Head of Wholesale and Retail Markets at Manchester City Council

About The Role
Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week (Working 5 days out of 7, including weekends)

Additional Payments: Casual Car Allowance and 6.7% Flexibility Payment 

Legal Right to Work: Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position. 

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

• Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. 

This role is subject to - 

• 2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.
• Casual Car Documentation - The successful candidate will be a designated Casual Car User which means that car journeys may be necessary on an occasional basis, but are not essential to the role. If you do drive, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work, as well as provide all the appropriate documentation. You will receive an allowance per mile of business use. 
• Driving Licence – The successful candidate should hold a full clean driving licence as you will be required to drive a vehicle adhering to council regulations. 

The role provides inspirational leadership for a customer‑focused, commercially aware service critical to Manchester’s local economy. Reporting to the Strategic Lead Business Units, you will lead a varied and high‑profile portfolio, including: 

• New Smithfield Wholesale Market 
• Weekly Sunday Market & Car Boot at New Smithfield 
• Retail markets at Longsight and Gorton 
• Oversight of business support and property services for the market estate 
• Management of Market Rights across the city 
• Future development of market-related services, buildings and commercial opportunities 
• You will play a central role in shaping the long‑term vision for the Markets Service — ensuring they remain safe, vibrant, customer‑focused environments that reflect the city’s values and meet the needs of diverse communities and traders. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Provide strategic direction and leadership to continuously improve service quality and customer experience 
• Use insight, data and effective performance management to shape future service delivery 
• Build strong partnerships across the Council, external agencies, traders and community stakeholders 
• Champion Manchester’s “Our Manchester” behaviours, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and inclusion 
• Ensure compliance with health & safety legislation and best practice 
• Deliver robust financial and resource management, ensuring best value 
• Drive commercial growth, business performance improvements and long‑term market development 
• Lead staff teams, setting clear expectations and supporting personal and professional development 

About the Candidate

•  You are a confident and experienced leader with a passion for people, place and customer service. You will bring: 
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills 
• An analytical, solutions‑focused mindset 
• Proven decision‑making abilities, including in high‑pressure situations 
• Experience managing budgets, contracts and commercial performance 
• Excellent people‑management skills, motivating teams to deliver exceptional service 
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusive leadership 
• You will hold a full UK driving licence and a NEBOSH General Certificate (or working towards / equivalent). You will have local government experience in a managerial role in an operational service

Benefits we offer 

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks. 
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum. 
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events. 
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more. 
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process. 
• A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life. 
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits. 

End Date: 19th of March 2026