Shape the estate management of the Etihad Campus

This is your chance to shape the estate management of the Etihad Campus. Manchester City Council, on behalf of Sports City Management Company, is looking for an inspiring Etihad Campus Strategic Manager to oversee operational and development matters, servicing of the Management Company Board, performance management and leading stakeholder engagement.

Why This Role Matters

The Etihad Campus is known as a World-Class location for sport and entertainment, currently attracting over 2 million visitors per year to the Etihad Stadium, Co-op Live and our major regional sporting venues. With the completion of further developments such as Medlock Square, the Medlock Hotel and Mamma Mia the Party, this will reinforce this area as a major destination.

As part of this growth, it’s vital that we maintain a positive visitor experience and ensure that issues such as safety and security, operational matters, car parking and travel planning are delivered to a high standard.

We need a strong leader to ensure the smooth operation of the campus, to oversee the business plan and improve the campus for all visitors and partners.

What You’ll Do

Managed by the Director of Neighbourhood Delivery, you will work at a senior level, leading a core team of staff and commissioned services responsible for safety and security, operational services, event planning, travel planning and finance support. You will work with and be accountable to the shadow board/ board of Sports City Management Company (a joint management arrangement between the City Council, Manchester City Football Club and Eastlands Arena Limited) and will develop close working relationships with a wide range of other partners as part of your role. 

  • Lead with purpose: Provide effective leadership of a core team and contractors, ensuring that services deliver high-quality standards for partners and visitors. 
  • Be accountable: Lead on event planning, management and operations issues for the campus, achieving all statutory and safety responsibilities focussing on outcomes for visitors.
  • Oversee enhancement and improvements: Develop and deliver plans to improve existing assets, including communal spaces, CCTV, lighting, paths and car parking.
  • Enhance the environment: Develop opportunities in relation to improving the safety, cleanliness, management, access to and operation of the campus.
  • Financial management and business planning: Work with partners and Manchester City Council on business planning and financial matters services to plan and deliver effective management and operation of the campus.
  • Proactively lead and engage with partners: Ensure robust governance arrangements are in place for Sports City Management Company and there is strong connectivity across key priorities.
  • Champion high standards: Ensure excellent customer standards, ensuring that visitors have an excellent experience and stakeholders are engaged and data and insight is used to understand, plan and address issues.
This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of the Etihad Campus and enhance the visitor experience for millions of people.

 We’re looking for a proven leader who brings:

  • Strategic vision and commercial acumen to optimise performance, drive revenue, and deliver value for money.
  • Strong financial expertise, including experience managing complex budgets and achieving financial targets.
  • Inspirational leadership with the ability to motivate teams, lead change, and foster continuous improvement.
  • Business planning skills to develop and implement strategies, performance frameworks, and income generation initiatives.
  • Commercial mindset to identify new opportunities and maximise income streams.
  • Commitment to compliance, ensuring adherence to legislation, health & safety, and customer care standards.
  • Outstanding communication and political awareness, with the ability to influence and build effective partnerships at all levels.
  • A strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and Our Manchester Behaviours

In your application, please evidence your experience against the following criteria:

1. Comprehensive experience, knowledge and understanding of how to manage a major event location and the legislative and policy context within which the services operate. 
 
 2. A strong track record of successfully managing major leisure destinations
 
 3. Evidence of successfully working with senior stakeholders across public, private, and voluntary sectors and elected members.
 
 4. Experience of leading multidisciplinary teams, managing budgets, contracts, and delivering strategic service improvements
 
 5. Knowledge of the Statutory Responsibilities in relation to event management, civil contingencies and management of a major visitor destination.
 
 6. Hold a Degree and professional qualification/s relevant to the role. 
 
 For an informal discussion, please contact either John Rooney john.rooney@manchester.gov.uk or Yvonne O’Malley - Yvonne.O’malley@manchester.gov.uk to arrange a convenient time.
 
 Advert Closes: Sunday 20th September, 23:59
 Interviews will be held in person at the Town Hall Extension on 5th October


Working for Manchester City Council is a chance to make a real difference in a diverse city that leads change and improves lives. Whether you’re supporting communities or improving public services, you’ll help create opportunities and shape a better future for everyone

Benefits we offer 

  • Up to 26 days’ annual leave, rising to 31 days after five years’ service
  • Buy up to two extra weeks’ leave
  • Up to 3 days’ volunteering leave
  • A 35-hour work week for full-time roles
  • We review pay each year and recognise three trade unions
  • The UK’s largest local government pension scheme
  • Enhanced parental and carers leave
  • Employee discounts and perks
  • Good Employment Charter member
 For more information about working for Manchester Council, please visit Careers - Manchester City Council 

 

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council 

Manchester City Council values equality and works to provide a fair and inclusive environment for a workforce that is as diverse as the communities it serves. We want to further increase the diversity of our workforce, in particular the number of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and disabled staff at all levels of the Council. This advert is open to all applicants, and we would particularly welcome applications from candidates identifying with one or both of those characteristics.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme 

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

  •  Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
  •  Are currently in care, or have previously been in care.
  •  If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term condition
  •  Have you completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programmes?

 When You Join Us 

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

  • A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
  • Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
  • A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email  specialistrecruitment@manchester.gov.uk

What we will need from you if you're successful 

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.  

 

Other relevant information 

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. 

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.
 
GM Elevate Programme
If you have completed the GM Elevate( Leadership Development) Programme within the last two years, please indicate this within the 'Personal Statement' section or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application.
 
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) 
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
 
Accessible Formats
Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone. 
 
Calculate your take home pay. Use this service to estimate how much Income Tax and National Insurance you should pay for the current tax year.
 

Ready to apply?

Location

, , Manchester, , United Kingdom

Job ID

8895

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This section brings together everything you need to succeed - from guidance on writing an authentic application to understanding how to use AI responsibly.

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This guidance outlines acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI, along with suggestions for using it in a way that supports you while keeping your application true to you.

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    We recognise that AI can be a helpful tool to support accessibility during the application process. If you choose to use AI for support, please read the instructions carefully and make sure your application is written in your own words, reflecting your genuine skills, knowledge, experience and enthusiasm.

    We’re looking forward to hearing your story.

  3. How to use AI Effectively and Responsibly

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    • Who you are

    • What you can bring

    • The values you hold

    • Why you want to make a difference

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    • Give examples of how to use STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result)

    • Proof-read to highlight grammar or spelling errors

    • Provide inspiration if you're finding it difficult to find the right words to explain something

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    • Use AI as a supportive tool, not a replacement

    • Ask AI to help tidy up your writing or clarify structure

    • Use it to brainstorm examples, then rewrite them in your own voice

    • Reflect on AI suggestions and adapt them to match your experience

    • Use AI to help with research, but express your understanding yourself

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    • Copy and paste AI-generated content directly into your application

    • Let AI exaggerate or invent experience you do not have

    • Rely on generic statements that don’t reflect the specific role requirements

    • Remove your individuality, we want to hear your voice

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