Manager, Protocol

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

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 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. 

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, Protocol:

The External Affairs team engages regularly with a wide range of stakeholders, including elected and appointed officials and their staff at the international, federal, state, and local levels and community organizations. The Protocol team is responsible for defining, validating, and coordinating service levels with other relevant Functional Areas (FA) and stakeholders’ representatives within the OCOG (Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games) and external stakeholders in addition to ensuring ceremonial protocol with Flags and Anthems throughout the planning cycle. 

LA28’s Protocol Manager will have a significant role in driving progress for key initiatives including, but not limited to: the International Dignitary Program, the Domestic Dignitary Program, Flag Protocol, and Anthem Protocol. Reporting to the Head of Protocol, they will support the day-to-day engagement with our internal and external stakeholders across these many categories, including through coordinating, providing briefing materials and tracking key workstreams.  They will be responsible for helping design and drive strategies and initiatives that enhance our relationships, secure necessary support, and allow us to leave a lasting legacy on the global stage.  

This individual will be critical for upholding the highest standards of diplomatic etiquette, ceremonial representation, and ensuring seamless engagement for all Games-time ceremonial formalities. 

Key Responsibilities:

Central Planning 

• Operationalize strategic goals set by the Head of Protocol into actionable plans 
• Manage status tracking and reporting tools reflecting progress on Protocol and LA28 FA (Funcational Area) milestones and deliverable status 
• Serve as a key member of the Protocol team, contributing to the overall direction and leadership of the department  
• Drive the development and execution of detailed operational plans for all Protocol touchpoints, including Dignitary Programs, Flag Protocol, and Anthem Protocol. 
• Oversee readiness activities, including scenario planning, simulations, and test events, ensuring alignment with the broader Games-time operational timelines 
• Support the Protocol growth strategy, onboarding process, and day-to-day leadership of future team members 

Dignitary Planning 

• Drive cross-functional alignment for dignitary arrival and departure logistics, security, seating plans, and more ensure stakeholder service-levels are defined throughout the organization 
• Manage planning and delivery of the Protocol Coordination Center during Games-Time 
• Support development of the Dignitary Assistants Program 
• Liaise with external stakeholders including, U.S. Department of State and varied Games-specific international communities including embassies, foreign governments, and Consular Offices, to promote LA28’s priorities on the global stage. 
• Represent LA28 at meetings and seminars, coordinating required meetings and presenting updates to regional stakeholders 

Flag & Anthem Protocol 

• Support end-to-end planning and delivery of flag and anthem protocols across all venues, ceremonies and protocol moments 
• Manage procurement, quality control, and inventory for flags and anthems for 205 nations and regions  
• Coordinate anthem sourcing and licensing of anthems for Ceremonial and Sport Presentations as required 
• Oversee training and scheduling of ceremony teams as required 

Stakeholder Relations 

• Integrate with LA28 FAs as a trusted and valuable central resource to support their planning; especially in the areas of Government Relations, Games Family Services, Security, Transportation, Venues, and Ceremonies. 
• Develop metrics for relationship-building activities and maintain trusted, transparent, and authentic relationships with global stakeholders 

Background & Qualifications

Position Requirements:

• Past large scale international sports and events experience is a plus  
• Minimum 5+ years of relevant experience in protocol and international affairs 
• International experience and foreign language skills are a plus 
• Experience working with U.S. government agencies (U.S. Department of State) and/or foreign governments strongly preferred. 
• Demonstrated capabilities in project management Software (Smartsheets, Asana, etc.)  
• Fluency working with Office suite products, with demonstrated ability to utilize advanced features/functions in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, and an ability to adapt rapidly to new organizational tools as they are integrated by LA28  
• Deep interest and passion for sports, global affairs, and the intersection of sports and diplomacy 
• Demonstrated commitment to co-creation and collaborative decision-makingStrong communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills   
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and contribute under pressure, see a project through to completion, and meet tight deadlines .  
• Extremely detail-oriented with excellent organizational, operational and program execution skills   
• Ability to manage confidential information with professionalism and discretion 
• A high energy level, entrepreneurial spirit, and the ability to thrive through a period of change and growth  

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions 

• Availability to work in-person five days a week in a Los Angeles-based office and, as required, to attend in-person meetings and events all across the County and region   
• The LA28 office is an open floorplan working environment, employees must be able to work efficiently in an open cubicle environment.   
• Hours of work may vary, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, especially during peak event periods. 
• Ability to conduct site visits to various Games venues, including airports, hotels, competition and non-competition locations. 

Education:

• An undergraduate degree in International Relations, Government or related field or equivalent work experience  

Expectations:

• Innovative Approach – Ability to identify opportunities, develop new ideas and execute on creative concepts while managing to a budget  
• Influencing Skills – Ability to drive organizational alignment through collaboration  
• Flexible Approach – Ability to roll with the transitional nature of the organization as it grows and establishes itself over the next 3 years  
• Challenger Mindset – Inclination to drive ongoing improvement in people and process

Submission Requirements:

• Resume

The annual base salary range for this position is $88,000.00-115,000.00. 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.

LA28 is committed to 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. LA28 will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance and all applicable laws. We strive to build a team that is inclusive and encourage qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities to apply. We assess applications based on relevant skills, education, and experience a candidate can add to our team.