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.

Start your finance career in the UK’s most exciting live entertainment venue!

Think finance is all about spreadsheets? Think again. At Co-op Live, Manchester’s world-class arena, numbers are what keep the magic of live events alive. We’re looking for a Finance Apprentice to join our busy team and help power the biggest gigs, tours, and shows in the country, all while earning a nationally recognised finance qualification.

From international tours to daily operations, you’ll be right at the heart of the action, rotating across core areas of finance and learning how every transaction, payment, and report helps make unforgettable events happen.

You’ll be immersed in the fast-paced world of live entertainment finance – supporting everything from processing invoices and preparing customer bills to chasing payments and reconciling accounts. One day you might be assisting with event reports and financial settlements for a sold-out concert, and the next you could be helping with payroll for our casual event crew. You’ll get stuck into month-end tasks, test finance systems, document new processes, and work closely with other departments to understand how finance supports every corner of our business. Along the way, you’ll gain real-world experience and skills that will set you up for a successful finance career.

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

Salary: Up to £28,000 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

What we’re looking for
You don’t need previous finance experience – just an interest in the field, a love for live events, and a proactive, can-do attitude. If you’re organised, detail-focused, and ready to learn, you’ll fit right in.

You’ll get a nationally recognised finance qualification, hands-on experience in one of the UK’s busiest live entertainment venues, and an insider’s view of how world-class events are delivered. With mentorship from our experienced finance team, great staff perks, wellbeing benefits, and real opportunities to progress, this is more than just an apprenticeship - it’s the start of something big.

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. 

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.