Senior Operational Manager (SSNS)

Global Sports Jobs Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Pension

Private medical insurance

Landmark international sporting event

Job summary

Global Sports Jobs Limited is seeking a Senior Operational Manager to lead the operational planning function for non-stadia security across the project.

You will collaborate with Technical Leads to translate strategic requirements into deliverable plans, oversee a planning team, and drive readiness activities for major events across the UK & Ireland. This full-time role is based at Wembley with extensive travel and UK-wide responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading operational planning in security, major events or comparable environments.
• Proven experience managing large and geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong understanding of workforce modelling and resource planning.
• Experience managing procurement activities and supplier performance.
• Experience operating within complex governance and matrix structures.
• All roles are subject to appropriate DBS checks.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation and maintenance of operational security plans across non-stadia venues and activities.
• Establish and maintain planning standards, templates and procedures across planning.
• Collaborate with Technical Leads to translate requirements into deliverable plans.
• Provide leadership and performance management for the planning team.
• Lead workforce mapping and staffing planning for non-stadia operations.
• Coordinate workforce demand with the Workforce Security & Compliance function.
• Develop scoping for contracted security services and support procurement.
• Lead readiness planning, exercises and validation activities.
• Oversee security plans for priority venues and key sites including IBC and Final Draw.
• Engage with stakeholders and governance structures.

Skills

Operational planning

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Procurement experience

Workforce planning

Governance experience

Job description

About the Role

The Senior Operational Manager (SSNS) leads the operational planning function and translates strategic security requirements into deliverable operational plans across all non-stadia areas of responsibility. The role works in close partnership with the Technical Lead (Non-Stadia) and Technical Assurance Lead (Host Cities), who define security requirements, establish planning standards, develop policy and guidance, and act as primary UK&I 2028 points of contact for stakeholders. The Senior Operational Manager coordinates planning activity across the Operational Security Team and ensures planning outputs are delivered to the required standard, quality and timescales.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation and maintenance of operational security plans across all non-stadia venues and activities, ensuring alignment with agreed security concepts, technical requirements, programme milestones and tournament objectives.
• Establish and maintain planning standards, templates and operating procedures across the operational planning function.
• Work collaboratively with the Technical Lead (Non-Stadia) and Technical Assurance Lead (Host Cities) to translate strategic requirements, policies and operational concepts into deliverable plans that reflect agreed technical requirements, security standards and programme objectives.
• Provide leadership, direction and performance management for the Regional Security Managers and Operational Planning Team.
• Lead workforce mapping and resource planning activities for all non-stadia security operations, identifying staffing requirements, deployment models, training needs and contingency arrangements.
• Coordinate workforce demand forecasts with the Workforce Security & Compliance function.
• Develop operational requirements and scopes of work for contracted security services and specialist support providers, and support procurement activities including market engagement, tender evaluation and supplier selection processes.
• Lead readiness planning activities for non-stadia operations, overseeing operational exercises, testing programmes, walkthroughs and validation activities.
• Maintain direct responsibility for the planning and delivery of designated priority venues and events, and lead the development of security plans for critical outlier sites, including the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) and Final Draw.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Technical Leads, Host City teams, venue stakeholders, contractors and statutory partners, and act as the primary operational planning representative within planning forums, working groups and programme governance structures.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Significant experience leading operational planning functions within security, major events, public safety, emergency management or comparable operational environments.
• Proven experience managing large and geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong understanding of workforce modelling, resource planning and organisational resilience.
• Experience managing procurement activities, supplier mobilisation and contractor performance.
• Experience operating within complex governance and matrix management structures.
• All roles are subject to appropriate DBS checks.

Workplace

• Based at Wembley Stadium, with travel across the UK & Ireland as required.
• 2026: 3 days/week onsite.
• 2027: 3–4 days/week onsite.
• 2028: Full-time onsite during tournament delivery.

Salary

• Competitive salary

Benefits & Perks

• 25 days holiday
• Pension
• Private medical insurance
• Opportunity to be part of a landmark international sporting event

The Application Process

Our process is designed to be clear and fair. Reasonable adjustments are available.

1. Application review.
2. Interview(s) – typically first stage via MS Teams and final stage in Wembley Stadium.
3. Offer.