Job title                      Project manager SportTech / Fifa World Cup 2030 
Mission                       Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Madrid
Education level             Higher vocational education
Number of hours          full time, 37,5 hours per week
Salary scale                 3.568 EUR - 4.043 EUR
Duration                      Temporary project contract for duration of 2 years
Startdate                     Mid March and in consultation with selected candidate           
Application deadline     31 January 2026

The importance of Spain, Morocco and Portugal for the Netherlands has grown significantly from an economic and strategic point of view, and there is increasing mutual interest in strengthening collaboration in key sectors. One of the areas where this momentum is particularly visible is sport and SportTech (smart stadiums, digital fan engagement, sustainability, connected infrastructure, etc.), driven by innovation, digitalization and large-scale events that mobilize public and private investment across the region. In 2030, the three countries will jointly host the FIFA World Cup.

Spain stands out as one of Europe’s most dynamic economies and is fully committed to leveraging Next Generation EU funds to modernize its industries, accelerate digital transformation, and promote sustainability.

Morocco is also preparing for major investments linked to the FIFA World Cup 2030, including modernizing stadiums, transport networks and tourism infrastructure. The 2030 World Cup represents a major opportunity for the country to improve its infrastructure and enhance its economic attractiveness. This historic collaboration requires the implementation of major infrastructure projects to meet FIFA requirements and provide an optimal experience for participants and spectators.

Regarding Portugal, concrete opportunities for Dutch businesses will be further investigated in the coming six months.

Several sectors are directly involved in the preparations and Dutch expertise - which is recognized worldwide in areas such as SportTech, infrastructure, sustainability and logistics - could bring considerable added value. As a network of embassies (Madrid, Rabat and Lisbon), we see the significant opportunities this creates for the Netherlands and aim to seize the momentum to position the Netherlands as a highly qualified, innovative and sustainable partner across Spain, Morocco and possibly Portugal. With the World Cup 2030 approaching, there is a clear window for strategic engagement, early positioning and matchmaking.

Our objectives are:

• Identifying opportunities for cooperation between Dutch companies and stakeholders in Spain, Morocco and possibly Portugal in light of the FIFA World Cup 2030.
• Increasing the visibility of the Netherlands as an innovative front runner in the field of sustainable and innovative solutions for the sports sector.
• Knowledge generation, expanding local networks, and strengthening connections with Dutch companies and institutions active in sports.
• Securing knowledge and networks serving the Dutch business community.

TASKS

• Develop a comprehensive strategy for the sports sector with a clear action plan. This entails inter alia:
• Conduct in-depth opportunity mapping, including:
  • Identifying Dutch companies’ strengths and matching them with concrete opportunities.
  • Connecting these opportunities with Dutch stakeholders and sector organisations.
  • Setting up and monitoring an information page for WC2030 tenders and procurement opportunities.
• Initiate and organize trade promotion activities to inform and position Dutch companies for relevant developments and projects (e.g. seminars/webinars, missions, exhibition visits, matchmaking programs, and signaling opportunities and tenders);
• Organize events to build and strengthen the network with governments, business and academic stakeholders in the Netherlands as well as the host countries;
• Act as the first point of contact for trade inquiries and serve as Pre-PIB (Partners for International Business) contact for Orange Sports Forum (OSF), Regional Development Companies (ROMs) and other Dutch partners;
• Generate answers to questions from ministries in The Hague to the embassies regarding relevant themes as well as to Dutch businesses;
• Coordinate a WC2030 taskforce to be established across the embassies in an effective and timely manner and use the information to write excellent reports for stakeholders in The Hague as well as for the Digital Trade Office ( https://www.handelmetspanje.com ) and use our social media channels to get our message across;
• Ensure alignment between public and private partners (i.e. at least Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), Dutch companies, OSF and ROM’s);
• Ensure a well-organized handover of all the knowledge and the network built, as well as the obtained results, to the embassies after finalizing the assignment as project manager.

The person we are looking for has the following qualifications, skills and profile:

Qualifications:

• Higher vocational education and relevant work experience (at least 5 years);
• General understanding of EU, Spanish, Moroccan, Portuguese and Dutch policymaking, including public administration and institutional working methods;
• Knowledge of and relevant experience with sports developments and events, both at local level and in the Netherlands; relevant networks are an asset;
• Proven experience in logistical and organizational tasks, project coordination and stakeholder management;
• Excellent command of Spanish (oral and written, C2 level);
• Very good command of English and French (oral and written, B2 level);
• Knowledge of Dutch is a plus;

Skills:

• Excellent communication skills vis-à-vis third parties, including at senior level;
• Strong written, oral and presentation skills;
• Experience with matchmaking between companies and government stakeholders;
• Creative, hands-on and effective in organizing visits, events and matchmaking activities;
• Affinity with digital tools, social media and online communication platforms, and ability to adapt communication styles to different target audiences;

Profile:

• Energetic goal-getter, performing with a considerable level of independence and seniority while working closely with colleagues;
• Well-organised, responsible, proactive, service-minded, flexible and stress-resistant team player;
• Eager to assist Dutch companies with ambitions in Spain, Morocco and Portugal;
• Based in Spain, with availability to travel to Morocco and possibly Portugal (to be coordinated with the relevant embassies and in line with the action plan).

• initiative
• networking
• political sensitivity
• analytical skills
• ability to communicate in writing
• ability to plan and organise
• flexibility
• creativity
• client orientation
• cultural sensitivity
• integrity

Diversity and inclusion

Both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Netherlands Embassies in Spain, Morocco and Portugal have an active diversity policy and are committed to being an inclusive organization. We do this by harnessing people's differences and by creating a work culture where everyone can be themselves and feels valued. In the composition of teams and in the recruitment of new employees, we strive for diversity in age, gender (identity), culture, religion, background, orientation, (work) disability, knowledge and competencies, among others. 

The Embassy

The embassy in Madrid represents Dutch interests in Spain and forms part of the network of diplomatic missions worldwide, run by the ministry of Foreign Affairs. We work in a broad range of policy and operational areas. From political to social affairs, from security to economy and trade, from agriculture to consular affairs and from culture to migration. In order to do our work, we have a broad network among the central and local authorities, politicians, the private sector, civil society, journalists, academia, cultural institutions and the Dutch community in Spain.

The Embassy is located in one of the Cuatro Torres Business Area in the North of Madrid, which offers a spacious and light office space with magnificent views of the city and the Sierra. We currently have around 60 employees, including interns and trainees. We have around 15 diplomatic staff members, that either work for the ministry of Foreign Affairs or other ministries or governmental organisations. The majority of the team consists of locally recruited staff. Outside Madrid, there is also a Netherlands Business Support Office (NBSO) with staff in Barcelona and Valencia, and we have a network of 9 Honorary Consuls located in different areas in Spain with strong ties with the Netherlands for consular or economic reasons.

Economic department
The economic department monitors macroeconomic developments and reforms in Spain and Spain's position in the EU that are relevant to the Netherlands and reports on them. In addition it focuses, in collaboration with the agricultural department of the embassy and the NBSO in Barcelona and Valencia, on promoting trade between the Netherlands and Spain. The team currently consists of a department head and 3,5 full time employees. The team is supported by a secretariat and usually an intern is part of the team. The project manager contributes to the various relevant activities. The work package is established in close consultation with the colleagues in the embassies of Spain, Morocco and Portugal.

Our values

We offer an environment where results, team-spirit, pro-activity, initiatives and ideas to improve our work are valued. Our employees enjoy the freedom to organize their work, departing from a trust based model where all employees take responsibility and ownership of their tasks. We help and support each other, and learn from each other.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Spain offers a Spanish full-time, temporary employment contract, a Spanish identification number (DNI or NIE), as well as a Spanish Social security number are required. It concerns a local position with corresponding salary and employment conditions of the Dutch Embassy in Spain. Working conditions are according to Spanish laws and regulations, regulations of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Legal Status Regulations for Local Employees 2020 (RLW 2020), established by the Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as the related postal elaboration for Spain (Puw). A trial period of 2 months applies.
HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application letter, your résumé (CV) and two references to the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Spain by email to: mad-hr@minbuza.nl

Deadline:  31 January 2026. Applications received passed the deadline will not be considered. In principle week 6 and 7 2026 the job interviews will take place.

For more information regarding the position, please contact mad-hr@minbuza.nl