Venue Director: Co-op Live Manchester

Role Overview

The Venue Director is a key leadership role within Co-op Live’s Executive Committee & Senior Leadership Team, responsible for overseeing all aspects of Venue Management, Ticketing, Fan Experience, Business Development, Special Projects & Experience, and Sustainability. The Venue Director will drive the strategic and operational excellence of the arena, ensuring seamless event delivery, exceptional guest experiences, and innovative commercial initiatives. The Venue Director will deputise for the General Manager when required and play a critical role in shaping the arena’s ongoing development as Europe’s best and most sustainable live entertainment venue.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
• Develop and execute a comprehensive long-term venue operations strategy, ensuring alignment with the overall business vision and overall Co-op Live strategic plan.
• Act as deputy for the General Manager when required, to ensure continuity of service to all external parties.
• Participate as Duty Gold. Ensure leadership and support as part of the crisis management plan.
• Oversee and continuously improve the fan experience strategy, ensuring Co-op Live delivers best-in-class experiences for fans, artists, promoters, and partners.
• Assist the General Manager (GM) in achieving commercial and financial success for the business.
• Lead the development of Co-op Live’s accessibility strategy and subsequent projects ensuring the venue meets the needs of all users.
• Define and implement key operational KPIs and reporting mechanisms to evaluate performance, identify opportunities and drive continuous improvement.
• Own and manage the venue operations budget, ensuring cost efficiencies and strategic financial planning for both day-to-day operations and large-scale projects.
• Promote a customer service culture throughout the Venue operational departments ensuring that the reputation of Co-op Live is upheld.
• Maintain, monitor and improve Fan and Promoter satisfaction levels.
• Develop and implement resilience strategies, ensuring robust contingency planning across all operational areas.
• Establish and uphold areas of legal compliance and industry-leading best practices by creating and implementing operational manuals, standard operating procedures (SOPs), ISO accreditation and benchmarking frameworks.
• Own the end-to-end ticketing strategy and operations in collaboration with ticketing partners.
• Work with the Security & Facilities Director to implement a robust Security Strategy including effective Incident Management, Contingency and Crisis Communication plans.
• Develop and manage an arena operations team that will effectively support a major music/entertainment events calendar each year.
• Support and input into the development and implementation of the arena goals, the board’s objectives, corporate policy, and good business practice.
• Keep all stakeholder appraised of relevant information/reporting.
• Ensure there are effective systems and practice of communication so that staff understand the direction of the business.
• Oversee a diverse portfolio of operational projects, ensuring alignment with business priorities and objectives.
• Drive operational transformation by implementing strategic initiatives that enhance venue capabilities, efficiency and sustainability.
• Implement risk management strategies to mitigate potential operational, financial and reputational risks while identifying commercial opportunities.
• Champion and manage Special Projects & Experience across the venue from pilot activations to venue innovation.
• Ensure operational CAPEX requirements are identified, following the Co-op Live CAPEX process.

Operational Management

• Ensure all health and safety requirements are met during events and activities.
• Lead all operational delivery through effective management of direct reports and areas of responsibility.
• Lead the review and enhancement of operational systems, processes and business practices to drive efficiency and effectiveness.
• Develop a comprehensive Operations Manual, ensuring clear governance structures and streamlined operations.
• Implement scalable systems and processes that support long-term business growth and operational excellence.
• Manage event performance using data analytics to identify commercial opportunities to maximise revenue on event days.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with security, facilities, technology, and production teams.
• Actively participate in long-term venue planning, contributing to strategic growth, technology innovation, and the shaping of industry-leading practices.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with stakeholders including sponsors, suppliers, artist management, City Football Group, and local authorities.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Extensive event operational leadership experience in a similar mid to large-scale venue, in the entertainment or sports venue sector.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Possesses excellent strategic thinking and influencing skills.
• Highly results-focused, with a strong drive for success.
• Strong capability of budgetary management, cost control and P&L responsibility.
• Facility Management experience preferred.
• Strong relationship builder, adaptable and flexible in responding to change.
• Holds a thorough understanding of governance, safety, and security requirements associated with large-scale events and venues.
• Demonstrated expertise in complex project management, stakeholder engagement and risk mitigation.
• Brings strong commercial awareness of operational delivery.
• Offers extensive project mobilisation and project management experience.

Desirable

• Experience of obtaining and operating under a Premise License.
• Critical understanding of the Safety at Sports Grounds (Green Guide) Guidance and Venues.
• Senior experience in the music, sport or entertainment industry.
• H&S Qualification such as NEBOSH General Certificate, NVQ Level 5 Occupational H&S, NVQ 4 Spectator Safety.
• Understanding of the Construction, Design & Management (CDM) Regulations 2015.

Our Inclusion Commitment

Our venue is for the fans, the artists, everyone! Attracting a diverse workforce which reflects our local community is what will make our venue the best music venue in the UK! We believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence.

If you do require any additional support or reasonable adjustments to support your application, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure you have everything you need.

We will consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the required skills necessary to fulfil the role.

Remuneration

Competitive Six Figure Base Salary Annual Bonus up to 20% Excellent Benefits

Application Process

To apply please send a short covering letter, current CV and details of current or expected remuneration to our retained search consultancy PSD Group at: cooplive@psdgroup.com. Closing date for applications is Friday 21st November 2025.

We recognise the importance of safeguarding our people, fans and artists, you will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS).