Venue Event Manager

Job Description

Almost a year since opening our doors to up to 23,500 fans per show, Co-op Live continues to attract world-class talent and events, drawing comparisons to and surpassing the world’s greatest live entertainment venues in show programming, sound, fan experience, premium hospitality, food and beverage, and more. The UK’s largest live entertainment arena is driven by a dedicated team of music and live event lovers, passionate about offering every visitor, fan, artist, and partner an unrivalled experience, before, during and after every event, as well as giving back to our local community and our planet. Partnership is at our heart, with Co-op Live excelling through meaningful alliances with the likes of naming rights partner Co-op, united by a joint vision to be the very best. The first venue in the UK for owners and operators Oak View Group (OVG), Co-op Live spearheads expansion into Europe and rest of world, a jewel in the crown of a globally renowned portfolio.

Role Purpose

Working for one of the biggest live entertainment arenas in the UK, Co-op Live are looking for an experienced Venue Event Manager to join our awesome Venue Management Team working directly with the Head of Venue Management.

Since opening our doors we have hosted over 80 epic events! With a further 120 Events scheduled for 2025! As a Venue Manager, you will lead the planning and delivery for allocated events, providing event management expertise to manage the event from on sale through to delivery. You will work with colleagues across the venue to ensure all of our fans, guests and promoters and event owners have an incredible experience at our venue.

Responsibilities

You will play a key role in the continued development and refining of outstanding ways of working, thinking outside the box and challenging how we do things to manage events across the arena to the highest standards.

The venue management team champions all event delivery activity in the building so the role will cover events in the arena bowl and other event spaces including premium.

A top priority is ensuring we adhere to our licensing conditions, venue policies and fostering excellent working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

On event days, you will be rostered along with other Venue Managers to fulfil a number of event roles including Duty Venue Manager, Safety Officer and Duty Front of House Manager. Our key focus is delivering an industry-leading experience for our fans and artists and creating the most phenomenal experience for all fans and artists coming to Manchester and enjoying the offering we have at Co-op Live!

What Co-op Live will give to you

Alongside the benefit of working with an awesome team of talented people, we want to help you get the best out of your work and have a work life balance.

• Provide you with development opportunities and regular one to ones
• Key objectives for you to succeed in your role
• Your general wellbeing is at the forefront of our minds, we understand the importance of balancing work and personal commitments
• This is an office base role, it’s really important we work together to mobilise the biggest music and live entertainment arena in the UK
• Working 5 out of 7 days - this will include evenings and weekends

Salary: Up to £45,000 dependent on experience

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Employer pension scheme
• Private Health Care scheme – Vitality
• Life Assurance 4 x basic salary
• Eyecare vouchers
• WeCare Employee Assistance Programme to support you and your family 24hrs, 7 days per week when you need the service
• Company sick pay scheme
• Enhanced family friendly benefits
• Office fruit & snacks
• Team social events

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

We would love to hear from you if you are an Event Manager and bring a wealth of industry experience including -

• Being able to demonstrate your experience in managing large events ideally in an arena or stadium environment
• Substantial experience working on the planning and delivery of live events ideally operating within a venue or stadium setting

You will also have experience writing operational and communication plans, understand security, crowd management and crowd safety principles for entertainment venues / stadium /arenas and possess a minimum level of an IOSH Managing Safely qualification or equivalent. Ideally as the Venue Event Manager, you will be comfortable with AutoCAD tools and have the ability to lead and inspire others as well as being results-focused with your approach and positive team player.

This role is key when it comes to being the point of contact for all that goes on within the Venue! You will play a leading role and form key relationships with City Football Group – our joint venture partners; Co-op Live team – everyone involved in creating this amazing experience and our Partners/Sponsors! This is truly the opportunity to be a part of an amazing team and journey!

Our Inclusion Commitments

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 understand that to continue positively disrupting the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We also believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence. We are committed to creating a great place to work amplifying voices from all different backgrounds. There is something for everyone at Co-op Live, come and get involved.

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.

Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work

We recognise the importance of safeguarding, dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview.

If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the ‘Eligibility to Work in the UK’ requirements.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-r1q0bm-18-223-206-27-42 in your application.