Programming Manager – The Street

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

We are looking for a forward-thinking and ambitious Programming Manager that is beyond ecstatic about club nights, EDM, live music, and loves Manchester!

This role is super exciting, you will take the lead in establishing Co-op Live’s second venue ‘The Street’ a 2,500 club night space that has potential to host after parties, club nights, day time events, gigs, corporate events and everything in between. Working alongside the programming team and identify dates and events to maximise credible and sort after events for The Street and smaller lounge spaces.

In addition to leading the programme for ‘The Street’ this role will also book the smaller clubs and lounge spaces that surround the arena, with a focus to support grass root artists, DJ’s, club nights, gigs, after-parties and house-bands. You will also support the busking programme on Manchester Way the new Walking path from Piccadilly to Etihad Campus

We are looking for someone who is ready to leap into action, has experience in programming events, who is creative and has a keen eye for events that are suitable for our new and exciting spaces.

Our Role

• Lead in programming ‘The Street’ a 2,500 club and gig venue at Co-op Live to establish a credible and sort after venue space
• Work collaboratively with Marketing to launch ‘The Street’
• Assist with the direction of a Marketing promotional plan to support both The Street and smaller lounge spaces to establish the venue
• Secure The Street’s Programme of events; Club Nights, DJ sets, gigs, afterparties to the main arena artists, daytime events, fringe events and support corporate and partner events
• In addition to The Street, you will oversee and programme the smaller lounge and club spaces that surround the arena with grass root artists / bands providing pre and post content to the main arena events
• Assist in programming artists for private events such as secret artists sessions
• Develop awesome relationships with promotors, agents and managers to establish an innovated and exciting calendar of events
• Be the lead and programme the Mayor of Greater Manchester – Artist of the Month, in the supporting spaces of Co-op Live
• Organise and host promoter tours of Co-op live
• Manage The Street and lounge/club diaries to identify event days / nights to maximise the use of the venues to support the programme
• Create and execute venue hiring contracts
• Work collaboratively with Co-op Live’s inhouse operations team to schedule and secure events
• Work collaboratively with Co-op Live’s inhouse marketing and ticketing teams to plan onsales and marketing promotional plans to maximise ticket sales.
• Participate in Event Booking Meetings to provide venue diary updates and event briefings to all relevant departments, Event Operations, F&B, Marketing and Ticketing departments
• Be knowledgeable on the venues technical specifications, event change over timings, capacities, configurations to support promoter / hiring conversations
• Be knowledge of other Manchester and UK smaller venue and event schedules to keep competitive, identify trends and suitable events
• Support with activity and analysis reports and create presentations where required

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

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
• Excellent communication skills
• Know your audience and continuously look for ways to promote Co-op Live as a destination of choice
• Ability to work under pressure with excellent attention to detail to maintain a high standard of service
• Presenting the venue spaces in person and virtually to promoters, agents, managers and event organisers

Desirable:

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

Salary: up to £42,000 plus bonus

Closing date for applications: 25 March 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.