Service Manager - LSV Chief Operating Officer

Priority Candidates will be considered in the first instance

Salary: Grade 14, £61,706 - £66,043 per annum.

37 hours per week

Permanent

We're on a journey to build a workforce reflective of our Borough.

We are committed to fostering diverse teams where everybody can bring their authentic selves to work and feel that they belong. If you want to work for a Council where everybody is encouraged to meet their full potential and make a difference in our neighbourhoods, we would love to hear from you!

Your role:
Leigh Sports Village is a pioneering multi-sector development situated between Manchester and Liverpool, just a few minutes off the A580 and the M6. The village provides state of the art facilities for sport, physical activity, education, health, and leisure that serves the whole community. The centrepiece of the development is a 12,000-capacity stadium, home to professional rugby league team Leigh Leopards and Manchester United Women’s and Under 21’s football teams.

This role is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and ambitious senior leader to join the team at Leigh Sport Village as we evolve our business and develop our plans for the next 10 years and beyond. You will play a lead role in the delivery of the business and deputise for the Manging Director when necessary. The role includes the need to:

• Lead the safe, compliant, and efficient delivery of all operational services across LSV’s multi-site estate.
• Represent LSV at the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) and lead compliance with the General Safety Certificate.
• Review and implement revised SOPs, health & safety procedures, and site-wide compliance documentation.
• Lead improvements in customer experience through the Ticket Office, including service standards.

Provide leadership and line management to:

• Safety & Security
• Facilities & Maintenance
• Grounds
• Ticketing & Box Office

About you:

• A degree and or a wide range of extensive relevant project management experience and can demonstrate evidence of continual profession and personal development.
• Management qualification level 5 IHM or equivalent experience.
• Detailed understanding of relevant local and government legislation and regulations.
• Evidence of successful working across organisational boundaries and in partnership/collaboration activities at a local and regional level.
• Extensive experience leading operations in complex venues or multi-use sites, ideally within sport, leisure, or public service.
• Very high level of communication skills, and can use a range of influencing, negotiating and persuasion techniques.
• In-depth knowledge of health and safety frameworks (e.g. Green Guide, Purple Guide) and emergency planning.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen, including budget management and income accountability.
• Drives change and is confident in manging people’s reaction to it. Can inspire others and quickly build other’s confidence in your ability to deliver what they need and transfer that confidence to others.
• Proven ability to work constructively with Senior Management, stakeholders and partners to enhance service delivery and performance.
• Willingness to undertake further training, including NVQ Level 4 in Spectator Safety Management, IOSH, or NEBOSH.

The successful candidate will require an enhanced DBS check to be completed to start this role.

About us:
Wigan Council has been voted ‘Overall Council of the Year’ at the APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) Awards. We are signed up to the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment ensuring that your service will be continuous or 'unbroken' between the supporting organisations.

The Progress with Unity plan is a place movement for change for the next decade, bringing a new era for Wigan Borough. It draws on the strengths of our individual organisations, recognising that together we can achieve much more for our communities by delivering on our 2 place missions; create fair opportunities for all children, families, residents and businesses and make our towns and neighbourhoods flourish for those who live and work in them.

Our mission statement is simple: “To be the number one venue for health, education, sport & events. Ensuring that wellbeing, sporting culture and educational opportunities are equally available to all, through engagement and co-production with our local communities”

Here at Wigan, we are proud to support flexible working patterns, when the service can accommodate this. We also take a blended approach to where we work, depending on the work we do. This may include working from home, the office, or the community. We like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of exclusive rewards and benefits click here to find out more about working for #TeamWigan.

To be appointed to this role you must be able to prove your right to work in the UK, and you must maintain a valid (active) right to work. Please note, at present we are not a licenced sponsor. Please visit the link below to check you qualify to apply. Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Prove your right to work to an employer

For further information, please contact John Herriott for an informal chat if you are interested in the role 07795592803.

Interview date: Wednesday 12^th August / Thursday 13^th August 2026

This position is subject to Enhanced Disclosure Procedures plus adult and child barred list check

The employer is committed to safeguarding

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.

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