Data Operations Manager

At Manchester United, we believe that excellence on the pitch starts with excellence off the pitch. Our team thrives in a high-performance environment, united by a shared passion for success. We aim to elevate the standard of performance through collaboration and continuous growth, creating a space where everyone can contribute their best to our common goals. 
  
We work together at our iconic Manchester United offices, enabling connection and innovation as we look ahead to what we can achieve as a global football club. We are excited to bring in passionate people who share our vision and drive for success. 

The Role: 
Manchester United is on an ambitious journey to become a fully data-driven club, leveraging insights to support decision-making, enhance performance, and drive success on and off the pitch. To achieve this, we are building a world-class data and technology function with modern infrastructure, talented teams, and trusted data products.

We are seeking a Data Operations Manager to play a critical role in this transformation. This role is a blend of project management and vendor management, ensuring that our data projects are delivered efficiently, while maintaining strong partnerships with external suppliers. You will be central to keeping projects on track, enabling alignment across the club, and ensuring that our data vendors deliver value and meet our evolving needs.

Key Responsibilities:
As a Data Operations Manager, you will:

Project & Delivery Management

• Coordinate planning and delivery across the Data group, including data engineering, software, science, and analysis.
• Ensure projects are well-scoped, aligned to football priorities, and delivered in a structured and transparent manner.
• Act as the central delivery lead for the group: track dependencies, resolve blockers, and ensure execution against timelines.
• Introduce lightweight processes, documentation, and delivery tooling to improve clarity, accountability, and continuous improvement.

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Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Manage relationships with third-party data and software providers, ensuring responsive support, alignment with roadmaps, and fit-for-purpose contracts.
• Drive alignment of the club’s data vendor landscape across Men’s, Women’s, and Academy football, extending coordination to other departments where appropriate.
• Work closely with Procurement, Finance, Legal, and IT teams to represent the group’s technical and commercial requirements.
• Oversee cloud infrastructure usage, particularly Microsoft Azure, optimising operational efficiency and cost.
• Manage budgets and commercial planning, track spend, support contract negotiations, and identify opportunities for cost optimisation.

The Person: 
We are looking for someone who brings:

• Proven experience delivering complex technical projects across multi-disciplinary teams, ideally within data or software environments.
• Strong operational and organisational skills, ensuring projects are delivered on time and to value, even when priorities shift.
• Excellent stakeholder management, confident in navigating technical, legal, procurement, and vendor environments.
• Hands-on experience managing third-party technology providers (cloud, data, or SaaS vendors).
• Understanding of cloud computing principles, particularly Microsoft Azure, with a focus on operational and financial efficiency.
• Comfort managing budgets, contracts, and commercial planning.

Desirable (but not essential)

• Background in data engineering, software engineering, or technical programme management.
• Experience in high-performance sport or similarly fast-paced, outcome-driven environments.
• Familiarity with modern data stacks (Databricks, Azure Data Factory, container orchestration, etc.).

 What We Offer: 
At Manchester United, we recognise that our people are at the heart of our success. That’s why we offer a range of rewards designed to support your professional and personal well-being:

• Annual incentive scheme
• Wellness Support with access to mental health resources, digital health checks, and & nutritionists through Aviva Digicare+ Workplace
• Exclusive Discounts through our United Rewards platform, giving you access to exclusive deals from the club and partners
• Gym Facilities in our onsite locations and opportunities for regular social events and team-building activities
• Enhanced family Leave Benefits and an opportunity to purchase additional holiday days
• Enhanced Career Development with access to professional learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning, and internal training programs
• A Supportive Work Environment that values diversity, equity and inclusion, and individual growth

Our Commitment to You: 
At Manchester United, we believe that a diverse and inclusive environment makes us stronger. We are committed to building a team where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the core of our recruitment strategy, and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds. 
  
Ready to Join Us? 
If this sounds like the perfect role for you, please submit your application by Sunday 30th November**.**
  
Manchester United is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, and as part of this commitment, all candidates will undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check and reference checks. 
 
If you need any adjustments to help you perform at your best during the recruitment process, please feel free to contact us, and we will be happy to discuss them with you. 
 
It is unlawful to employ a person in a UK-based job who does not have permission to live and work in the UK. You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to you before applying for any of our roles.