Principal Venue Manager - Wigan Market

Priority Candidates will be considered in the first instance

Wigan Market at Fettlers

Salary: Grade 12, £55,224 - £59,273 per annum.

37 hours per week

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:

As Principal Venue Manager, this is a rare opportunity for an experienced, hands-on leader to shape the future of Wigan Market at Fettlers, one of the borough's most significant regeneration projects.

You'll lead a vibrant destination where independent traders, food, drink, events and community life come together. We're looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, builds strong relationships, inspires teams and combines commercial awareness with a passion for people and place.

You'll be equally comfortable setting strategy, driving performance and being visible on the ground, ensuring traders succeed, customers return and the venue becomes a destination the borough is proud of.

About you:

We’re looking for an experienced and inspiring leader with a strong track record of managing successful markets, food halls, hospitality, events, leisure or multi-tenant retail venues.

You will be commercially astute, customer-focused and confident in leading teams, managing budgets and building positive relationships with independent businesses and stakeholders. With excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills, you will be passionate about creating vibrant destinations, driving performance and delivering outstanding visitor experiences.

A flexible approach is essential, including a visible presence during evenings and weekends when required.

About us:

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.

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

Wigan Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. As part of this commitment, Wigan Council operates robust Safer Recruitment procedures

We recognise that on occasion candidates may use AI tools. Please read our applying authentically section below before submitting your application.

For a confidential discussion about the opportunity, please contact, Emma Forbes at Next Phase on 07479 989742 or Conrad Heald on 07818 075627.

Interview dates:

Priority Candidates: Wednesday 18th November 2026

All other Candidates: Thursday 19th November 2026

This is a politically restricted role

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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