Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Stadium

This role will lead the development and delivery of the programme's stakeholder engagement and communications strategy. The role will build trust, understanding and alignment amongst a diverse range of stakeholders including supporters, local communities, public sector partners, businesses, media, political leaders and wider football audiences.

The role will be aligned to the wider Club strategy and help shape the programme by ensuring stakeholder insight, political context and fan / public sentiment are embedded into the decision-making throughout the programme lifecycle whilst considering ongoing Club relationships.

Working as part of the New Stadium leadership team, the incumbent will ensure the programme is clearly understood and informed by stakeholder perspectives, while communicating the benefits it could deliver for Manchester United, Trafford, Greater Manchester and future generations of supporters.

Reporting to the Programme CEO, the role will act as the programme's lead for stakeholder strategy, communications, public affairs, fan and community relations, media engagement and reputation management.

• Develop and lead the overall stakeholder strategy for the new stadium programme.
• Build trusted relationships with key stakeholder groups, including supporters, fan representatives, local residents, businesses, political stakeholders, community organisations and public sector partners.
• Create and maintain stakeholder mapping, engagement plans, and relationship-building programmes.
• Act as a senior interface between the programme and key external stakeholders, helping to build alignment and resolve issues proactively.
• Ensure stakeholder considerations are embedded into programme decision-making and governance processes.

• Work alongside the Club communications team to develop and oversee fan engagement and consultation strategies for the new stadium throughout the lifecycle of the programme.
• Ensure fans have meaningful opportunities to understand, influence and provide feedback on key elements of the project.
• Lead community engagement initiatives and ensure local communities remain informed and involved.
• Monitor stakeholder sentiment and identify emerging opportunities and risks.

• Lead on development of programme communications activity across internal and external audiences.
• Develop clear, compelling and consistent messaging that support programme objectives.
• Oversee media relations, press activity, briefing materials, public announcements and major project milestones, alongside and cognisant of ongoing Club activities.
• Promote accurate, timely and transparent communications while helping manage stakeholder, communications and reputational risks affecting the programme.
• Lead crisis communications planning and response strategies regarding new stadium.

• Work closely with Trafford Council, GMCA, the Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation, Government stakeholders and other strategic partners.
• Develop public affairs and advocacy strategies to support programme objectives.
• Coordinate engagement across multiple stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging and alignment.
• Support the Programme CEO and senior leadership team in high-profile stakeholder engagements.

• Shape and champion the long-term story of the new stadium programme.
• Develop public-facing narratives that communicate the project's sporting, economic, social and community benefits.
• Ensure key themes such as heritage, legacy, inclusion, accessibility and local impact are reflected throughout programme communications.
• Support the positioning of the…