Commercial Operations Manager

Closing date for applications is 29th 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.

About the role

Rugby World Cup Australia is seeking an experienced Commercial Operations Manager, to lead the planning and delivery of commercial partner rights across tournament venues and Fan Festivals, ensuring sponsors, suppliers, and stakeholders receive a world-class event experience and leverage their brand accordingly. Based in our Sydney office and reporting to the Head of Commercial Operations, you will work at the intersection of commercial partnerships and venue operations, you will coordinate multiple workstreams, suppliers, and operational teams to integrate partner requirements seamlessly into venue plans and tournament delivery.

This is a hands-on role for an experienced events or operations professional who thrives in complex, fast-paced environments. From representing commercial partner rights within venue operational planning and readiness activities to managing LED and virtual replacement signage programs, retail operations, and partner activations, you will be responsible for turning commercial commitments into operational reality. During the tournament, you will take on a key leadership role at a principal match venue, ensuring the successful on-site delivery of commercial activities and helping create an unforgettable tournament experience for partners, fans, and stakeholders alike.

Key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead the planning and delivery of commercial rights and benefits for Rugby World Cup Australia 2027 partners, ensuring contractual commitments are protected and executed effectively across venues and Fan Festivals.
• Manage venue operational planning and readiness activities, integrating commercial requirements into Venue Operations Planning (VOP) processes and ensuring all partner activity is approved, compliant, and operationally aligned.
• Serve as the primary liaison for LED and Virtual Replacement Technology (VRT) suppliers, overseeing signage planning, partner visibility, asset delivery, and on-site execution.
• Coordinate venue retail, pourage, payment, and other category-exclusive partner operations, ensuring commercial rights and activation requirements are delivered across tournament venues.
• Collaborate with internal teams, venues, agencies, and commercial partners to deliver unique partner promotions, activations, branding, venue dressing, and fan engagement initiatives.
• Utilise planning tools such as Iventis to manage partner and supplier footprints, activity on the match venue
• Provide partners with the means to access and operate on venue, where it is required. This will include accreditation, parking, permits and storage.
• Support tournament-time delivery by contributing to operational plans, training materials, and venue team readiness.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in event operations, commercial rights delivery, or a related field, ideally within sport events, major events, international events, or large-scale project environments.
• Solid understanding of commercial rights delivery and the successful implementation of sponsorship, branding, activation, signage, retail, or partner operations programmes.
• Proven ability to manage projects from planning through to execution, coordinating multiple workstreams, stakeholders, and competing priorities.
• Strong operational planning and venue readiness experience, with the ability to work within structured event delivery, governance, and approval processes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across internal teams, partners, suppliers, venues, and agencies.
• Highly organised and detail-oriented, with strong problem-solving skills, sound judgement, and the ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• A proactive, hands-on and adaptable approach, with excellent communication and presentation skills, a positive can-do attitude, and the ability to work autonomously while contributing to a collaborative team culture.
• Flexibility 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) 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 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.