Venues Lead - TdF Grand Depart 2027

British Cycling UK; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A sports event management organization in the UK seeks a Venues Lead for the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes. The role involves overseeing venue planning and operational delivery for both events. The ideal candidate will have significant experience managing teams and complex operations in major sporting environments. Responsibilities include liaising with stakeholders, ensuring venues meet ASO requirements, and developing operational plans. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and a hybrid working model.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Cycle to Work Scheme

Generous Holidays (25 days + bank holidays)

Holiday purchase scheme

Life Assurance

Pension

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading teams for major sporting events.
• Confident project manager overseeing complex operations.
• Strong communicator with stakeholder relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead venue function for Grand Départ GB 2027.
• Oversee venue planning with local delivery teams.
• Act as key contact for venue operations.

Skills

Team leadership

Project management

Communication

Venue management for major events

Organizational skills

Education

Relevant Health & Safety qualifications

Tools

Computer Aided Design (CAD)

Job description

Role Title: Venues Lead – Tour de France & Tour de France Femmes

Salary: £55,000 per annum

Contract: Full-time, fixed term until end of August 2027

Location: Manchester (hybrid) - hybrid working model, minimum 2-days per week in Manchester office or regional travel as required.

Start Date: Immediate

About British Cycling

In 2027 the UK will host the Grand Depart of both the Tour De France and the Tour De FranceFemmes, Avec Zwift. This will be the first time in history that both races have departed from the same country, outside of France. A landmark social impact programme will also be delivered across the UK, tackling inactivity, improving mental wellbeing, boosting economic growth and supporting communities to thrive.

A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) – Grand Depart GB 2027 – will maintain oversight of the delivery of the events and will manage public funding on behalf of DCMS, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and UK Sport.

The SPV is a Joint Venture between UKEL (a new sports events company) and British Cycling. British Cycling will deliver the operational and business function, social impact and volunteer programmes along with all consumer facing functions, on behalf of partners.

We are now recruiting for Venues Lead to join our growing Operations Team.

The Venues Lead will oversee all elements of venue planning for all stages of the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grand Departs 2027.

Whilst Local Authority Hosts (LA Hosts) are primarily responsible for the delivery of each of the ‘venues’ by which we mean stage Start / Finish locations and spaces, the successful candidate will oversee from a central project delivery perspective.

Sitting in the Operations Team, reporting to the Operations Director, the Venues Lead will lead a venue team to support and co-ordinate all partners to ensure the safe and successful delivery of the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grand Depart 2027 Start and Finish venues.

What we’re looking for?

You will have proven experience in leading a team and delivering and overseeing venue management for major sporting closed road and outdoor events.

Demonstrable experience of working in partnership with the Emergency Services, LA Hosts and multiple stakeholders in major outdoor sporting event venue environments.

You will be a confident leader and project manager, capable of overseeing complex operations, coordinating multiple workstreams, and driving high performance across teams and delivery partners.

You are a strong communicator who thrives on building relationships with colleagues and a range of stakeholders.

You will be highly organised, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

You take initiative, adapt quickly to change, and bring creativity and resilience to everything you do.

Relevant Health & Safety qualifications / experience and an ability to use Computer Aided Design (CAD) is desirable.

What will you be doing?

As Venues Lead, you will:

• Lead the Venue function within the project team, overseeing venue planning and operational delivery for all Grand Départ GB 2027 Start and Finish venues.
• To work across all aspects of venue planning with the local delivery teams and partners in each location to assure that each venue is delivered safely, securely, and to comply with the ASO’s logistical and sporting requirements.
• Act as the key contact for all venue related operations across both GrandDepart events, internally and externally, including with ASO colleagues.
• Develop, own and manage venue-based policies, procedures and , project plans, daily run sheets and other operational documents as required.
• Establish strong working relationships with senior representatives across all venue LA Hosts and key delivery stakeholders.
• Lead venue operational planning across the venue team and act as the central point of contact for LA Hosts.
• Support planning activities across the Operations Team and wider organisation as required.
• To work with the Police to secure relevant necessary resource for venue management.
• To advise, with others, on the procurement of key venue infrastructure and services.
• Creation and management of venue contingency plans working in conjunction with the relevant policing authorities, local authorities and suppliers across the three days of the event.
• To work in collaboration with the Highways and Transport and Route Teams to interlace venue and route management, spectator travel management and wider traffic impact planning.
• To work collaboratively with the project’s Senior Leadership Team, assuring the whole programme and supporting delivery partners in their preparations and delivery.

What are the perks?

• Competitive Salary
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Generous Holidays (25 days + bank holidays)
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Life Assurance
• Pension

How to apply

Send us your CV and a short cover letter outlining your interest in the role and why you feel you meet the criteria via the apply button below.

Applications close: Friday 9 January 2026