Senior Manager National Team Relations

Team: Clubs, National Teams & Players

Activity: Full-time

Role grade: Senior Manager (7)

Direct reports: 0

Indirect reports: 0

Reporting to: Director, Clubs, National Teams & Players

Role location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Job Purpose: As the Senior Manager “Head Of” National Team Relations”, you will lead EWCF’s governance and relationship framework for national partner organizations, country-based team representatives, and national teams participating in the Esports Nations Cup (ENC).

You will lead the development of a global national team and national player ecosystem, designing sustainable governance frameworks that enable long-term competitive growth and a new chapter of national-driven esports popularity. This role oversees the creation and enforcement of eligibility structures, compliance standards, and transparent operating models to ensure all national representatives compete under professional and fair conditions. You will manage and grow strategic relationships with national partners, operators, and cross-sector national stakeholders, guiding countries through selection and roster formation while building systems that allow national teams to commercially sustain and rally national esports fans behind them. The role also ensures world-class operational support across preparation, logistics, and onsite competition delivery.

This role forms the backbone of the ENC ecosystem, shaping long-term international esports governance and elevating the competitive and administrative quality of national teams worldwide.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the development and continuous refinement of the National Team Governance Model, including policies, eligibility, and participation requirements, in alignment with club relations, player rights, and content and merchandise frameworks through close coordination with internal stakeholders.

• Establish clear and objective standards for recognizing national partners and teams, especially in regions without formalized governance structures.

• Develop and maintain compliance frameworks governing selection processes, roster approvals, eligibility verification, integrity controls, and dispute-resolution mechanisms.

• Serve as EWCF’s primary liaison to national partners, and authorized country-based representatives, as well as national teams

• Build structured communication pathways with leadership stakeholders responsible for national team selection, governance, and operational management.

• Support emerging markets in transitioning from club-operated national teams to more structured, transparent governance systems where appropriate.

• Work closely with Integrity, Legal, and Risk teams to uphold anti-manipulation, safeguarding, and compliance standards across national entities.

• Collaborate with Player Relations teams to harmonize procedures for national team players relative to broader tournament policies.

• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to develop and execute national team agreements, compliance documentation, and financial support structures.

• Develop and maintain dashboards tracking national partners, governance maturity, compliance adherence, roster quality, and operational preparedness.

• Produce insights and recommendations to strengthen regional governance structures, pathways, and performance.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in International Relations, Sports Governance, Business Administration, Legal or a related field.

• 7+ years of proven track record in the sports, gaming or esports industry, or in international organizations and international policy agencies. (Experience working with sports ministries, sports federations, international tournaments or multi-team global events is highly preferred).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep understanding of global sports and/or esports governance, national representation structures, and country-based competitive systems.

• Strong diplomatic and intercultural communication skills, with experience managing sensitive international relationships.

• Proven people leadership skills with experience managing, developing, and performance-guiding cross-functional teams.

• Strong capability in developing clear, compelling strategic presentations, with the ability to translate complex governance, stakeholder, and operational topics into executive-ready materials.

• Advanced capability in designing governance frameworks, eligibility structures, and compliance processes.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Fluency in other languages (Arabic, Mandarin, etc.) is a plus.

• Exceptional project management and event planning skills.

• Skilled at conflict resolution, high-pressure decision-making, and crisis management.

• Ability to operate across diverse cultural contexts and support countries with varying levels of esports maturity.

Benefits

• Relocation support

• Transportation allowance

• Competitive compensation

• Housing allowance

• VIP medical insurance

• Opportunity to work on a new exciting project with a group of passionate professionals. You will get the freedom to excel and make a real impact

Diversity disclaimer

Our mission is to build a diverse organization where our members, regardless of background or identity, have a sense of belonging. We genuinely believe that thanks to creating a collaborative environment where different perspectives are valued, we can achieve more. Together, we want to reshape the boundaries of what is achievable in the esports domain.

Compliance Notice:
Elevate Talent is working in partnership with Esports World Cup for this recruitment process. By submitting your application, you acknowledge that your personal data will be collected, managed, controlled, and stored by both Elevate Talent and Esports World Cup in accordance with applicable data protection laws and regulations.