solving capability and the confidence to make sound decisions in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
• Proficiency in project, budget and event management tools, combined with a creative mindset and the ability to develop engaging experiences that enhance audience and fan engagement.
• Flexibility to travel as required, and willingness to work outside standard business hours, including evenings and weekends, to support activities and tournament delivery.
• Must be able to obtain their own unlimited working rights in Australia; the opportunity does not include a relocation package, so applicants should be prepared to be based in the role location at their own expense.

• Experience within major sporting events, international events or complex multi-venue programmes.

• Hybrid work model with four days per week in the office (Monday to Thursday), transitioning to full-time in the office as tournament delivery approaches.
• Modern Sydney CBD headquarters opposite Hyde Park, a short walk from Town Hall Station and surrounded by cafés, restaurants and public transport options.

• Fixed-term contract offering unique exposure to the delivery of a world-class sporting event.
• Weekly fresh fruit, wellbeing initiatives and regular Lunch & Learn sessions designed to support personal and professional growth.
• On-site showers, fresh towels and premium Dyson hair tools.
• A collaborative and social workplace with regular team events, celebrations and weekly catch-ups that recognise success and foster connection.
• The opportunity to play a key role in delivering the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 and help create a lasting legacy for rugby in Australia.