Head of Operations

Organisation

UKEL Ltd

Salary

55,000

Location

Home-based, with regular travel to Manchester and Loughborough

Contract type

Fixed Term (Full time)

Closing date

13 September 2026

Interview date

25 September 2026

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Head of Operations to lead the operational planning and delivery of the Festival. Working closely with the Event Director, the role will provide senior operational leadership across a broad range of stakeholders, partners, suppliers, sponsors and the local organising committee, helping to shape a landmark event that becomes a regular fixture in Manchester’s events calendar.

The Head of Operations will lead all aspects of planning and delivery across venues, sports and host city operations, ensuring the Festival is delivered safely, effectively and to a high standard.

Key responsibilities
• Lead the operational planning and delivery for the Festival including venue operations, host city operations and sport operations.
• Act as the main operational point of contact with the venues and NGB’s to ensure the venues accommodate each sport and wider Festival activity in accordance with specific requirements.
• Work with Manchester City Council to ensure Festival operational planning fully aligns with wider host city activity.
• Appoint and manage an event services partner to oversee key functional areas such as security, transport, broadcast and media activity, etc.
• Coordinate multiple workstreams and agencies to ensure an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to Festival operations. This will include establishing and being a part of key working groups, to collaborate and ensure transparency across planning and delivery.
• Manage contracts and supplier relationships.
• Oversee budgets, ensuring delivery remains on track and within budget.
• Provide regular briefings, reports and assurance to the Event Director, and other stakeholders as required.
• Identify and manage operational, delivery and reputational risks.
• Work with UKEL central team to co-ordinate core readiness activities.
Key skills, experience and qualifications required (Essential)
• Significant experience in senior leadership within large-scale events, festivals or major cultural projects.
• Experience of venue management and/or venue operations on multiple sites.
• Strong understanding of city operations.
• Proven ability to work with and lead diverse teams, partners and suppliers.
• Ability to manage budgets.
• Experience in contract management, procurement and supplier management.
• Proven experience coordinating multiple stakeholders and delivery partners.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to engage with partners and stakeholders at all levels.

Key skills, experience and qualifications required:
(Desirable: recognising that applicants will not possess experience/expertise in all areas)
• Experience working on major sports events is highly desirable.
Behavioural competencies and qualities required
• Proven ability to work across multiple workstreams and work with cross-organisational teams.
• Proven ability to find creative and innovative solutions to complex problems and to work with a range of partners to implement them.
• Takes a collaborative approach to partnership working.
• Calm, resilient and solutions focused.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight time scales.
• Commitment to delivering excellence.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a one-page covering letter, highlighting how your skills and experience are relevant to the outlined requirements of the role, by email to: hello@ukel.co.uk

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