City Operations Manager - Euro 28 in London

Strategy and Communications sits at the centre of the organisation, bringing together several teams with organisation-wide remits and mutual collaboration opportunities. The work of the directorate’s teams includes delivery of major events, designing and leading public affairs or marketing campaigns, providing data, evidence and analysis, leading cross-organisational programmes, to making sure we plan for and can respond to emerging events or emergencies in our city.

EURO 2028 sits within the GLA Major Sport Events Team.

This role will lead the planning and coordination of the Safety, Security and Services workstream for UEFA EURO 2028 in London. Working to the Senior Manager, City Operations, the postholder will develop and coordinate operational plans and activities that ensure London is safe, secure and effectively serviced throughout the tournament, delivering a positive experience for spectators, residents, workforce, teams, officials and VIPs. The role will work closely with UEFA, UK & Ireland 2028, statutory agencies, local authorities and service providers to support the successful delivery of tournament operations in London. The postholder will also work in close partnership with the Mobility Manager – EURO 2028 to ensure transport, movement, safety, security and service plans are fully integrated within the wider city operations programme.

What your day will look like:

• Leading the Safety, Security and Services workstream for EURO 2028.
• Coordinating operational planning with UEFA, partners and stakeholders.
• Developing plans to support safe and successful tournament delivery.
• Managing relationships across government, emergency services and event partners.
• Driving operational readiness through workshops, exercises and planning meetings.
• Monitoring risks, issues and operational dependencies.
• Preparing briefings and updates for senior stakeholders.

Skills, knowledge and experience:

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Knowledge and experience of the events industry, particularly operational delivery.
• Experience of coordinating multiple stakeholders and operational partners to deliver safety, security and service requirements within a large-scale event or complex operational environment.
• Experience of operational planning and delivery, particularly in relation to safety, security, resilience, stewarding, spectator welfare, medical provision and city services within a major event or public-facing environment.
• Experience of developing operational plans and coordinating delivery across partner organisations.
• Experience of managing supplier, contractor and stakeholder relationships.
• Experience of operating in a politically sensitive environment and handling communications in this context.

Building & Managing Relationships:

…is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance:

• Actively engages partners and encourages others to build relationships that support GLA objectives.
• Understands and recognises the contributions that staff at all levels make to delivering priorities.
• Proactively manages partner relationships, preventing or resolving any conflict.
• Adapts style to work effectively with partners, building consensus, trust and respect.
• Delivers objectives by bringing together diverse stakeholders to work effectively in partnership.

Communicating and Influencing:

… is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate and engage with us.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance:

• Encourages and supports teams in engaging in transparent and inclusive communication.
• Influences others and gains buy-in using compelling, well thought through arguments.
• Negotiates effectively to deliver GLA priorities.
• Synthesises the complex viewpoints of others, recognises where compromise is necessary and brokers agreement.
• Advocates positively for the GLA both within and outside the organisation.

Planning & Organising:

… is thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance:

• Prioritises work in line with key team or project deliverables.
• Makes contingency plans to account for changing work priorities, deadlines and milestones.
• Identifies and consults with sponsors or stakeholders in planning work.
• Pays close attention to details, ensuring team’s work is delivered to a high standard.
• Negotiates realistic timescales for work delivery, ensuring team deliverables can be met.

Responding to Pressure and Change:

… is being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, workload increases, tensions rise or priorities shift.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance:

• Maintains a focus on key priorities and deliverables, staying resilient in the face of pressure.
• Anticipates and adapts flexibly to changing requirements.
• Uses challenges as an opportunity to learn and improve.
• Participates fully and encourages others to engage in change initiatives.
• Manages team’s well-being, supporting them to cope with pressure and change.

Responsible use of Resources:

…is taking personal responsibility for using and managing resources effectively, efficiently and sustainably.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance:

• Allocates financial and people resources efficiently to maximise value for team and wider organisation.
• Thinks in terms of maximum efficiency when planning resource allocation.
• Implements good practice on efficient use of resources.
• Monitors financial performance and efficiency of own team, ensuring delivery of work within budget.
• Negotiates and manages contracts responsibly across a diverse supplier base.

Decision Making:

… is forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability for results.

Level 3 indicators of effective performance:

• Takes decisions as necessary on the basis of the information available.
• Makes decisions without unnecessarily referring to others.
• Involves and consults internal and external stakeholders early in decisions that impact them.
• Identifies potential barriers to decision making and initiates action to move a situation forward.
• Demonstrates awareness of the GLA’s decision making processes and how to use them.

This role is based at London Fire Brigade’s Head Office (Union Street SE1 0LL).

If you have questions about the role, please contact the hiring manager Arwyn Davies.

This role DOES NOT meet the criteria for sponsorship for external candidates. It may meet the criteria for sponsorship for some internal candidates, in limited circumstances.

Equality, diversity and inclusion:

London's diversity is its biggest asset, and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part-time work as this role is open to job share.

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible.

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest-free season ticket loan, interest-free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record (DBS) check but some roles may require additional security screening.

The GLA is proud to be a Level 2: Disability Confident employer. We are committed to becoming a more inclusive and accessible organisation, and creating a truly inclusive and accessible workplace and culture for our disabled staff. We have named Disability Equality as a key corporate priority within our EDI Strategy. We welcome and encourage applications from disabled applicants. Should you wish to opt into the scheme, please let us know during your application.