At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the planning and delivery of an unforgettable spectator experience for the Grand Départ 2027.
- Company: Join British Cycling and be part of a historic event in Manchester.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of a landmark sporting event and enhance community engagement.
- Qualifications: Experience in event operations and strong project management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 £ per year.
Salary: £45,000 per annum
Contract: Full-time, fixed term until 27th August 2027
Location: Manchester (hybrid working model, minimum 2–3 days per week in Manchester office)
Start Date: September 2026
About British Cycling
In 2027 the UK will host the Grand Départ of both the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. This will be the first time in history that both races have departed from the same country, outside of France. A landmark social impact programme will also be delivered across the UK, tackling inactivity, improving mental wellbeing, boosting economic growth and supporting communities to thrive.
A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) – Grand Départ GB 2027 – will maintain oversight of the delivery of the events and will manage public funding on behalf of DCMS, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and UK Sport. The SPV is a Joint Venture between UKEL (a new sports events company) and British Cycling. British Cycling will deliver the operational and business functions, social impact and volunteer programmes, along with all consumer-facing functions, on behalf of partners.
We are now recruiting for a Spectator Services Manager to join our growing Operations team.
About the Role
Reporting to the Event Operations Lead, our Spectator Services Manager will lead the planning, coordination and delivery of the spectator experience for the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grand Départs 2027, ensuring a safe, accessible, welcoming and memorable experience for residents, visitors and international spectators across all stages, fan zones, start and finish locations, routes and associated event activity.
Acting as the voice of the spectator, you will oversee the end-to-end visitor journey, integrating transport, accessibility, information, customer service, experience, volunteer operations and stakeholder engagement to deliver a world‑class event experience. In this coordination role, the successful candidate will play a key role in balancing world‑class spectator experiences with safe, sustainable and effective event operations.
What will you be doing?
- Leading the planning, coordination and delivery of the Tour de France (TDF) and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (TDFFaZ) Grands Departs’ spectator experience across up to six stages hosted in the UK, developing and maintaining detailed spectator operations plans.
- Representing the spectator client group at relevant meetings and working groups, delivering the agreed levels of service for all TDF / TDFFaZ spectators.
- Acting as a central point of contact for the wider team and partners on all spectator services operations and issues.
- Working with Host Local Authorities and other key partners to identify and define the various levels of spectator activation across routes, venues, communities, fan zones, viewing areas and key sporting locations.
- Developing a consistent framework for spectator services across the event whilst recognising local opportunities and requirements.
- Working closely with transport planning teams and partners to determine the appropriate levels of infrastructure, services and operational interventions required to support projected spectator demand.
- Supporting the development of spectator demand modelling and crowd forecasting alongside transport to inform operational planning and resource allocation.
- Working with relevant colleagues and partners to develop operational plans that deliver the key services required for spectators including but not limited to; medical, sanitation, water, infrastructure etc.
- Working with Venue and Route Operations, Safety and Security teams to identify the infrastructure, staffing and management controls required to maintain safe spectator environments.
- Supporting accessibility planning to ensure spectator experiences are inclusive and meet the needs of diverse audiences and communities.
- Working with Communications and Marketing teams to develop comprehensive spectator information campaigns, including travel advice, route information, accessibility guidance and event‑day communications.
- Partnering with the Social Impact team to integrate programme objectives into spectator‑facing activities and support the delivery of community engagement and animation programmes.
- Managing suppliers, contractors and service providers associated with spectator infrastructure and services.
- Monitoring risks and developing contingency plans relating to crowd management, adverse weather, transport disruption and changing operational requirements.
- Producing post‑event evaluation reports, lessons learned and recommendations for future events.
What we're looking for:
- Proven experience planning and managing spectator operations, customer experience, crowd management, event operations or public‑facing services within major sporting events, festivals or large‑scale public events.
- Strong understanding of spectator management, crowd dynamics and event operations principles.
- Experience coordinating multiple stakeholders and workstreams.
- Excellent project management, planning and organisational skills.
- Experience managing suppliers, contractors and service delivery partners.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence.
- Someone who is comfortable coordinating but not necessarily directly delivering.
- Knowledge of cycling events and road‑based sporting events would be advantageous.
Competencies and Behaviours
- You thrive in complex, fast‑paced operational environments.
- You are a proactive problem solver who can make informed decisions under pressure.
- You can balance strategic planning with practical delivery.
- You are highly organised and capable of managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
- You communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and partners.
- You are a collaborative worker building strong relationships and contribute positively to team success.
- You demonstrate resilience, adaptability and a solutions‑focused approach.
- You are passionate about delivering exceptional experiences through world‑class event operations.
Applications close: Sunday 23rd August
Spectator Services Manager - TdF Grand Depart 2027 in Manchester employer: British Cycling UK
British Cycling UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration. As a Content Production Officer, you will not only enjoy a competitive salary and generous holiday package but also have the unique opportunity to contribute to the historic Grand Départ GB 2027 project, enhancing your professional growth in the vibrant world of cycling.
