Closing date for applications is 27th July 2026
Full time Fixed Term Contract start September 2026 until November 2027
Location: Sydney (Gadigal), Australia
The Rugby World Cup Australia (RWCA) is proud to deliver one of the world’s most iconic sporting events — the Rugby World Cup 2027 (Men’s). More than a tournament, it’s a celebration of Rugby’s spirit, Australia’s culture, and the power of sport to unite and inspire communities around the world.
Rugby World Cup Australia is seeking an experienced Arrival & Departures Manager to lead the planning, development, and delivery of all airport arrival and departure operations across the tournament. Based in Sydney and reporting to the Head of Transport, this critical role will be responsible for ensuring seamless and efficient entry and exit experiences for teams, match officials, World Rugby personnel, guests, tournament workforce, and other key stakeholders travelling throughout the competition. The position will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering airport operations across all host cities, with a focus on operational excellence, stakeholder satisfaction, and creating a world-class arrival and departure experience suitable to a global sporting event.
Working closely with airport authorities, airlines, Border Force, government agencies, host city partners, and internal teams, you will lead the development of comprehensive airport operational plans, including welcome services, passenger flow management, immigration processes, transport interfaces, fleet and bus operations, and airport venue management. You will establish and maintain strong relationships with a broad range of stakeholders to ensure all airport procedures, infrastructure, and services are aligned to tournament requirements and deliver a seamless customer journey from arrival through to final departure.
Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Lead the planning and delivery of all airport arrivals and departures operations across Rugby World Cup Australia, ensuring a seamless experience for teams, match officials, World Rugby personnel, guests, workforce, and other key stakeholders.
- Develop and implement airport operations plans across all host cities, including passenger flows, welcome services, immigration processes, transport interfaces, fleet and bus operations, and airport venue management.
- Manage relationships with airport authorities, airlines, Border Force, government agencies, host cities, and service providers to ensure airport infrastructure, processes, and services are aligned with tournament requirements.
- Oversee all arrivals and departures requirements within the Tournament Management System (TMS), ensuring accurate planning, coordination, and operational readiness throughout the tournament.
- Lead the recruitment, development, and management of the Arrival & Departures team, including the delivery of staff and volunteer training to support successful operational delivery.
- Collaborate closely with Transport, Travel, Team Services, Security, Accreditation, Host Cities, and Logistics teams to ensure integrated planning and the successful execution of airport operations.
- Manage budgets, project deliverables, operational risks, policies, and procedures, ensuring all arrivals and departures activities are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with tournament objectives, timelines, and stakeholder expectations.
Qualifications & Experience
- 3–5+ years’ experience in transport, airport, aviation, or arrivals and departures operations
- Experience within major events and/or sporting events or large-scale event environments - essential
- Experience planning and delivering complex operational plans, with a strong track record of meeting project milestones, deadlines, and service requirements.
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with experience working collaboratively with airports, airlines, government agencies, service providers, and cross-functional teams.
- Experience using transport, tournament, or event management systems, supported by sound project management capabilities and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- Proven leadership experience, including recruiting, developing, and motivating high-performing teams, ideally across multiple locations.
- Excellent organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, assess risks, and maintain exceptional attention to detail.
- Strong communication, financial, and operational management skills, with experience managing budgets, resources, and delivering outcomes in fast-paced, stakeholder-driven environments.
- Flexible and willing to travel domestically and work outside standard business hours when required.
Why You’ll Love It Here
- Competitive salary: We know world-class talent deserves to be rewarded.
- Hybrid game plan: Work from home on Mondays and Fridays, with a 3-day in-office schedule (Tues–Thu), moving to full-time in-office in 2027 as the tournament approaches.
- Unbeatable location: A modern space across from Sydney’s Hyde Park , just a 5-minute walk from Town Hall , surrounded by public transport, great cafes, restaurants, and shops.
- Wellbeing first: Weekly fresh fruit, Lunch and learns and a focus on keeping our team feeling their best on and off the field.
- Locker-room ready: Showers, fresh towels, and Dyson hair tools so you can reset and refresh any time.
- Team spirit: Weekly drinks and social catchups that celebrate wins big and small.
- Make your mark: Play a key role in bringing the third largest sporting event in the world to life right here in Australia!
Australia’s hosting of the Rugby World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow the game, celebrate our people and culture, and deliver lasting social and economic impact. At the heart of our mission is diversity, inclusion, and legacy ensuring Rugby’s growth benefits all and inspires a new generation of players, fans, and communities. Join us in shaping an unforgettable celebration of Rugby, culture, and community.
How to apply:
Please submit your CV (maximum 3 pages) and cover letter outlining your suitability based on the requirements for the role via the APPLY NOW link. Only suitable candidates will be contacted.
In setting expectations, there will be a 2-round interview process in our Sydney office.
All applicants need to be able to obtain their own unlimited working rights in Australia.
We do not accept unsolicited CVs from recruitment agencies and no fees will be payable.
Rugby World Cup Australia is committed to building a diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality and inclusion and welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background and are happy to provide reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process. We strive to be a diverse and inclusive workplace, which reflects the global sport we want to be and where everyone can be themselves and feel they belong.
