Manager, Sport Planning & Operations

The Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games will be hosted in Los Angeles, California in 2028, returning to the United States for the first time in over 30 years. 2028 will be the first time LA hosts the Paralympic Games, creating an opportunity to expand awareness, understanding and inclusion of people with disabilities.

LA28, the organizers for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, is on a mission to create an unparalleled Games experience for athletes, fans, partners, our community and our people. Our vision is to collectively create what’s next through sport, community and the power of our differences.

The 2028 Olympics and Paralympics will represent LA and leverage the strength of our community’s diversity and creativity as we collectively work to design a Games that we all want to be a part of. We do this by focusing on people and by inviting everyone into the story of the LA28 Games.

The LA28 organizing committee is an independent, non-profit organization that is privately funded and governed by a board of directors. 

Our Vision is to collectively create what’s next by harnessing sport, community and the power of our differences. Our Mission is to create an unparalleled Paralympic and Olympic Games for athletes, fans, partners, our community and our people.

Values and Behaviors:

• Optimism – Embody a positive, enthusiastic, and solution-oriented attitude in everything we do; challenge the status quo, inspire and support one another to achieve our best; have our eyes on the future and believe we can make a meaningful impact
• Integrity – We communicate openly and honestly, listen, and respectfully value multiple perspectives; we do what we say and are accountable for everything we do; we do the right thing, always. Even when it isn’t easy
• Excellence – We hold ourselves to the highest standard and expectations; we live our values and truths and persevere through challenges; we are continuous learners and adapt and pivot with speed to meet changing needs
• Inclusion – We seek to represent, include, empower and level the playing field; our work reflects the communities we serve and the world in which we live; we leverage our platforms to bring awareness to issues relevant to who we are
• Co-Creation – We are authors of a shared story. Everyone contributes their unique voice to our shared mission; we share pride in our accomplishments and ownership of our shortcomings
• Boldness – We embrace creativity, courage and outside-the-box thinking; we are unafraid to take risks, explore unconventional solutions, and learn from the process; we are innovators, disruptors, and challengers of the status quo

Manager, Sport Planning & Operations:

The Sport Planning & Operations Manager will play a critical role within the LA28 Sport team, reporting to the Senior Director Sport and leading and contributing to centralized planning deliverables, operations and services of the Sport function. This role will work within Sport and with the Competition Management team to progress function planning deliverables and act as a point of entry to Sport with other LA28 Functions requiring centralized plans from each FA. In addition, the position will lead on the planning, testing and operation of several Games-time sport operations and Games-time services. Note that this role is one of two roles, and the following responsibilities will be distributed between two managers based on experience and skillset.  

The role will be expected to collaborate within the Sport department as well as other LA28 functions within (i.e. Accommodations, Accreditation, Transportation, Logistics, etc.), and across the organization (including but not limited to Finance & Procurement, Communications, Athlete Relations, Strategy, Marketing, Commercial, Technology, and HR). 

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as a point of entry in Sport for other LA28 Functions to request sport information for planning purposes
• Coordinate with Sport Competition on the collection and validation of centralized requests for planning information from other Functions
• Lead on cross-functional projects that involve sport operations and stakeholders, presenting assessments of sport function and sport specific requirements and service levels   
• Validate and update key sport information within the LA28 Data Warehouse and other source of truth documents
• Lead on Sport Workforce planning for Games-time, providing support to the rest of Sport team on related deliverables
• Manage the National Technical Officials and Sport Skilled Volunteers candidate pool assessment and development requirements, liaising with the NGBs and sport community
• Develop all sport agnostic Sport Policies and Procedures for Games-time and support other subject matter experts in the Sport department to draft sport specific policies and procedures
• Review and feedback on other Function policies and procedures that impact Sport and sport stakeholders
• Act as the project manager for the sport testing calendar and manage the development of sport’s testing and readiness plans including risk assessment 

Sport Operations 

• Develop scope and services of Games-time operations for Sport Information Center(s), Sport Village Operations, and the Sport Operations Center
• Develop operating plans for Sport Information Center(s) and Sport Village Operations, contributing to the Village Operating Plan
• Draft the Sport Operations Center operating plan and train and educate Sport staff on Games-time implementation of Sport’s C3 plan
• Coordinate Sport’s contribution to multi-sport training venue operating plans
• Support recruitment and hiring of Games-time workforce for Sport Operations 

Other Sport Projects/Services 

• Act as the project manager for other Sport Planning and Operations workstreams until dedicated resources are in place including:
• Sport Publications
• Sport Content and Image Approvals
• Sport Equipment
• Manage the relationship, coordinate the planning, and support the integration of external delivery partners involved in the following workstreams:
• Sport Entries
• Weather Services
• Wheelchair & Prosthetic Repair 

Program Management & Function Reporting 

• Manage updates to Sport’s master schedule and milestones
• Provide reports and updates on the status of milestones and deliverables within the Sport department
• Author Sport updates, presentations and reports to be used internally and externally to communicate progress and issues within the Sport department
• Support the development of budgets and projects plans with well researched and validated information 

Background & Qualifications:

• 5-7 years’ experience in project and program management, ideally in the sport’s industry 

• Experience working cross-functionally on project delivery 

• Extremely detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills  

• Well-developed problem-solving skills and ability to work independently to resolve issues  

• Fluent working with Office suite products including Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint  

• Self-starter with experience in defining tasks, seeking feedback, and evolving work  

• Required proven ability of building good interpersonal relationships with people across the organization, while balancing assertiveness with diplomacy  

• Ability to implement and manage change effectively  

• Demonstrated commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.  

• Experience considering diverse groups of athletes in Sport planning and delivery, with special attention to how ability, gender, and other identities impact different athletes’ experiences. 

Position Requirements:

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions 

• Ability to work in an office environment, based in Los Angeles, CA  

• The majority of work may be conducted in an office setting, requiring extended periods of time using computers, phones, and other office equipment  

• This position will require international, domestic, and local trips for IF and NGB events/congresses, as well as venue tours in the Los Angeles area during official IF site visits 

• International travel may involve travelling to different countries to observe global sporting events and will require a valid Passport. We anticipate international travel to be 1 - 2 times per year for 1 to 2-week intervals. Approximately 20% or less of working hours.  

• Domestic travel may involve traveling within the United States to observe global sporting events.  Anticipated travel can be 0-3 times per year.  

• Local travel will consist of visiting local venues that LA28 is considering using as a competition and training venue as well as competition and training venues in Co-host Cities. Attendance and meetings with local sport clubs, colleges and related organizations may also require local travel as well as observing at local sport events. Anticipated travel can be 0-2 times per month and can increase as 2028 approaches.    

• All of the travel will require the candidate to bring their own luggage.  

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required  

Expectations:

• Ideal candidate will have knowledge of the Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as a background in sport  

• Strong communication, team building, and interpersonal skills  

• A collaborative mindset; someone who prioritizes the team and fosters a culture of high performance without ego  

• An innovative viewpoint, willing to challenge the status quo and thinking ahead to the future possibilities within the Movement  

• Ability to work effectively in a close team environment

Submission Requirements:

• Resume

The application window for this position will close on Friday, February 28, 2025 or until we have reached the maximum number of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as you are able.

The annual base salary range for this position is $ 85,000.00 - $105,000.00. The pay scale provided is the range that LA28 reasonably expects to pay as starting base compensation for this role. All LA28 compensation remains subject to final determination based on individual candidate qualifications, experience, or other reasonable criteria consistent with LA28’s operational business needs and applicable law.

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

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LA28 is committed to operating fair and unbiased recruitment procedures allowing all applicants an equal opportunity for employment, free from discrimination on the basis of religion, race, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, color, ethnic or national origin, or any other classification as may be protected by applicable law. We strive to build a team that is diverse, inclusive and encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities to apply. We will consider all qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with local law. We assess applications based on relevant skills, education, and experience a candidate can add to our team.