Senior General Manager (Southport Market)

Sefton Council; Sefton; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council is seeking a Senior General Manager to lead Southport Market's commercial strategy and enhance visitor experience. This hands-on role requires proven venue management, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to foster trader partnerships. The ideal candidate will manage operations while inspiring a high-performing team and curating engaging events. Offering a salary of £41,771 - £46,142 per annum, this permanent full-time position is based in Sefton.

Qualifications

• Proven venue management in market, food hall, restaurant, or hospitality.
• Experience managing budgets, P&L, and growth strategies.
• Operational expertise in health & safety, licensing, and facilities management.

Responsibilities

• Develop commercial plans to boost revenue and footfall.
• Support independent vendors by resolving issues and driving collaboration.
• Oversee health & safety, licensing, and staffing operations.
• Enhance market appeal through events and programming.
• Inspire and lead a high-performing team.

Skills

Venue management experience

Strong commercial acumen

Operational expertise in health & safety

Flexibility for weekend/evening work

Job description

• Employer: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
• Salary: Grade I, SCP 31 - 35, £41,771 - £46,142 per annum
• Location: Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, Southport Market
• Contract: Permanent
• Working Pattern: Full Time
• Hours: 36 hours per week.
• DBS Check: No
• Closing Date: 07/09/2025 at 23:59
• Reference: EGH/25/319467
  
  

Senior General Manager (Southport Market)

About Southport Market

Reimagined in 2021 as a vibrant food, drink, and cultural hub, Southport Market has become the heartbeat of the town a destination where food traders, live music, and community spirit thrive. Housed in a stunning building, we host 8+ independent vendors, a central bar, event spaces, and a year-round programme of markets, workshops, and entertainment. With 500k+ annual visitors and rising, were now seeking a dynamic leader to steer our next chapter of growth.

As the Senior General Manager, youll be the driving force behind Southport Markets commercial strategy, operations, and visitor experience. This is a high-impact role for a hands-on leader who can balance P&L excellence with creative placemaking, foster trader success, and cement our reputation as the North Wests premier food hall.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial Leadership - Develop/execute business plans to boost revenue, profitability, and footfall through events, promotions, and new income streams.
• Trader Partnership - Support independent businesses resolve issues, drive collaboration, and retain/recruit high-quality vendors.
• Operations & Compliance - Oversee health & safety, licensing, maintenance, security, and staffing.
• Experience Curation - Oversee programming of events (live music, festivals, pop-ups) to enhance the markets day/night appeal.
• Team Culture - Inspire a high-performing team through coaching and empowerment.
  
  

Who We Need

• Proven venue management (e.g., market, food hall, restaurant, retail centre, hospitality group).
• Strong commercial acumen, Experience managing budgets, P&L, and growth strategies.
• Operational expertise in health & safety, licensing , and facilities management.
• Flexibility to work weekends/evenings when required
  
  

Interviews will be held: week commencing 15th September 2025

Equal Opportunities EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Sefton Council strives to ensure that our workforce is inclusive and representative of our communities. A diverse workforce is important to us, our staff bring with them a wide range of experiences, views, ideas, and innovations, and we are committed to providing an environment that recognises, respects, and values everybodys identity, where individual differences are strengths and where everyone can thrive and maximise their potential. We are always open to learning and growing as an organisation, and we welcome new ideas and initiatives that promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer; all candidates will receive equal treatment. Our decision to appoint will be based upon whether an individuals skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities make them the most suitable candidate for the role.

GUARANTEED INTERVIEW SCHEME

Please note that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for these jobs (as given in the Person Specification) and who want to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme will be invited to interview.

If you are currently in care or have previously been in care, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for care experienced people if you meet the essential requirements for the role.

Please note, we do not accept CVs (unless specified on the advert).

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