Project Director - Events, Hospitality & Operations

About The Role

Reporting to:
Head of Major Events, Fuse Events Team

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. The role includes leading a team that plans and delivers all ticketing, hospitality, guest programme, and operations elements for 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 managing significant budgets. Client relationship management is key, with the ability to manage multiple work streams, stakeholders, and time zones.

You will lead a team of up to 20 people located in the UK & Australia, with workstream leads for Accommodation, Transportation, Communications & Ticketing, Branding & Operations, Project Management, Staffing, and Events. You will also oversee a large team of indirect reports when working with local hosting staff and must be comfortable in a leadership role and aiding team development.

The ideal candidate will have a positive, flexible can‑do attitude, be comfortable delegating, be prepared to get involved in all aspects of project delivery, and have a working knowledge of World Rugby if possible.

• Close liaison with the Head of Major Events to ensure smooth delivery and meeting of client KPIs.
• Act as senior contact and interface between client(s), client agencies, World Rugby, venue stakeholders, and suppliers.
• Act as a contact and point of escalation between client, suppliers/partners.
• Create, manage, and circulate project management tools including project plans and status documents.
• Prepare client presentations and documents as needed.

• Plan and deliver a multi‑day guest programme for approximately 200–600 guests at around six matches.
• Begin initial planning across all work streams until leads are on board.
• Liaise closely with all workstream leads to ensure smooth delivery and meet deadlines.
• Manage key project documents such as project plan, security plan, stadium operations plan, event schedule, hourly documents, and budget.
• Own the guest programme budget, providing regular client reporting and overseeing supplier payments.
• Liaise with Market Communications & Finance teams for accurate billing and tracking.
• Attend venue visits and client meetings as necessary.
• Coordinate onsite staff logistics (accommodation, flights, per diems) with internal Fuse team.

• Oversee ticket request, order, confirmation, and distribution for Asahi across all 52 matches.
• Set up and oversee day‑to‑day running of the ticketing and guest management system and reporting.
• Manage ongoing project management tools and status documents.
• Lead the team responsible for market communications via market leads, including use of the online guest management system and shared mailbox.

• Plan all Stadium Hospitality options, including World Rugby shared partner lounges, private lounges, and skyboxes.
• Plan all ancillary hospitality events, such as welcome parties and business events.

• Manage brand visibility of bars within all stadia (fascia, menu boards, POSM, etc.).
• Coordinate with World Rugby on bar branding and schedule.
• Serve as main contact for World Rugby and suppliers regarding Asahi branding of bars.
• Support local Asahi operations where escalation or integration with World Rugby is required.

• Provide onsite presence and guidance for all operational days to oversee the guest programme delivery.
• Manage onsite client meetings and act as point of escalation for the Fuse team, client(s), agencies, and H&S teams.

• Deliver post‑event client reporting and shape future programmes.
• Review internal processes and recommend improvements.
• Own budget reconciliation (cost & income).

• Assist with other ad‑hoc projects and events related to Asahi x RWC 2027 as requested by the Head of Major Events.

• Significant…