Job Description

About The Role
Strategic Lead Business Units
Grade SS1
Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week
Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Closing Date: 15th January 2026 11.59pm
Interviews: 9th February 2026 in person
Manchester City Council is seeking an experienced and dynamic Strategic Lead - Business Units, to drive the delivery and performance of high-profile, high-demand frontline services that are critical to the city's reputation and success.
This role provides strategic and operational leadership for a portfolio of diverse, commercially driven Business Units. As a senior leader, you will define and deliver strategies that enhance customer experience, drive growth, and ensure operational excellence across a broad range of service areas, including:
Bereavement Services (Cemeteries & Crematorium)

• Fleet Management & Taxi Compliance Testing

Pest Control
Wholesale & Retail Markets
You will work at a senior level across the Council and with partner organisations to develop innovative approaches, create commercial opportunities, and deliver long-term strategies aligned with the Our Manchester Strategy.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and manage multiple high-profile services with a combined gross budget of 11.4 million and income targets exceeding 13.1 million.
Ensure robust financial planning, monitoring, and delivery of income generation strategies to meet financial targets and support wider council priorities.
Drive commercial innovation, identify efficiencies, and implement invest-to-save initiatives that enhance revenue streams while maintaining compliance.
Manage and maintain a diverse asset portfolio, including:
105 hectares of cemetery infrastructure with heritage-listed buildings and crematoria
Large fleet of vehicles and plant equipment
35-acre New Smithfield Wholesale Market and retail markets across the city
Taxi compliance testing station
Balance asset investment needs with service delivery priorities, supporting low-carbon objectives and long-term sustainability.
Why This Role Matters
This is a critical leadership role ensuring Manchester's frontline services remain efficient, effective and community focused. Your work will directly influence the city's reputation and future success.
For an informal discussion, please contact Heather Coates via email at to arrange a convenient time.
About the Candidate
What we're looking for:
Commercial acumen to identify opportunities, manage supplier contracts, and deliver value-driven services aligned with industry trends and performance targets.
Exceptional communication skills to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including frontline teams, senior leaders, elected members, partners, clients, traders, and local communities.
Financial expertise to create budgets, develop business plans, drive efficiencies, and implement robust monitoring for cost control and savings.
Proven leadership experience in managing complex operations, overseeing diverse, high-volume services and infrastructure to achieve operational excellence and deliver strategic outcomes.
Ability to stay objective under pressure, manage competing priorities, and progress multiple initiatives while exercising sound judgment.
Experience in translating strategic objectives into actionable plans, ensuring quality, timely delivery, and budget compliance through effective prioritisation and organisation.
Cross-functional thinking, driving collaboration and innovative strategies to achieve shared organisational objectives and long-term goals.
In-depth understanding of national, regional, and local contexts shaping trading services within and beyond local authorities.
Proven commercial success, improving performance, generating business, and increasing revenue in large, multi-faceted organisations.
You will hold a degree (or equivalent qualification) and bring at least five years of experience in a strategic leadership role overseeing operational services within a comparable sector. You will have Local Government experience.
About Us
We're the local council for one of the UK's most vibrant and diverse cities.
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.
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

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.

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council
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

can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our . 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
• If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programme

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the Supporting Statement section of your application.
When You Join Us
We're a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• 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 .
What we will need from you if you're successful
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.
Pre-Employment Checks
If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you've applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

• Proof of Right to Work: You'll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.
• References: We'll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
• Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
• Proof of Manchester Residency: For some roles, you may need to demonstrate that you reside within the boundaries of Manchester City Council.
• Police Vetting: Some roles may require police vetting to ensure suitability for accessing sensitive law enforcement systems or information.
• Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance: BPSS clearance is primarily used for roles that involve access to government data, systems, or assets. It ensures that individuals meet basic security requirements and can be trusted with sensitive information
• Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we'll need evidence of your valid driving licence.

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.
. Use this service to estimate how much Income Tax and National Insurance you should pay for the current tax year.

Skills Required