Markets Operations Lead — 12‑Month Secondment

Hackney Borough Council; London Borough of Hackney; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Hackney Borough Council is seeking a Senior Markets Service Officer on a fixed-term basis to lead busy frontline operations across Hackney’s markets and street trading locations. You will work directly with traders, residents and partners to ensure markets are safe, welcoming and commercially successful.

You will drive occupancy, income and compliance, balancing regulatory requirements with excellent customer service, while coordinating with internal teams and external agencies.

Qualifications

• Experience leading frontline operations in a busy, public-facing environment.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure and balance competing priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills with traders, residents and partners.
• Understanding of occupancy, income and regulatory compliance in markets.
• Customer-focused leadership with a commercial mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead frontline operations on site and coordinate activity across market locations.
• Support and develop colleagues, set clear standards and deliver a consistent service.
• Build relationships with traders and assist new entrepreneurs to trade.
• Grow occupancy and income, identify pitches and strengthen commercial performance.
• Manage licensing, inspections and escalate enforcement when necessary.
• Improve income collection while treating businesses fairly.
• Maintain high public realm standards and address hazards quickly.
• Use data and operational intelligence to track performance.
• Collaborate with council partners and external agencies on complex issues.
• Support events and campaigns to attract new audiences and traders.

Skills

Leadership

Frontline ops

Licensing & compliance

Stakeholder mgmt

Commercial awareness

Tools

Microsoft Office

CRM systems

Mobile technology

Job description

Hackney Borough Council is seeking a Senior Markets Service Officer on a fixed-term basis to lead busy frontline operations across Hackney’s markets and street trading locations. You will work directly with traders, residents and partners to ensure markets are safe, welcoming and commercially successful.

You will drive occupancy, income and compliance, balancing regulatory requirements with excellent customer service, while coordinating with internal teams and external agencies.