At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead operations at a top sports venue, ensuring exceptional experiences and safety.
- Company: Join Lancashire Cricket Club, a premier UK sports and entertainment venue.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team driving operational excellence in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of iconic events and enhance customer experiences in a vibrant setting.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in operations, strong commercial awareness, and excellent stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Lancashire Cricket Club is one of the UK's leading sports and entertainment venues. Alongside elite domestic and international cricket, Emirates Old Trafford hosts major concerts, conferences, hospitality, and a 250-bedroom hotel, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
As Operations Director, you will play a pivotal role in the Club's future growth, leading all operational functions across Emirates Old Trafford and the Club's new training ground at Farington. This is an opportunity to shape the operation of one of the country's most diverse venue businesses, balancing commercial performance with exceptional customer experiences, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance.
The Impact You'll Make
- You will provide strategic leadership across all operational functions, overseeing facilities, maintenance, engineering, housekeeping, stadium events, safety and security, guest services, and the operational delivery of the Club's conference, hospitality, and hotel business.
- You will drive operational performance by improving customer service, maximising profitability, controlling costs, and ensuring the Club consistently delivers against its commercial objectives.
- You will lead the operational planning and delivery of major sporting events, international fixtures, concerts, and conferences, ensuring every event is delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards.
- You will take ownership of the Club's compliance framework, maintaining key operating licences and building strong relationships with local authorities, emergency services, and regulatory bodies to ensure the venue continues to operate safely and effectively.
- Working closely with senior leaders across the business, you will develop high-performing teams, improve operational standards, and create an environment where collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement underpin every aspect of the operation.
Your Skills and Experience
- Proven senior operational leadership experience within a stadium, major venue, live events, hospitality, or complex facilities environment.
- Strong experience managing both facilities operations and customer-facing services across large, multi-functional venues.
- A proven track record of delivering operational excellence while improving commercial performance and controlling costs.
- Strong knowledge of health and safety, venue licensing, compliance, and risk management.
- Experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams and building a high-performance culture.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to work effectively alongside regulators, emergency services, suppliers, and senior colleagues.
- Strong commercial awareness, financial management, and budget ownership.
- A calm, decisive leadership style with the ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced operational environment.
If you're looking for an opportunity to lead the operation of one of the UK's most iconic sporting venues and play a key role in its future growth, we'd love to hear from you. Click the apply button to find out more.
Operations Director in Manchester employer: Emirates Old Trafford, Lancashire Cricket Club
Lancashire Cricket Club is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at one of the UK's premier sports and entertainment venues. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead diverse teams and shape operational excellence while enjoying a collaborative culture that prioritises accountability and continuous improvement. Located at Emirates Old Trafford, you will be part of a vibrant community that hosts major events, providing a unique chance to make a significant impact in the world of sports and hospitality.
Contact Details:
Emirates Old Trafford, Lancashire Cricket Club Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Director in Manchester
✨Get Involved in Local Sports Communities
Dive into your local sports scene! Attend community games, coaching sessions, and meet-ups. Building relationships with coaches and team managers can help you uncover job opportunities before they even hit the job boards.
✨Leverage Internships and Volunteering
Even though you’re after a full-time role, don’t underestimate internships or volunteering in sports organisations. These positions not only give you hands-on experience but can also lead to permanent openings. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to make your face known in the industry!
✨Visit Sports Job Fairs
Keep an eye out for sports job fairs and career expos specific to the recreation management field. These events are goldmines for meeting hiring managers from organisations like Emirates Old Trafford, Lancashire Cricket Club. Bring your A-game and be ready to chat about how you can contribute to their team!
✨Apply Through Our Website
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We think you need these skills to ace Operations Director in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Passion for Sports:In your cover letter, let your enthusiasm for sports and recreation shine through! We want to see your genuine interest in the industry and how it's shaped your career choices. Sharing specific experiences, like managing a team or organising an event, can really make you stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, focus on any relevant internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs related to sports and recreation management. Make sure to quantify your achievements – did you increase team participation by a certain percentage or successfully lead a project? Numbers speak volumes!
Tailor Your CV for Sports Management:Use a CV format that emphasises your skills in leadership, teamwork, and event coordination. Don’t forget to include specific training or certifications that relate to sports management, as these can set you apart from other applicants. We love seeing candidates with relevant qualifications!
Express Your Long-Term Goals:In your application, we want to see your career aspirations in sports management. Don’t hesitate to include how you envision your future in this industry and how joining Emirates Old Trafford, Lancashire Cricket Club aligns with those goals. We’re looking for candidates who are not just a perfect fit for the role but are also excited about growing with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Emirates Old Trafford, Lancashire Cricket Club
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sports
When chatting with Emirates Old Trafford, Lancashire Cricket Club, make sure to express your genuine love for sports and recreation. Share experiences that showcase your passion, whether it's managing a local sports team, organising events, or simply being an active participant in various activities. This helps them see you're not just a fit on paper, but also someone who truly cares about the field.
✨Showcase Your Management Skills
This role is all about managing resources and people, so be ready to discuss your leadership and organisational skills. Prepare some examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, particularly in a sports or recreation setting. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique to make your answers concise and impactful.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect case studies or scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. You might be asked how you would handle a tricky situation, such as resolving a conflict between team members or managing a crisis during a major event. Think through these scenarios and practice how you’d articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Demonstrate Enthusiasm for Team Collaboration
In the sports and recreation management field, teamwork is essential. During the interview, be prepared to discuss how you work within a team and foster a collaborative environment. Share success stories where teamwork led to a positive outcome, emphasising how you built relationships and encouraged participation among team members to achieve a common goal.
