LA28 Olympian/Paralympian Fellowship Program SUMMER 2024

The Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games will be hosted in Los Angeles, California in 2028, returning to the United States for the first time in over 30 years. 2028 will be the first time LA hosts the Paralympic Games, creating an opportunity to expand awareness, understanding and inclusion of people with disabilities.

LA28, the organizers for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, is on a mission to create an unparalleled Games experience for athletes, fans, partners, our community and our people. Our vision is to collectively create what’s next through sport, community and the power of our differences.

The 2028 Olympics and Paralympics will represent LA and leverage the strength of our community’s diversity and creativity as we collectively work to design a Games that we all want to be a part of. We do this by focusing on people and by inviting everyone into the story of the LA28 Games.

The LA28 organizing committee is an independent, non-profit organization that is privately funded and governed by a board of directors. 

Our Vision is to collectively create what’s next by harnessing sport, community and the power of our differences. Our Mission is to create an unparalleled Paralympic and Olympic Games for athletes, fans, partners, our community and our people.

Values and Behaviors:

• Optimism – Embody a positive, enthusiastic, and solution-oriented attitude in everything we do; challenge the status quo, inspire and support one another to achieve our best; have our eyes on the future and believe we can make a meaningful impact
• Integrity – We communicate openly and honestly, listen, and respectfully value multiple perspectives; we do what we say and are accountable for everything we do; we do the right thing, always. Even when it isn’t easy
• Excellence – We hold ourselves to the highest standard and expectations; we live our values and truths and persevere through challenges; we are continuous learners and adapt and pivot with speed to meet changing needs
• Inclusion – We seek to represent, include, empower and level the playing field; our work reflects the communities we serve and the world in which we live; we leverage our platforms to bring awareness to issues relevant to who we are
• Co-Creation – We are authors of a shared story. Everyone contributes their unique voice to our shared mission; we share pride in our accomplishments and ownership of our shortcomings
• Boldness – We embrace creativity, courage and outside-the-box thinking; we are unafraid to take risks, explore unconventional solutions, and learn from the process; we are innovators, disruptors, and challengers of the status quo

LA28 OLYMPIAN/PARALYMPIAN FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM – July 2024

Program
The LA28 Olympian/Paralympian Fellowship Program is a year-long program with two six-month rotations through LA28’s operational teams. Successful candidates will perform two rotations on separate teams. The first will be July through December 2024 and the second will be January through June 2025. Assignments will be based on interviews and the applicant pool. Fellows will have opportunities to gain work and networking experiences and will be expected to provide feedback. 

Salary and Benefits

Fellows will receive a salary and benefits for their one-year commitment.

Candidate Profile

• Must have competed in Olympic or Paralympic Games (summer/winter/any year/USA or any country)
• Must hold current US work permit/employment authorization, no sponsorship will be provided.
• Must be retired from elite international competition and able to work full time.
• Excellent written, verbal skills and analytical ability
• Must live or be willing to relocate to LA area (relocation assistance not provided)

Timeline

• March 1 - Applications open 
• April 29- Applications close 
• April-May - Application review and interviews 
• May 30 – Offers extended 
• July 1, 2024 - Program Starts – Fellows begin first rotation 

Information Sessions

If you would like more information or have questions, please register for one of the virtual sessions below.

Wednesday April 3 @ 12:00 PM PST: Click to register 

Wednesday April 10 @ 5:00 PM PST: Click to register 

Submission

To apply submit:

• Resume / CV
• Cover letter detailing why you want to work for LA28 and what you would bring to the organization
• Rank your top eight Departments of interest (1-8) from the list below and submit this ranking as part of your cover letter with your application.

LA28 Fellowship Departments (subject to change)     

(Rank your top eight Departments of interest (1-8) from the list below and submit this ranking as part of your cover letter with your application.)

• Insights &  Analytics (Marketing): The Insights & Analytics team focuses on driving data-driven decisions that enhance our commercial success through actionable insights across three core pillars – fan & consumer insights, commercial support, and performance analytics on our content/campaigns. I&A acts as a shared service across LA28, Team USA, and the USOPC, leading a range of consumer research and reporting programs designed to reveal key insights about our fans, our content and sponsor impacts. 
  • Sample Projects (Research):
    1.    Support our head of research in executing a wide-ranging content measurement program to capture the impact of Team USA’s new branding. 
    2.    Collaborate with our consumer insights and performance analytics teams to support core partner reporting program highlighting key impacts to sponsors from the Paris Games window 
  • Sample Projects (Performance Analytics):
    1.    Build and optimize Tableau dashboards for campaign performance and KPI tracking. 
    2.    Create reporting deliverables in PPT to keep key stakeholders informed on our performance around critical heat moments 

• Experimential Engagement, Events & Protocol (Marketing): The LA28 Events Team manages and executes meetings and events in support of all LA28 departments and Team USA Partner-related meetings and events for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Properties (USOPP). This includes event site selection, budgeting, timelines, food & beverage, audio-visual, décor/signage, look and feel, hotel room blocks, transport, and all key logistics and operational elements from concept to execution. Events include meetings, receptions, partner workshops, and protocol visits from the IOC/IPC and other key stakeholders. The work, while exciting, often dictates long hours which may occur outside normal business hours including weekends. 
  
  • Sample Projects/ Key Responsibilities:
    1.    Organization/tracking of event details, paperwork, RSVPs & other planning 
    2.    Onsite load-in, setup, event execution, teardown/load-out.  
    3.    This fun and fast-paced environment involves physical stamina like loading vans with equipment and supplies and details like testing microphones and checking catering orders for dietary restrictions.  

• Communications (Marketing): The communications team leads the internal and external storytelling for the organization, telling LA28's remarkable story and protecting the reputation of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The communications team supports the organization working cross-functionally with each functional area including marketing, impact/community relations, sustainability, government relations, athletes, partner management and Games planning & delivery. Communications is responsible for developing messaging and tools, managing Partner announcements including LA28/Team USA Partner activations, supporting external speaking opportunities, and working closely with media and other key stakeholders to tell the LA28 story on the road to delivering the 2028 Games.
  • Sample Projects / Key Responsibilities:

Fellows will work across the communications team on a variety of projects including but not limited to:
1.    Monitoring and sharing highlights from the daily news cycle 
2.    Developing messaging and communications for both internal and external use 
3.    Drafting press releases and web stories 
4.    Creating tools and processes for the communications and marketing team 
5.    Assist in media relations for commercial Partner activations during the countdown to and duration of the Paris 2024 Games 
6.    Work closely with internal teams to bring the Games to life through campaigns, content, events and more 

• Government Relations (External Affairs): The Government Relations team advocates for policies to enable a successful 2028 Games through Federal, State, and Local Governments. Stakeholders range from the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department to U.S. Embassies around the world and consulates for numerous international governments. The team serves the entire LA28 organization by working to secure Federal, State, and local resources and builds partnerships to ensure we leave a positive legacy for Los Angeles, the region, and beyond. 
  • Sample Project/ Key Responsibilities:
    Beyond frequently engaging with elected officials, our Fellow would work on three main projects: 
    1.    Develop strategies to integrate Olympic and Paralympic Athletes in outreach strategy throughout the region, identifying athlete touchpoints for key elected officials and stakeholders 
    2.    Support stakeholder management in Los Angeles through the Paris Games and through the Handover transition 
    3.    Manage tracking of strategic initiatives using Smartsheets and other databases 

• Commercial Development & Innovation (US Olympic and Paralympic Properties): USOPP’s Commercial Development + Innovation (CDI) team functions as the strategic command center for all commercial efforts across Team USA and LA28. The team is high-functioning, intrinsically curious, and equal parts analytical, creative and action-oriented. CDI is responsible for the strategic development of new revenue and monetization opportunities for U.S. Olympic + Paralympic Movement. 
  
  • Sample Projects/ Key Responsibilities:
    The CDI team is highly cross-functional serving multiple stakeholders and functional areas. This Fellow will work across the Commercial team, inclusive of Partnership Marketing and Partnership Sales on a variety of projects, including but not limited to: 
    1.    Support the Head of CDI in the development, packaging, and valuation analysis of key LA28 and Team USA assets and programs including Torch Relay, LA28 Day of Sport, Games time Live Sites and more.  
    2.    Support in the creation of decks and analysis of commercial opportunities (must have a working knowledge of both PowerPoint and Excel).  
    3.    Assist in ideation and materials development for annual Partner Summit.  
    4.    Assist in recap and learnings summary of 2024 Making Team USA. Contribute to development of 2026 Making Team USA.  

• Partnership Sales (US Olympic and Paralympic Properties): The Partnership Sales team is responsible for selling high value, unique sponsorship rights and benefits to best-in-class companies to support the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement from now through the LA28 Games. In a joint effort between USOPC and LA28 (US Olympic and Paralympic Properties), NBCUniversal and our sales agent Legends, we sell one of the most powerful opportunities in sports. Through our first-of-its-kind offering, our partners can participate in all aspects of the Movement with access to Team USA and LA28 intellectual property rights, product marketing, local activation and NBCUniversal’s comprehensive, multi-screen coverage of the Games for the next six years. 
  
  • Sample Projects/ Key Responsibilities:
    Day-to-day responsibilities:
    1.    Managing the team’s relationship with LA28 Athlete Services and other Athlete Fellows 
    2.    Provide an athlete’s perspective in Sales pitches
    3.    Support Sales material creation (e.g. decks, prospect-related deliverables, etc.); creating company and industry analyses; writing pre-meeting summaries and contact bios; and tracking company news and new sponsorship announcements across sports.   
    Long-term tasks: 
    4.    Devising opportunities to positively impact athletes and address key pain-points through commercial partnerships 
    5.    Analyze industries and other sport property sponsorships; recommendations for new categories and prospects to pursue 

• Games Delivery - Revenue (Games Planning and Delivery): The Games Delivery Revenue team oversees the Ticketing, Hospitality, Accommodations, and Food & Beverage departments within the Games Planning & Delivery group. This department is responsible for securing key revenue streams for LA28, ensuring sold out and fully attended events, and creating a robust and integrated accommodations strategy that supports our key stakeholders and operational needs. 
  
  • Sample Projects/ Key Responsibilities:
    The fellow will work across two main areas: Accommodations and Ticketing.  
    1.    Ticketing – Support ticket modeling, pricing work, and marketing strategy 
    2.    Hospitality – Help support business plan evolution and product development   
    3.    Contribute to creating key stakeholder needs surveys.   

• Venue Management & Villages (Games Planning and Delivery): The Venue Management team's mission is to engage, integrate, and collaborate with delivery partners, internal LA28 functions, vendors, and other key external stakeholders to plan and operate the Olympic and Paralympic Games across all competition venues and non-competition venues (including the Olympic and Paralympic Village) by optimizing resources and delivering an unparalleled experience for athletes, fans, partners, and the community.
  
  • Sample Projects/ Key Responsibilities: 
    1.    Work with Villages Management to continue designing the venue and concept plan for the Olympic and Paralympic Villages with an Athletes’ first approach. Specific areas of focus include Transportation, Accessibility, and overall flow throughout the Villages.
    2.    Assist with Village workstreams to continue the operational planning, including defining service levels, displacement planning with UCLA, and cross-functional planning.
    3.    Supporting the preliminary Venue Operational Planning (such as developing Venue Fact Sheets and Venue planning kick-off templates and materials) across all venues. 

• Games Operations - Transportation (Games Planning and Delivery): The LA28 Transportation department oversees all the planning and delivery of transportation elements of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We aim to deliver a seamless system that serves all athletes, stakeholders, spectators, and workforce, while keeping the LA region moving. 
  • Sample Projects/ Key Responsibilities:
    1.    Planning and preparation for the model venue exercise, focused on Games Stakeholder Fleet estimation and operations at venues. 
    2.    Support on Federal Funding pursuit, focused on technical analysis and refinement of key Games-related transportation initiatives.   

• Games Operations - General (Games Planning and Delivery): The Games Operations team is responsible for developing the operational strategy across a variety of functions that will enable the delivery of the Games. It is also responsible for driving integrated operational planning across the organization ensuring a coordinated approach. Functions within Games Operations include Integrated Planning, Operational Readiness & Testing, City Services, Logistics, Accreditation, Medical Services, and Anti-Doping. 
  • Sample Projects/ Key Responsibilities:
    1.    Integrated Operational Planning – Support LA28 team members facilitate working groups, gather cross-functional input, and create templates and manuals to streamline the development of venue operational plans.  
    2.    City Services - Support with socialization and review sessions to validate data/content captured to define baseline city services details.   
    3.    Logistics: Aggregate, organize, and analyze past games furniture and equipment data to inform warehousing needs and budget.  

• People Team: LA28’s People Team department (Human Resources) provides day-to-day support for employees across all departments. Some of the functions of the department include talent acquisitions, organizational development, benefits administration, culture development, and employee engagement.  
  • Sample Projects/ Key Responsibilities:
    1.    Assist with facilities preparation and office set up as location expands. 
    2.    Design and execute programming to help create a fun and engaging employee experience. 

• People Team - Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging: LA28’s DEIB Team is responsible for advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging across the LA28 enterprise. At LA28, we are game changers. We are harnessing the resources of the movement and the diversity of Los Angeles to build a human legacy where everyone benefits from the power of sport. 
  • Sample Projects/Responsibilities:
    1.    Provide tactical support to implement LA28’s DEIB Strategic Plan and Focus Areas with special attention to the “Inclusive Athlete Experience” and ensuring tenets of disability inclusion 
    2.    Have a demonstrated commitment to DEIB and effectively build and nurture relationships throughout the organization to co-create an organizational culture of belonging that is people-centered and equity-focused. 
    3.    Serve as a resource for the Employee Resource Group Council and Community Resource Groups by attending meetings, sharing information, offering/creating tools, supporting leadership recruitment, selection and succession processes for the ERG Council 
    4.    Maintain a central calendar of cultural celebrations and commemorations. 
    5.    Research relevant topics including DEIB specialty areas, sports, and the Los Angeles community. 
    6.    Complete special projects, as assigned. 

• Legal: LA28’s Legal Department provides advice on all matters affecting LA28’s legal rights and obligations. This work includes support for commercial sponsorship and licensing agreements, Games venue and hotel agreements, and legal support for all LA28’s functional areas.  
  
  • Sample Projects/Responsibilities:
    The Athlete Fellow would be an important part of the legal team in our support of every functional unit at LA28, including matters ranging from Games venues and training sites to community/government relations and commercial relationships. Because of the nature of the work involved, the Athlete Fellow with a law degree is preferred. Sample responsibilities may include: 
    1.    Review and summarize foundational agreements and other important contracts 
    2.   Collaborate with the team on contract tracking, management, and drafting 
    3.   Participate in working groups and discussions 

• Technology: Technology enables the delivery and operations of virtually all aspects of successful Olympic and Paralympic Games. LA28’s Technology department works to support and implement a broad range of technologies across the organization. The Technology team delivers services, systems and operations in support of the OCOG business needs and delivers specific Games planning services to various stakeholders. 
  • Sample Projects and Responsibilities:
    Responsibilities will include documentation of user guides, process flows, and test scripts, facilitating working groups, training and/or testing activities with business users, troubleshooting and customer service skills to document issues. Daily tasks will include a high level of interaction with business users from Functional Areas across the organization. Fellow would be mentored in methodologies, applications and technologies, and given access to training that could support a future career in Tech. 
    Projects could include: 
    1.    Games System Implementations: Supporting LA28 team members to interface with vendors and business team members to manage requirements, writing and executing testing documentation to ensure delivered system complies with requirements. 
    2.    Business process discovery: Analyze business processes to gather requirements across functional areas, understanding functional needs. Develop training documentation and facilitate training sessions to ensure business adoption of new technology, across various tech initiatives (Salesforce, Microsoft applications, Data Warehouse, etc.).  
    3.    Cyber Security: Supporting Chief Information Security Officer in documenting policies and procedures, cyber security strategy. 

• Finance: LA28’s Finance & Accounting department is responsible for all aspects of financial planning, management reporting and the accurate and timely recording of financial transactions in accordance with GAAP.  The LA28 Finance & Accounting department is looking for an Athlete Fellow who is organized, a quick learner, and has an interest in learning more about the Finance & Accounting professional tracks. 
  • Sample Projects/ Key Responsibilities:
    1.    Compilation of an accounting policies manual  
    2.    Creation of a summary of accounting for contracts  
    3.    Strategic design, build and implementation of integrated management reporting 

The annual base salary for this position is $67,000.00. 

LA28 does not provide relocation assistance.

LA28 is committed to operating 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. We strive to build a team that is diverse, inclusive and encourages qualified candidates of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities to apply. We will consider all qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with local law. We assess applications based on relevant skills, education, and experience a candidate can add to our team.