Opportunity: Head of Sports, Manchester Urban Festival
- 11 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The growth of urban sport and culture has been notable in recent years, the interplay of music, art, sport and culture in urban environments creates a rich tapestry of experiences that fosters community cohesion and celebrates diversity. Manchester believes that this seamless integration can serve to not only enhance the vibrancy of the city but also contribute to Manchester’s social and cultural resilience. As such, Manchester, has identified an opportunity to create a unique, inclusive Festival that celebrates urban sports, street culture, music and art in the city. The Festival is supported by UK Sport and will be delivered in partnership between Manchester City Council and UKEL.
Our festival plans:
An ambitious city-wide takeover
A showcase for Manchester’s urban spaces and venues
An event of international scale and reach
Truly Mancunian
A fusion between sport, culture, art and music
A platform for creativity and innovation
Event Dates: 13 to 15 August 2027
Head of Sports Role
The Head of Sports will lead the development and delivery of the sports programme for the Manchester Urban Festival. We’re looking for someone with strong sector knowledge, excellent sporting relationships and the ability to bring together National Governing Bodies, athletes, partners and delivery teams. This role will shape an ambitious urban sports programme and ensure its successful integration across the wider Festival, from initial planning through to delivery.
Job title: Head of Sports
Location: Home-based, with regular travel to Manchester and Loughborough
Salary: £52,800 (total fixed fee for contract)
Hours of work: 37 hours per week (flexible contract available)
Contractual status: 10-month Fixed Term Contract
Start date: October 2026
End date: August 2027
Closing date for applications: 18/09/2026
Please email hello@ukel.co.uk with any questions you may have, to request this job description in another format, and to submit you application.
When submitting your application please also complete our Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form.

