Oak View Group is the global leader in venue development, management, and premium hospitality services for the live event industry.  Offering an unmatched, 360-degree solution set for a collection of world-class owned venues and a client roster that includes the most influential, highest attended arenas, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions on the planet.

More information at OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. 

We’re on a mission to create the best live music experience in the UK.

Co-op Live offers a warm Manchester welcome to over 23,000 fans and amazing artists. With innovative smart ‘bowl’ design, cutting edge visual and acoustic technology, plus 32 amazing bars and restaurants and 12 premium lounges and clubs, we’ve created a unique space for the people of Manchester and beyond. World class, planet friendly and all in the heart of our local vibrant community.

For more information - Co-op Live

We are looking for an energetic, self-motivated Programming Manager that is beyond ecstatic about live music, events and loves Manchester!

This role is super exciting and integral to the Programming team, managing Co-op Live’s busy arena diary you will be working with promoters to secure the best talent from music, corporate events, comedy, sport and entertainment.  You will be the first to know who will be performing on our stage!

You will also lead the programming in ‘The Street’ and our smaller lounge/club spaces that surround the arena, this will have a focus on supporting grass root artists, DJ’s, club nights, gigs, after-parties and house-bands.

We are seeking someone who is forward-thinking, ambitious and ready to leap into action. Please note that this is an office-based role.

• Champion strong and positive relationships with promoters, agents and partners. Be the 'go to' contact to establish an innovative and exciting event diary
• Secure 120+ per year of the best arena events in the touring markets of music, comedy, entertainment and sports
• Provide the arena’s availability and pencil status, manage diary challenges to resolve calendar conflicts to secure an arena date
• Agree the arena commercial rental terms, hire inclusions, and issue event hiring contracts that include specific event deal terms
• Service the programming team with contractual and confirmation processes
• Participate in weekly Event Booking Meetings, providing updates and briefings to relevant teams (F&B, marketing, venue operations, ticketing)
• Be knowledgeable on venue information: seating configurations and ticketing capacity, event change over timings, technical specifications and operations capabilities
• Organise and host promoter tours/walk throughs at Co-op Live. Confidently present to internal and external stakeholders
  
• Be knowledgeable of the live touring market in the UK, US and other markets, identify artists and events suitable for future arena shows
• Know your market, what the other Manchester and wider UK venue capacities are, and their event schedules, to keep competitive and indentify trends/opportunities
• Track activity, arena sales and analysis reports. Work collaboratively with inhouse departments to plan onsales and marketing promotions, to maximise ticket sales.
• Identify events for ‘The Street’ our 2,500 capacity ‘venue in a venue’ space. Programming to include regular known Club Nights, DJ sets, gigs and pre/post entertainment

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
• Key objectives for you to succeed in your role

Salary: £38,000 - £42,000

• 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 refreshments and breakfast items
• Team social events

Essential

• Previous experience in programming a venue diary
• Strategic thinker that can problem-solve, keen eye for identifying opportunities and mitigating risks
• Self-motivated with strong organisational skills, ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results
• Team player, that is highly motivated and has positive energy, motivated to work in a high achieving environment
• Have a strong passion to network and have an interest in attending gigs to meet music promoters across the industry
• Thrive when its buzzing and show resilience, taking control, making decisions to meet tight deadlines
• Commercially astute, strategically sound and knowledgable of your specialism
• Excellent communication, organisation and presentation skills
• Know your audience and continuously look for ways to promote Co-op Live as a destination of choice
• Analyse feedback and continuously look for ways to improve client experience
• Ability to work under pressure with excellent attention to detail to maintain a high standard of service, across multiple projects 

Desirable

• Arena or venue diary management in the event/live music industry
• Relationship building with promoters, agents and agencies

Closing date for applications: 7 November 2024

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.

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.

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.