Project Director

Description:

Fuse is seeking an experienced Project Director with a passion for Sport & Entertainment, to join a team delivering a major Rugby World Cup 2027 sponsorship for one of our clients – Asahi Super Dry. With this role, you will have the opportunity to lead a team who will plan and deliver all ticketing, hospitality, guest programme & operations elements at Rugby World Cup Australia 2027

The successful candidate will have a strong project management background in Major Events, ideally leading or having a senior position in planning a sponsor guest programme involving multiple stand alone events and experience of managing significant budgets. The management of client relationships is key and the ability to manage multiple workstreams and stakeholders, across different time zones is essential.

You will lead a team of up to 20 people, located in both the UK & Australia and will have specific workstream leads across Accommodation, Transportation, Communications & Ticketing, Branding & Operations, Project Management, Staffing and Events. You will also oversee a large team of indirect reports (when considering local hosting staff) so must be comfortable being in a leadership position and aiding team development. The team will be a mix of Fuse colleagues and freelancers.

The ideal candidate will have a positive & flexible can-do attitude, be comfortable delegating as well as being prepared to get involved in all aspects of project delivery. A working knowledge of World Rugby is preferred but not essential.

Responsibilities Will Include, But Are Not Limited To

Project Management

Close liaison with the Head of Major Events to ensure the smooth delivery of the project and meeting of client KPIs
Acting as a senior contact and interface between client(s), client agencies, World Rugby, venue stakeholders and various suppliers
Acting as a contact and point of escalation between client, suppliers/ partners
Creation, on-going management, and circulation of project management tools including project plans, status documents related to the project
Creation of client presentations and preparation of client documents, as necessary

Guest Programmes

Planning and onsite delivery of a multi-day guest programme for approximately 200-600 guests at approximately six matches at Rugby World Cup Australia 2027
Begin initial planning across all workstreams until workstream leads are on board
Close liaison with all project workstream leads to ensure the smooth delivery of the overall guest experience 
Supporting the team throughout the project and ensuring that all agreed deadlines, submissions and artwork approvals are met
Creation and management of key project documents including but not limited to a project plan, security plan, stadium operations plan, event schedule, hour by hour documents for onsite and budget
Full ownership of guest programme budget with regular client reporting and oversight of supplier payments
Close liaison with Market Communications & Finance teams to ensure accurate tracking and timely billing of packages & additional costs to markets
Planning and attending venue visits and client meetings, as and when necessary 
Creation of client presentations and preparation of client documents, as necessary 
Close liaison with internal Fuse team to plan onsite staff logistics requirements (i.e. accommodation, flights, per diems etc)

Ticketing & Market Communications

Oversee the requesting, ordering, confirming and distribution of all tickets for Asahi across all 52 matches
Manage the set up and then oversee day-to-day running of the ticketing & guest management system and reporting
Oversee the on-going management, and circulation of project management tools including project plans and status documents related to the project. 
Oversee the team responsible for all market communications via market leads including; supporting local market leads with use of the online guest management system and shared mailbox management.

Hospitality

Oversee planning around all Stadium Hospitality options including World Rugby shared Partner Lounges, Private Lounges and Skyboxes.
Oversee planning around all ancillary hospitality events (Welcome Parties and Business Events)

Operations

Oversee the project management of brand visibility of bars within all stadia including fascia, menu boards, POSM etc,
Coordination with WR regarding branding of bars, location of 'hero bars', hitting deadlines for production
Main point of contact for WR and appointed suppliers re Asahi branding of bars and split of responsibilities across Asahi and World Rugby
Support local Asahi operations teams where escalation or integration is required with World Rugby

Event Delivery Onsite in Australia

 Onsite presence and guidance for team for all operational on-site days to oversee the delivery of the guest programme(s)
Onsite client management, including attendance at daily client meetings
Point of escalation for Fuse team, client(s), client agencies, and H&S teams.

Post Event 

 Post event client reporting to help shape and inform future programmes
Contribute to review of internal processes & make recommendations for improved ways of working for future Finals
Full ownership of budget reconciliation (cost & income)

Misc

Assisting with other ad hoc projects and events relating to Asahi x RWC 2027 as requested by the Head of Major Events

Desired Skills & Experience

Significant experience of managing high profile and complex guest programmes, ideally at Major Events, with £2m+ budgets 
Experience of working with global sports rights holders is essential and experience working with World Rugby is highly desirable.
Excellent client, stakeholder and relationship management skills and diplomacy 
Experience in managing multiple direct reports and a large workforce onsite 
Experience in overseeing and delivering multiple hospitality events within a guest programme 
Excellent project management skills, with the ability to adapt as required 
A working knowledge of sports stadium operations and Rugby, desirable but not essential 
Excellent attention to detail, yet ability to multi-task and think on your feet 
Experience in account management and sport sponsorship is desired 
Excellent project management and multitasking skills, with the ability work under pressure 
Enthusiastic, self-motivated and proactive 
Be able to anticipate team and clients’ needs to find ways to add value and be solutions orientated 
Presentation skills (verbal and written), internally and to clients / external parties 
Exceptional client servicing and communication skills (verbal and written) 
Excellent attention to detail and rigor 
Confident in liaising with multiple stakeholders, personable and able to build strong professional relationships 
Ability to work in a fast paced, high-pressure environment, including working across various time zones and international travel