Event Operations and Development Lead

Old Moat; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in Manchester is seeking an experienced Event Operations and Development Lead to implement the Events Strategy and ensure the successful delivery of major events across multiple venues. The role demands strong leadership in planning and executing cultural and sporting events while fostering partnerships with various stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in event management and communication skills at the board level.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Pension scheme

Enhanced family leave

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing effective event partnerships.
• Track record in delivering large scale 3rd party events.
• Knowledge of UK event sector legislative frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver existing events programme.
• Manage operational delivery of events across venues.
• Improve service delivery through innovations.

Skills

Senior management experience

Event planning processes

Strong communication skills

Job description

About The Role

Working Hours: 25 Hours Per Week

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Closing Date: 03 October 2025

Closing time: 11.59pm

Interview Method: Face to Face

This role is subject to:

2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.

Manchester's Event Strategy set out a vision “To be an Eventful City” with a focus on developing a diverse, balanced and benefits driven cultural, sporting and community events programme. We work with global brands, international federations and national governing bodies, Government agencies and world class venues to help position and profile the city as a world-leading event destination, and we support commercial promoters, event agencies and community event organisers to bring major event properties into our parks, venues and public spaces - maximising the economic and social benefits of events to the city, while driving positive impacts and legacies for local communities.

We are looking for an experienced and solutions-focused Event Operations and Development Lead who will be responsible for supporting the Head of Major Events & Partnerships to implement the Events Strategy for the City Council and drive operational excellence through meticulous planning, issue resolution and effective collaboration to ensure the safe, sustainable and successful delivery of a wide range of events across multiple venues and spaces.

Specifically, you will:

• Play a lead role in developing and delivering the existing events programme and support the bidding for future major cultural and sports events.
• Strengthen the multi-agency planning and Safety Advisory Group process across large scale event projects.
• Evolve and improve the operational function of the City Council’s event service with accountability for:
• the planning, delivery and evaluation of a portfolio of annual and one-off major events and associated event programmes and projects.
• overseeing the facilitation of significant third-party organised events and working with community event organisers to share knowledge of event management and production functions to drive quality performance.
• ensuring innovation and continued improvement in the delivery of services to ensure that the city continues with a policy-led approach to the planning and delivery of events.
• managing service area performance targets against assigned budgets, staff and resources to ensure services are provided effectively and efficiently

About the Candidate

[Describe candidate you are looking for]

• We would love to hear from you if you have:
• Proven experience in a senior management position of working in partnership with international and national event property rights holders and of establishing and managing effective event partnerships and commercial relationships.
• A comprehensive track record in the coordination and operational delivery of large scale 3rd party events - working alongside a range of rights holders, commercial promoters, community organisations, event agencies and external event organisers - and an extensive knowledge of the event planning processes and live event delivery.
• Specialist experience, knowledge and understanding of the UK event sector and support services – including the operational context of relevant legislative, licensing, health and safety, sustainability and policy frameworks as applied to events.
• Strong communication skills and be able to develop and present work at board level.

About Us

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance- Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
• A buzzing pension- You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave- Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks- Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow- We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
• A Good Employment Charter member- We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave- Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

We’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

• Armed Forces members or veterans
• Current or former care leavers
• Have a disability or long-term condition
• If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programme

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the Supporting Statement section of your application.

If You Have Completed GM Elevate

When You Join Us

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, please note the contact options on the role page.

What we will need from you if you're successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy.

Pre-Employment Checks

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.
• References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
• Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
• Proof of Manchester Residency: For some roles, you may need to demonstrate that you reside within the boundaries of Manchester City Council.
• Police Vetting: Some roles may require police vetting to ensure suitability for accessing sensitive information.
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance: BPSS clearance is primarily used for roles that involve access to government data, systems, or assets.
• Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other relevant information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

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