EURO Ceremonies Manager

UEFA; Nyon; Hybrid; CHF 150,000 - 190,000; Part time

Job summary

UEFA is seeking a Ceremonies Manager for UEFA EURO 2028, based in Nyon with responsibilities spanning Cardiff, Manchester and London. The role requires leading end-to-end ceremony delivery, coordinating operations, and managing budgets and agency contracts.

Extensive experience in live events, strong leadership, and willingness to travel are essential. Relocation to Switzerland/France is expected; hybrid work with some travel.

Qualifications

• 7+ years experience in project management in live events.
• 7+ years experience in event management.
• Bachelor's degree in project management or event management.
• Fluent in English.
• Relocation to Switzerland/France expected.
• Proficient in budget management.
• Willingness to travel.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Experience managing significant contracts with agencies/suppliers.
• Enjoy leading a team.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing end-to-end delivery of the UEFA EURO 2028 ceremonies.
• Lead master planning process and milestone tracking for seamless execution.
• Monitor timelines, risks and dependencies; provide updates to Senior Manager.
• Develop contingency and crisis-management plans for smooth operations.
• Ensure ceremony operations integrate with venue functions; oversee rehearsals.
• Monitor operational readiness and approve final delivery plans.
• Lead integration of the official main artist when required.
• Manage agency contracts and budgets; coordinate with procurement.
• Lead and coach the EURO ceremonies team; promote cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Stakeholder mgmt

Crisis management

Team coaching

Travel readiness

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in project management or event management

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Outlook

Microsoft Teams

Job description

Job information

Division/Unit: Club Competitions Operations & Events / Division Management
Contract type: Max-term
Location: Nyon (WFH up to one day per week)
Start date: 01/03/2027
End date: 31/08/2028

Main goal

The Ceremonies project provides a compelling experience and amazing images to all target groups in the UEFA EURO 2028 stadiums and for millions of television viewers worldwide. The Ceremonies Manager serves as the primary point of accountability for the delivery of the UEFA EURO opening, closing and cup ceremonies, and acts as the senior representative of the Ceremonies project within UEFA and across external partners.
This role is based in Nyon and covers Cardiff, Manchester and London. As a result, travel will be required for venue working visits, to meet with the agencies and suppliers, and to deliver on-site operations.

Key responsibilities

Project management

• Overseeing the end-to-end delivery of the UEFA EURO 2028 ceremonies
• Leading the master planning process, ensuring all milestones are achieved for a seamless execution
• Monitoring project timelines, risks and dependencies across the project workstream
• Establishing reporting structures and providing regular updates to the Senior Manager
• Developing contingency and crisis-management plans to ensure smooth operations

Operations

• Ensuring the full integration of ceremony operations with other UEFA venue-related functions, such as accreditation, access, venue management, volunteers, technical services, broadcast and giant screen operations
• Overseeing the planning and execution of rehearsals
• Monitoring operational readiness and approving final delivery plans
• Leading the integration of the official main artist in the ceremonies, where required
• Ensuring agencies deliver the approved creative concept against contractual obligations, budgets and quality standards
• Acting as the main escalation point for ceremony-related challenges
• Facilitating alignment across stakeholder groups

Contract and budget management

• Leading the process to appoint agencies and any other relevant suppliers, including preparing tender documents, defining agency scope, and performing technical and financial evaluations in close cooperation with the procurement team
• Negotiating and overseeing production contracts with agencies and other suppliers
• Monitoring expenditure and approving budget allocations
• Owning and managing the ceremonies budget
• Leading cost reconciliation and reporting during and following the tournament

Team management

• Leading and coaching the EURO ceremonies team
• Supporting knowledge sharing
• Promoting inclusive leadership and effective cross-functional collaboration

Requirements

Experience:

• more than 7 years experience in project management in live events
• more than 7 years experience in event management

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in project management or event management

Languages:

• Fluent in English

Other requirements:

• Relocation to Switzerland/France is expected
• Familiar with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams
• Proficient in budget management
• Willingness to travel
• Strong organisational skills
• Ability to deliver multiple projects within scope, budget and non-negotiable deadlines
• Experience managing significant contracts with agencies/suppliers
• Enjoy leading a team

Desirable:

• Proven experience in a multicultural business environment, preferably linked to international sports events
• Knowledge of ceremonies and other broadcast events
• Knowledge of UEFA projects and their interaction with ceremonies
• Experience working in the three stadiums hosting the ceremonies

UEFA welcomes applications from all, actively working to ensure that we are an inclusive employer that finds the best candidate for our positions, regardless of aspects such as sex, gender identification, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity or nationality.