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- Tasks: Lead data projects at Manchester United, ensuring smooth operations and collaboration.
- Company: Join the iconic Manchester United, a global leader in football excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy wellness support, exclusive discounts, gym access, and enhanced career development.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative journey using data to drive success on and off the pitch.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing complex technical projects and strong stakeholder management skills required.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are core values; all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
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At Manchester United, we believe that excellence on the pitch starts with excellence off the pitch. Our team thrives in a high-performance environment, united by a shared passion for success. We aim to elevate the standard of performance through collaboration and continuous growth, creating a space where everyone can contribute their best to our common goals.
We work together at our iconic Manchester United offices, enabling connection and innovation as we look ahead to what we can achieve as a global football club. We are excited to bring in passionate people who share our vision and drive for success.
The Role
Manchester United is on an exciting journey to become a fully data-driven club, using powerful insights to make better decisions, support our people, and drive success on and off the pitch. To make this happen, we’re building a world-class data and technology function, backed by modern infrastructure, talented teams, and trusted data products that help everyone do their best work.
We’re now looking for a Football Data Operations Manager to play a key part in this transformation. In this role, you’ll help bring our data projects to life, making sure they run smoothly day-to-day, managing our partners and suppliers, and keeping everyone connected and moving in the same direction. If you’re passionate about using data to support people and drive progress, we’d love to hear from you.
The Person
Key Responsibilities
As a Football Data Operations Manager, You Will
- Coordinate planning and delivery across the Football Data group, including data engineering, software, science and analysis – ensuring projects are well-scoped, aligned to football priorities, and delivered in a structured, transparent manner.
- Act as the central delivery lead for the group: tracking dependencies, resolving blockers, and ensuring clear execution against timelines.
- Manage key relationships with third-party data and software providers, ensuring support is responsive, roadmaps reflect our needs, and contracts (new and renewal) are fit for purpose.
- Drive alignment of the club’s data vendor landscape across Men’s, Women’s, and Academy football – and extend coordination to other departments such as Commercial, where requirements and functionality allow.
- Work closely with the club’s Procurement, Finance and Legal teams to represent the group’s technical and commercial requirements.
- Partner with the club’s IT function to ensure efficient and scalable use of cloud infrastructure, with a particular focus on Azure resource optimisation and cost-efficiency.
- Introduce lightweight processes, documentation and delivery tooling to ensure clarity, accountability and continuous improvement.
What We’re Looking For
We’d love you to bring:
- Proven experience delivering complex technical projects across multi-disciplinary teams, ideally within data or software environments.
- Strong operational and organisational skills, with a track record of ensuring projects run to time and value, even when priorities evolve.
- Excellent stakeholder management – confident operating across technical, legal, procurement and vendor environments.
- Hands-on experience managing third-party technology providers (e.g. cloud, data or SaaS vendors).
- Understanding of cloud computing principles, particularly Microsoft Azure, and an interest in driving operational and financial efficiency on cloud platforms.
- Comfortable managing budgets and commercial planning, including tracking spend, supporting contract negotiations, and identifying opportunities for cost optimisation.
Desirable (but Not Essential)
- Background in data engineering, software engineering or technical programme management.
- Experience in high-performance sport or similarly fast-paced, outcome-driven environments.
- Familiarity with modern data stacks (e.g. Databricks, Azure Data Factory, Synapse, container orchestration, etc.)
What We Offer
At Manchester United, we recognise that our people are at the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a range of rewards designed to support your professional and personal well-being:
- Annual incentive scheme
- Wellness Support with access to mental health resources, digital health checks, and & nutritionists through Aviva Digicare+ Workplace
- Exclusive Discounts through our United Rewards platform, giving you access to exclusive deals from the club and partners
- Gym Facilities in our onsite locations and opportunities for regular social events and team-building activities
- Enhanced family Leave Benefits and an opportunity to purchase additional holiday days
- Enhanced Career Development with access to professional learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning, and internal training programs
- A Supportive Work Environment that values diversity, equity and inclusion, and individual growth
Our Commitment To You
At Manchester United, we believe that a diverse and inclusive environment makes us stronger. We are committed to building a team where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the core of our recruitment strategy, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Ready to Join Us?
If this sounds like the perfect role for you, please submit your application by Wednesday 13th August 2025
Manchester United is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, and as part of this commitment, all candidates will undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check and reference checks.
If you need any adjustments to help you perform at your best during the recruitment process, please feel free to contact us, and we will be happy to discuss them with you.
It is unlawful to employ a person in a UK-based job who does not have permission to live and work in the UK. You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to you before applying for any of our roles.
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Football Data Operations Manager employer: JIM - Jobs In Manchester
Contact Detail:
JIM - Jobs In Manchester Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Football Data Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Manchester United's current data initiatives and projects. Understanding their specific goals and challenges will help you demonstrate your knowledge during interviews and show how you can contribute to their vision.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the football data industry, especially those connected to Manchester United. Attend relevant events or join online forums to build relationships that could lead to referrals or insider information about the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your experience with cloud computing, particularly Microsoft Azure, in conversations. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've optimised costs or improved efficiency in previous roles, as this aligns closely with the job requirements.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your stakeholder management skills in detail. Think of examples where you've successfully navigated complex relationships across technical and non-technical teams, as this is crucial for the Football Data Operations Manager position.
We think you need these skills to ace Football Data Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Football Data Operations Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with their needs.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your proven experience in delivering complex technical projects, especially within data or software environments. Use specific examples to demonstrate your operational and organisational skills.
Showcase Stakeholder Management Skills: Since the role requires excellent stakeholder management, provide examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with third-party technology providers and other departments in previous roles.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this specific role at Manchester United. Mention your understanding of cloud computing principles, particularly Microsoft Azure, and any relevant experience in high-performance sports or fast-paced environments.
How to prepare for a job interview at JIM - Jobs In Manchester
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the key responsibilities of a Football Data Operations Manager. Familiarise yourself with how data projects are managed and delivered, as well as the importance of stakeholder management in this role.
✨Showcase Your Technical Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss your experience with cloud computing, particularly Microsoft Azure, and any relevant data engineering or software management skills. Highlight specific projects where you've successfully implemented technical solutions.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since this role involves managing relationships with various stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Be ready to provide examples of how you've effectively communicated with technical and non-technical teams in the past.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle evolving priorities. Think of scenarios from your previous roles where you successfully navigated challenges and delivered results under pressure.
