Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week (Working 5 days out of 7, including weekends)
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Additional Payments: Casual Car Allowance and 6.7% Flexibility Payment
Closing Date: 19 March 2026
Closing time: 11.59pm
Interview Method: Face to Face
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the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Requirements for Reference and Documentation: Two references are required where possible. Three years’ history is preferred. 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.
Role
Manchester City Council is seeking a Head of Wholesale & Retail Markets to lead and develop its diverse market portfolio, which includes one of the UK’s largest wholesale markets and vibrant retail markets serving local communities. The role includes strategic leadership and operational management to support over 500 businesses and create dynamic market environments.
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
Required Experience and Skills
* 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 must hold a full UK driving licence and a NEBOSH General Certificate (or working towards / equivalent). Experience in local government as a manager in an operational service is required.
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, recognise 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.
Our Commitment to Inclusion
At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.
Support During the Process
* Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
* Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text‑to‑speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.
Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:
* Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
* Current or former care leavers
* Have a disability or long‑term condition
Additional Support for Employees
* A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
* Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
* A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability‑friendly.
For more information about the role or any adjustments, email jobs@manchester.gov.uk.
Pre‑Employment Checks
Pre‑employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for; see the top of the advert for details.
These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.
Other Relevant Information
We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.
For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.
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.
Additional Information
In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.
Your First Day
Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.
Our Vision
Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the council and is brought to life through the “Our Manchester” behaviours.
* We take time to listen and understand
* We work together and trust each other
* We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
* We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
* We’re proud and passionate about Manchester
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