ABOUT ME
Hello and thank you for visiting my website!
I am Jan Heinz Wappler, a versatile and multilingual international sports business executive with experience across FIFA, RC Deportivo A Coruña, and FC Schaffhausen, among others. Proven track record in leading teams in the areas of commercial strategy, partner management, corporate affairs, and organizational transformation. Served as Interim CEO of FC Schaffhausen during a critical transition period, ensuring operational continuity and strategic execution while successfully turning around the club's overall image and partner relations. Sports Management MBA-qualified with a strong international background and expertise in stakeholder management, business development, and change leadership.
Areas of Expertise
SPORTS & EVENT MANAGEMENT / International Relations / MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS / STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT / Media Relations
Please have a browse through my website and get in touch for us to have an engaging conversation.
I’d be delighted to hear from you!
All the best,
Jan
Organizations I’ve Had the Pleasure of working for & Contributing to
FC SCHAFFHAUSEN AG, CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER (PROFESSIONAL Sports TEAM Management), 2025 - current
Member of the extended management team and responsible for the operational management and strategic coordination in the areas of sponsorship, marketing, communication, fan engagement, FCS foundation & CSR initiatives as well as matchday.
FC SCHAFFHAUSEN AG, INTERIM CEO (PROFESSIONAL Sports TEAM Management), 2025 - 2026
Stepped into the Interim CEO role from December 2025 until July 2026 during a critical leadership transition, ensuring uninterrupted operations and organizational stability, incl.:
Leadership of the club's non-sporting operations through a period of significant change management.
Direction of various cross-departmental initiatives that strengthened organizational cohesion and transforming the club's public perception and standing (incl. the securing of long-term agreements for main partners)
Preservation of smooth operational continuity and stakeholder alignment during a complex transition period.
Successful combination of executive leadership responsibilities with the CCO function, overseeing the club's commercial, administrative, and strategic priorities ahead of season 26/27.
RC DEPORTIVO, Director OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS (PROFESSIONAL Sports TEAM Management), 2023 - 2025
Season 24-25 (RC Deportivo and Dépor ABANCA competing in LALIGA Hypermotion and Liga F, respectively):
• Management of Real Club Deportivo’s corporate division including the communications, brand & marketing and international departments as well as the RC Deportivo Foundation.
Season 23-24 (RC Deportivo winning the league of Primera Federación and securing promotion to LALIGA as well as Dépor ABANCA being promoted to Liga F):
• Management of the club’s corporate division including the commercial & retail, brand & marketing, communications, ticketing & memberships, food & beverage, matchday as well as protocol departments.
RACING UNLEASHED, GLobal Franchise & Sales MANAGER (STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT, FRANCHISE & SPONSORING), 2023
Direct report to company CEO tasked with the coordination of and collaboration with all stakeholders to implement the correct specification of new franchising lounges around the world.
Development and implementation of a new sponsoring sales strategy as well as innovative sponsoring packages.
Support of existing sponsors with activations and conducting of contract negotiations.
FIFA, Manager, PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL RELATIONS & DEVELOPMENT (STAKEHOLDER, MARKETING & EVENT MAnagement), 2020 - 2022
Management, supervision and full ownership of the FIFA Fund for Football Players initiative (worth USD 16m) in collaboration with FIFPRO.
Organisation of all department business projects, initiatives, events, and publications in support of FIFA’s vision to make football truly global, incl. the FIFA Diploma in Club Management program and the FIFA Professional Football Journal, among others.
Coordination of all interdepartmental processes, interactions and projects incl. preparation of meetings, conferences, correspondence, and any professional football related events.
Assistance to the head of department in the daily management and implementation of FIFA’s stakeholder relationships and agreements.
UD Ibiza, Marketing & Communicatios Manager (Marketing & Communications), 2019 - 2020
Management of the club’s marketing and communications operations, including the club’s historic Copa del Rey clash vs. FC Barcelona, reaching the promotion playoff during season 2019/2020.
VfL Wolfsburg-FuSSBALL GMBH, Special EVENTS Manager (Sponsorships & EVENTS), 2018 - 2019
Planning and delivery of matchday fan zones and partner activations, including sold-out fixtures against Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Schalke 04, which attracted more than 10,000 home fans.
Image and brand marketing among the fan-base and season-ticket holders.
Management of partner events and sponsors’ evenings for the men’s and women’s professional teams, and the graduation ceremony for sports management students of the VfL-Campus degree (events covered by local newspapers, club website, social media etc.).
TIFOFANS, Co-Founder (Sports TOURISM START-up), 2017
Co-founded a marketplace platform for local sports fans to connect with sports tourists to offer, share and create authentic sports experiences.
Hult EF Corporate Education, CUSTOMER SUCCESS MANAGER (B2b sales), 2015-2016
Post-sales client relationship management servicing 20+ client accounts (Fortune 500 companies).
getAbstract, MEDIA RELATIONS MANAGER (PR & MARKETING), 2013-2015
Management and servicing of content and media partnerships, new media partnership agreements and sales support.
EF EDUCATION FIRST, GLOBAL MANAGEMENT TRAINEE (SALES & MARKETING, OPerations), 2012-2013
Project management of sales, marketing and operations for education programs across 16 markets.
embassy of Switzerland in Chile, cultural Events intern, 2009
Project assistance for various cultural and bilateral events as liaison for Swiss companies and institutions.
Languages
IT Skills
Interests
International Sports Management
Media
Advertising
Education
World Travel
Music
Japanese Cuisine
Islamic Art
TESTIMONIALS
“Beyond his professional achievements, Jan is someone who leads with integrity, empathy, and a genuine sense of purpose. He earns the trust of those around him and inspires teams to reach ambitious goals, always balancing strategic thinking with practical execution. Any organization would be fortunate to count Jan among its leadership and we are immensely grateful for everything he has brought to Deportivo during his time at the club.”
“Jan is someone who brings out the best in those around him. His strong work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to remain calm under pressure create an environment where collaboration thrives. He has a unique talent for inspiring confidence and motivating teams to push beyond their limits, all while maintaining a culture of integrity, trust, and mutual respect. His leadership, dedication, and ability to navigate complex challenges with both strategic insight and unwavering composure make him an invaluable asset to any team.”
“If you’re looking for someone who combines expertise, reliability, and a great personality, Jan is your person. He has exceptional writing skills and is a master of project management. His calm demeanor, patience, and friendly attitude make him a fantastic team player, and his competence shines through in everything he does. His knowledge of football is unparalleled, making him an invaluable resource in any project related to the sport.”
“Jan is a communication genius and has not only mastered the semantics of different languages, but also the empathy and content-related competence to be confident on any stage. His commitment is special and I appreciate him as a discussion partner on so many topics.”
“Without exception, Jan completed tasks assigned to him in a conscientious and efficient fashion demonstrating outstanding commitment at all times and impressing us with his consistently high quality of work.”
“Every once in a while you encounter someone in your professional life that stands above the rest. To do so, they must excel in their daily work, be a positive force for the company and have a remarkable set of skills. Jan Wappler is just that individual.”
“Jan is the kind of guy you simply want to have on your team.”
Education
UNIVERSIDAD EUROPEA &
Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid, Madrid
MBA SPORTS MANAGEMENT
(MBA ALFREDO DI STÉFANO)
Graduated December 2018, Score: 8.5/10
University of Sydney, Sydney
ESADE BUSINESS SCHOOL, BARCELONA
KOç university, ISTANBUL
MA MANAGEMENT (CEMS - The Global Alliance in Management Education)
Full Scholarship Recipient University of Sydney MA Management
Graduated December 2012
BOND UNIVERSITY, Gold Coast
BA INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (DIPLOMACY)
Graduated June 2009, GPA 3.5
Awards
2018, Selected Best MBA Sports Business Project (Tifofans) and Best Sponsorship Activation Proposal for Real Madrid Basketball by Universidad Europea/Escuela Universitaria Real Madrid
2012, Member of Beta Gamma Sigma International Honour Society, High Scholastic Achievement, University of Sydney
2007-2009, Dean’s List for Academic Excellence and Vice-Chancellor’s list for Academic Excellence, Bond University
get in touch
Email: jan.h.wappler@gmail.com
Work Snapshots
Projects I’Ve Managed & Contributed to
Encounters at VfL Wolfsburg
Match-day & special events at VfL Wolfsburg
Media Relations in Brazil
