Health & Safety Manager

Oak View Group United Kingdom | Co-op Live | Rhubarb Hospitality; Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization at the UK's largest live entertainment arena as a Health & Safety Manager. This pivotal role involves creating a safety-first culture, developing new policies, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. You will lead a dedicated team, championing health and safety at events while enhancing the experience for fans, artists, and staff. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a vibrant environment. Be part of a team that values collaboration and excellence in delivering unforgettable live experiences.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Employer pension scheme

Private Healthcare – Vitality

Life Assurance (4x basic salary)

Eyecare vouchers

WeCare Employee Assistance Programme

Company sick pay scheme

Enhanced family-friendly benefits

Office snacks and fruit

Team social events

Qualifications

• Experience as a Health & Safety Advisor or Manager in large venues.
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement health and safety processes and policies.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Skills

Health & Safety Management

Regulatory Compliance

Team Leadership

Decision-Making

Event Safety Management

Education

NEBOSH or relevant H&S qualification

Level 4 Spectator Safety Management qualification

Job description

About the Venue

Almost a year since opening our doors to up to 23,500 fans per show, Co-op Live continues to attract world-class talent and events, drawing comparisons to and surpassing the world’s greatest live entertainment venues in show programming, sound, fan experience, premium hospitality, food and beverage, and more. The UK’s largest live entertainment arena is driven by a dedicated team of music and live event lovers, passionate about offering every visitor, fan, artist, and partner an unrivalled experience, before, during and after every event, as well as giving back to our local community and our planet. Partnership is at our heart, with Co-op Live excelling through meaningful alliances with the likes of naming rights partner Co-op, united by a joint vision to be the very best. The first venue in the UK for owners and operators Oak View Group (OVG), Co-op Live spearheads expansion into Europe and rest of the world, a jewel in the crown of a globally renowned portfolio.

Role Purpose

We are recruiting for a talented Health & Safety Manager to join our Facilities Management Team. This is a fantastic opportunity to take control and lead on creating a safety-first culture here at Co-op Live! You will be developing new processes, policies and ways of working, driving performance through team training so we stand out from the crowd. This role is pivotal in keeping everyone safe and creating an excellent experience for our people, fans and artists.

Responsibilities

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an outstanding team, developing new processes, policies and ways of working and driving performance. You will ensure regulatory compliance and industry standards are met to create amazing shows.

This role focuses on leading and promoting a culture of best practice and safety, while operationally supporting event delivery across all departments.

As a Health & Safety Manager, you will:

• Develop and implement processes, policies, and training to ensure the venue and its facilities are maintained safely, reliably, efficiently, and effectively for all staff, fans, artists, and the local community.
• Be present at events to champion health and safety.
• Support the Operations Team and department heads in developing a robust health and safety strategy that prioritizes fans, artists, colleagues, and the community. Shape and execute effective safety management working with relevant departments.
• Ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations and safe working practices as per legislation and company policies.
• Lead audits and compliance monitoring during and outside of events.
• Drive operational excellence by fostering a positive health and safety culture across all departments through policies and processes.
• Monitor the performance of maintenance, safety, and cleaning departments to ensure legislative compliance.
• Monitor KPIs and manage contracts to ensure they are beneficial and provide exceptional service.

What Co-op Live offers you:

• Development opportunities and regular one-on-one meetings.
• This is an onsite role; collaboration is essential to manage the UK’s biggest music and live entertainment arena.

Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 + Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Employer pension scheme
• Private Healthcare – Vitality
• Life Assurance (4x basic salary)
• Eyecare vouchers
• WeCare Employee Assistance Programme
• Company sick pay scheme
• Enhanced family-friendly benefits
• Office snacks and fruit
• Team social events

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Given the importance of safety at the venue, we seek candidates with experience as a Health & Safety Advisor or Manager, and the following qualifications:

• NEBOSH or relevant H&S qualification
• Level 4 Spectator Safety Management qualification
• Experience managing health & safety in large entertainment venues or crowded spaces
• An infectious can-do attitude committed to making the venue the best in the UK from a H&S perspective
• Resilience, decision-making, and leadership skills
• Team player who thrives in high-achievement environments
• Experience leading health & safety in public-facing venues ensuring safe and well-maintained operations

Our Inclusion Commitments

Our venue is for everyone—fans, artists, and staff. We aim to attract a diverse workforce reflecting our local community to make our venue the best in the UK.

We believe diversity fuels innovation, strengthens our team, enhances our service, and elevates our excellence. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that amplifies voices from all backgrounds. Everyone is encouraged to apply.

If you need additional support or reasonable adjustments during your application, please inform us. We will work with you to ensure you have everything needed. We welcome applications from all candidates who demonstrate the necessary skills.

Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work

We prioritize safeguarding; role-specific checks such as DBS may be required, with details shared during the interview process.

If successful, you will need to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the UK.