Sr. Associate, NOC Relations & Planning - Asia & Oceania
Summary
Coordinates and supports National Olympic Committees in Asia and Oceania for the 2028 LA Olympics, managing communications, planning, and event operations.
LA28 is the independent, non-profit, privately funded organizing committee for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are on a singular mission to create an Olympic and Paralympic Games that celebrate all that this city and country have to offer, delivering an unparalleled experience for athletes, fans, partners and our community.
The 2028 Games mark the return of the Summer Games to the U.S. for the first time in 32 years and Los Angeles’ third time hosting an Olympic Games and first time welcoming the Paralympic Games. This presents the unique and exciting opportunity to celebrate our legacy with the Games and push the Olympic and Paralympic Movements forward, writing a new chapter of Games history in Los Angeles.
Putting on an Olympic and Paralympic Games is a team sport. To build a Games unlike any the world has seen before, we need the best team in place–a team full of perspectives, experiences and expertise. We are guided by the following set of values and behaviors–optimism, integrity, excellence, inclusion, co-creation and boldness–and look forward to hearing about how your past experiences align with them.
Title: Senior Associate, NOC Relations and Planning – Asia and Oceania
The Team: The National Olympic and Paralympic Committee Services (NCS) Team’s aims is to engage, empower, and support 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and 185 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) in the preparation and planning of the most seamless, innovative, and engaging Games experience ever for their athletes, team officials, and delegation members.
NCS is organized into two key workstreams: Relations & Planning and Services and Operations. These two workstreams create a trusted and impactful client-centered cross-functional team which delivers the opportunities, channels, and support required for NOCs and NPCs to successfully engage with LA28, and to prepare to bring their athletes and delegations to the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The NCS team is also charged with the creation and management of a range of critical programs and services in accordance with LA28, IOC (International Olympic Committee), and IPC (International Paralympic Committee) guidelines in the lead-up to and throughout the Games-time period including workshops, seminars, reporting, and operation centers.
Position Summary:
The NOC Relations and Planning Sr. Associate for Asia and Oceania will play a critical role within the LA28 NCS team, reporting directly to the NOC Relations and Planning Manager for Asia and Oceania, while supporting aspects of service level planning, client management, communications, and support for a portfolio of National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
This role supports and leads the implementation of a robust engagement strategy that provides timely, transparent, and effective channels of communication between NOCs, and LA28. They will work to build a strong understanding of the requirements and needs of their assigned client group and support the representation of those needs across the organization in client planning activities.
The NOC Relations and Planning Sr. Associate will regularly support the collaboration with, and alignment on, service level planning with a portfolio of LA28 functional areas (FAs), which may include Accreditation, Accommodations, Transport, Food & Beverage, Sports, Villages, and much more. Additionally, they will be appointed to coordinate and/or support core NCS projects and programs in the lead-up to and during the Games-time period.
Key Responsibilities:
NOC Relations:
- Cultivate and maintain trusted, transparent, and authentic client relationships with 15-25 NOCs.
- Track day-to-day client correspondence ensuring timely, transparent, and clear communications.
- Lead the review and production of key documents, policies, and client informational resources, and support the distribution of those resources to clients in a timely, consistent and coordinated manner.
- Lead client escalation pathway throughout the Games lifecycle, consolidating client issues/feedback and subsequent issue resolution.
- Lead the coordination and delivery of highly impactful NOC visits including generation of post-visit follow-ups and reports.
- Lead the delivery of all pre-Games readiness activities for NOCs including the NOC Chefs de Mission Seminar.
- Support LA28 presence at meetings and seminars.
NOC & NPC Planning:
- Cultivate and maintain trusted, transparent, and authentic cross-functional relationships with 8-10 Functional Areas (FAs).
- Lead NOC and LA28 FA discovery meetings, presentations, and planning sessions to capture key information and trends in NOC planning.
- Monitor the athlete journey from touch-down to take-off, validating service levels and venue plans impacting the NOC delegation
- Integrate with LA28 FAs as a trusted and valuable central resource of NOC specific information to support their planning.
- Manage status tracking and reporting tools reflecting progress on NCS and LA28 FA milestones.
- Implement strategies to mitigate identified gaps and meet the demands of NOC delegations.
- Conduct critical reviews, edits and validations of publications from other FAs to ensure accuracy and compliance prior to their release and submission to NOCs and NPCs.
Games-time Operations:
- Perform a wide range of activities, including stress tests at the Village, setup and preparation of workspaces, coordination of team arrivals, delegation registration, and allocation, and nightshifts.
- Support, execute, and oversee projects across functional areas, ensuring alignment with communicated timelines, deliverables, and expected outcomes.
- Serve as a critical member of the Games-time event operations and support of the NCS Service Center.
- Serve as a key point of contact for assigned NOCs during Games-time.
- Effectively implement critical Games-time processes such as issue capture, resolution management, client communications.
Support all other duties as assigned which may include tasks such as NOC move-in activities, distribution of NOC assets, daily reporting, Ceremonies support, critical situation support, Paralympic Games support, and more.
Background Requirements:
PREFERRED experience:
- 4+ years' direct experience with a National Olympic and/or Paralympic Committee, National Governing Body or National Federation, or similar.
- Global Business Exposure: Experience collaborating with international organizations or conducting business across Asia and Oceania region.
- International Relations: Experience in global engagement, cultural awareness, and international client management.
- Multilingual: English as primary working language; fluent written and spoken Russian, Arabic or other regional language desired.
- Sport Industry Expertise: Background in sport organizations, membership management, or account management.
- Major Event Operations: Hands-on experience delivering large-scale events or managing complex and demanding event operations.
- Core Event Functions: Familiarity with key operational areas such as sport events, client services, international relations, transportation, accommodations, logistics, accreditation, and food and beverage.
- Olympic and Paralympic Knowledge: Understanding the structure, protocols, and requirements of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Expertise:
- Customer-Centric Mindset: Demonstrated commitment to delivering exceptional service and operational support.
- Client Management: Proven ability to navigate complex environments with multiple internal and external partners.
- Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal skills with a track record of fostering positive, collaborative relationships.
- Detail Orientated and Accountability: Exceptional attention to detail, strong sense of ownership, and proficiency in documentation.
- Communication and Collaboration: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; adept at team building and co-creating solutions through collaborative decision-making.
- Problem-Solving: Well-developed analytical and critical thinking skills to address challenges effectively.
- Independent Execution: Ability to work autonomously, prioritize tasks, and resolve issues with minimal supervision.
- Proactive Approach: Self-starter with experience in defining objectives, seeking feedback, and iterating work products.
- Adaptability and Teamwork: Thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments; capable of managing multiple priorities and deadlines while contributing to a close-knit team.
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE:
- Team player who values the success of the team over self
- Creative problem-solver and critical thinker
- Service-oriented and reliable
- Great communicator and unifier
- Assertive and confident in the ability to drive results
- Displays the highest levels of integrity and commitment
- Values inclusiveness in all its forms
- Enthusiastic about sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games
- Comfortable in front-facing interactions with organizations
- Able to act decisively under pressure
EDUCATION / TRAINING / CERTIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required
- Experience working with Office suite products including Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
- Experience working in Smartsheet or other project management tools
- Experience with data analytics and reporting tools a plus
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Available to work onsite in our Downtown Los Angeles-based office.
- The majority of work will be conducted in an office setting, requiring extended periods of time using computers, phones, and other office equipment.
- 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.
- Perform other duties as required; the role will evolve over time and will include operational responsibilities during the Olympic and Paralympic Games which will shift the working environment to a Games-time venue.
The annual base salary range for this position is $73,000-$95,000. 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.