Senior Operational Manager (SSNS)

LGBT Jobs; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Pension

Private medical insurance

Job summary

UK & Ireland 2028 Limited is seeking a Senior Operational Manager to lead operational planning and delivery for UEFA EURO 2028 across the UK & Ireland, with travel as required. Based at Wembley Stadium, the role runs on a fixed-term contract through summer 2028.

You will manage the Operational Security Team, integrate technical requirements into practical plans, supervise Workforce planning and procurement activities, and collaborate with partners to ensure readiness for non-stadia operations.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading operational planning in security, major events or similar.
• Proven experience managing large, geographically dispersed teams.
• Strong knowledge of workforce modelling, resource planning and resilience.
• Experience managing procurement, supplier mobilisation and contractor performance.
• Experience in complex governance and matrix management.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, implementation and maintenance of operational security plans across non-stadia venues.
• Coordinate with technical leads to translate requirements into deliverable plans.
• Provide leadership and performance management for the team.
• Lead workforce mapping and resource planning for non-stadia security ops.
• Oversee readiness planning, exercises and validation activities.
• Develop security plans for priority venues and events.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and act as planning representative.

Skills

Operational planning

Leadership

Workforce planning

Procurement management

Governance & matrix management

Job description

Senior Operational Manager role at Wembley Stadium

Fixed-term contract for UEFA EURO 2028

Travel across the UK & Ireland required

Leadership of operational planning and delivery

Competitive salary and benefits package

Senior Operational Manager (SSNS)

Location: Wembley Stadium, London (with travel across the UK & Ireland)

Contract: Fixed-term |ASAP– Summer 2028

About UK & Ireland 2028 Limited

UK & Ireland 2028 Limited is the local organising committee responsible for delivering UEFA EURO 2028 across the UK & Ireland. We work on behalf of the five Football Associations and in partnership with governments, host cities, stadiums and delivery partners to plan and deliver the tournament safely, inclusively and to world-class standards.

About UEFA EURO 2028

UEFA EURO is one of the world’s largest sporting events. In 2028, it will be hosted across multiple cities in the UK & Ireland, requiring large-scale coordination across transport, infrastructure, stadiums and public services. UEFA owns the tournament and sets requirements; UK & Ireland 2028 Limited is responsible for delivering it locally.

The Role

The Senior Operational Manager (SSNS) is responsible for leading the operational planning function and translating strategic security requirements into deliverable operational plans across all non-stadia areas of responsibility.

The Senior Operational Managerworks in close partnership with the Technical Lead (Non-Stadia) and Technical Assurance Lead (Host Cities), who retain responsibility for defining security requirements, establishing planning standards, developing policy and guidance, and serving as the primary UK&I 2028 points of contact for stakeholders within their respective areas of responsibility. The Senior Operational Manageris responsible for translating these strategic and technical requirements into executable operational plans, coordinating planning activity across the Operational Security Team and ensuring planning outputs are delivered to the required standard, quality and timescales.

What you’ll be doing

Operational Planning & Delivery

• Lead the development, implementation and maintenance of operational security plans across all non-stadia venues and activities.
• Ensure operational plans align 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.

Technical Integration & Operational Delivery

• 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.
• Ensure all operational planning outputs reflect agreed technical requirements, security standards and programme objectives.

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide leadership, direction and performance management for the Regional Security Managers and Operational Planning Team.

Workforce Planning & Resource Management

• Lead workforce mapping and resource planning activities for all non-stadia security operations.
• Identify 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.
• Support procurement activities including market engagement, tender evaluation and supplier selection processes.

Operational Readiness

• Lead readiness planning activities for non-stadia operations.
• Oversee operational exercises, testing programmes, walkthroughs and validation activities.

Venue & Event Planning

• Maintain direct responsibility for the planning and delivery of designated priority venues and events.
• Lead the development of security plans for critical outlier sites, including the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) and Final Draw.

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Technical Leads, Host City teams, venue stakeholders, contractors and statutory partners.
• Act as the primary operational planning representative within planning forums, working groups and programme governance structures.

What we’re looking for

• 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.

Please see the attached role profile for full details.

Why apply?

We offer a competitive salary and benefits (including 25 days holiday, pension and private medical insurance), alongside the opportunity to be part of a landmark international sporting event.

Location & Working Pattern

Based at Wembley Stadium, with travel across the UK & Ireland as required.

• 2026: 3 days/week onsite
• 2027: 3–4 days/week onsite

Application Process

Our process is designed to be clear and fair:

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

Everyone is welcome. We’re hiring for excellence through inclusion.

We’re building a skilled, values-led workforce that reflects the diversity of the UK and Ireland. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and don’t expect a traditional career path.

All roles are subject to appropriate DBS checks.

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