A major new entertainment attraction in Greater Manchester is recruiting a pint-sized CEO – that’s Chief Excitement Officer to you.
Oxygen Activeplay is set to open at MediaCity next month, filled with 24 trampolines, loads of inflatables, a giant air bag jump and an indoor aerial Sky Rider.
Ahead of its February launch, the state-of-the-art venue is on the hunt for someone to take on the ‘most fun job in Manchester’, testing out all the attractions inside and overseeing excitement levels.
The mini-CEO role will be offered to an outgoing and creative candidate who must be aged between six and 12 years old.
Once Oxygen Activeplay has found its Chief Excitement Officer, the work can begin…
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Listed responsibilities in the spoof job advert include auditing the bounce-ability of 24 epic trampolines, assessing the Sky Rider’s sky-high feeling, evaluating the energy of Oxygen’s signature Excite Tunnel, and inspecting the floating on-air style cushioning of the mega-airbag.
The successful CEO will also be testing out the ‘fun factor’ of the interactive Strike Arena, calculating the amount of balance needed to cross the high ropes course, and delivering an excitement briefing to Oxygen’s Hero Crew to prepare for the opening.
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They’ll also need to evaluate the tastiness of the cafe’s menu on site, including the slushies.
Essential experience for the role includes ‘a proven track record of playing games, trying new things, and most importantly knowing how to have fun’.
Oxygen MediaCity is recruiting a Chief Excitement Officer – and they must be an actual child. Credit: Supplied, Jamie McPhilimey
The CEO’s first official duty will be to visit Oxygen Activeplay before it officially opens its doors to review the facility alongside Oxygen’s other CEO, Stephen Wilson.
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Then they’ll be hitting the streets to quiz Mancs on how much they really know about ‘BIG-TIME fun’, before cutting the ribbon to the new attraction in MediaCity.
The successful Chief Excitement Officer will receive a salary in the form of an annual bounce pass worth over £600 for them and their family, plus the chance to host their next birthday party at the park.
And they’ll be given a full written reference for their CV, making them the only child in the UK to hold the coveted letters of ‘CEO’.
Stephen Wilson, Chief Executive Officer of Oxygen Activeplay, said: “I’m really looking forward to joining forces with another CEO and hearing their professional input on peak playing protocols to help maximise BIG-TIME Fun.”
Oxygen Activeplay is opening at MediaCity this year. Credit: Supplied
“With Oxygen at MediaCity being our newest park, we’re keen to amplify the excitement levels, so bringing in a professional was the logical step. If you think you’re the best at having fun and bringing the excitement, then we want to hear from you!”
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Peta Young, People Director at Oxygen Activeplay, said: “Recruiting for a role as important as the Chief Excitement Officer is a really big deal and we want to find the bubbliest and bounciest Mancunian to join our team, so we’d like to encourage as many people as possible to apply for the chance to be Oxygen at MediaCity’s CEO.”
To apply, the aspiring CEO should get their parent or guardian to help them send in a video explaining why they believe they’re the most qualified for the job, which can be submitted HERE.
The candidate must be available for official CEO duties on the 14 February evening or 15nFebruary morning, and Saturday 8 or Sunday 9 day time. They must also be available on the evening of Thursday 6 March to cut the ribbon at the VIP opening celebration.
Oxygen Activeplay is set to open its 10th Oxygen park at Quayside, MediaCity in Manchester in February 2025 – find out more HERE.
Be part of the biggest Great Manchester Run ever
Danny Jones
Runners and regular Mancs alike, start lacing up your trainers and sorting safety pins early, because the Great Manchester Run is back for 2026, and you can be part of it.
With sign-ups flying and bibs selling out fast, we really recommend getting a move on and booking your place now to make sure you’re part of what is, without fail, not just one of the most exciting dates on the local sporting calendar, but always a great day for the city in general.
Returning for its 23rd edition and fourth year being backed by principal sponsors, AJ Bell, we can assure it’ll be as well-attended as ever.
In fact, judging by the numbers already and the increasing crowds of spectators every year, this is looking on course to be the biggest Great Manchester Run to date.
The only question is, are you going to help make it the BEST yet by joining the thousands of others already finding the perfect spot to hang their shiny new medal?
Half-marathon, 10k, junior and mini races
As ever, the Great MCR Run isn’t just limited to one event: there are multiple distances, routes and age groups that can race the route in and around the city centre.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day
So, whether you’re a seasoned runner looking to get in a PB, looking to box off your first half, love a 10, or you’re a youngster looking to get in on the action and soak up some of that glory on the day, there really is fun for all ages.
In all seriousness, even watching the massive metropolitan event stood next to the roads with homemade signs promises plenty of atmosphere, but with fancy dress galore, various different activations in the middle of the city, there’s not a chance you’ll get bored.
Even in the years we’ve missed out on running it ourselves (it sold well in advance last year, for instance), the pure buzz we got from joining countless other Mancs cheering from the pavement is enough to keep us coming back time and time again.
All that being said, if you’re looking to sort the perfect Christmas present for a runner, or simply need more reason to give yourself the kick up the backside you’ve been waiting for and just put your name down, this is it.
Besides the full annual marathon in April, running events simply don’t get bigger in this region than this one, so don’t miss out.
Sign up for the 2026 Great Manchester Run right HERE.
Featured Images — Great Run Company/AJ Bell (supplied)
Kids & Family
New Year’s Eve fireworks and special Albert Square party confirmed for Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
Manchester City Council have confirmed that a special firework and lights display will be held right in the centre of town this New Year’s Eve.
Better still, the festivities will be continuing over on Albert Square, as the recently restored ancestral home of the Manchester Christmas Markets will be hosting a celebration of its own.
Yes, for the first time ever, we’re being given the choice of two different NYE events at two of the most stunning central points in the city – the other being the Central Library.
Hosted by former presenter at The Manc, Joe McGrath, as well as DJ Jimmy the Gent, there’ll be tunes and plenty of family-friendly fun from St Peter’s Square right up until the big countdown, when the stunning light display will go off and ring in the New Year.
Credit: Manchester City Council (supplied)
The all-ages, alcohol-free event kicks off at 10pm with entry into the square through security-controlled entry points around the square and bag searches in operation.
Of course, hot drinks and food will be available as the MCR Christmas Markets proper wrap up for 2025, and the fireworks and light displays themselves will be launching right off the top of the library roof.
It’s going to be fantastic.
As for over on the other side of the Town Hall, the Markets will still be in full swing, with bratwurst, beers and cheer aplenty, and so will the truly massive Ferris Wheel – the biggest mobile wheel in the country, in case you hadn’t heard.
That’s right: in case you hadn’t put two and together quite yet, if you’re lucky enough and you don’t mind heights, you might just get to watch the NYE 2025 fireworks going off all over Greater Manchester from the top of the wheel. How magical would that be?
Honestly, it’s been so great seeing Albert Square looking back to its stunning and buzzing best.
Councillor Pat Karney, Christmas and New Year spokesperson for Manchester City Council, said of the plans: “We all know how much Mancunians of all ages love to get together and party, which is why we’re thrilled this year to give them not one but two celebrations to take their pick of this New Year’s Eve.
“Whether you’re a Ferris Wheel fanatic with a head for heights, or a music-loving feet-on-the-ground firework fan, it promises to be a brilliant night out. So get yourselves ready to have some fun and dance the night away – wrap up warm, grab your family and your friends and come down and join us!”
Promising to work closely with local councillors and therefore businesses and residents in turn, they’re promising to keep any inconveniences and nuisances to a minimum; they want everyone to be able to enjoy the night as much as possible.
You can find out more information, including timings, accessibility, road closures and parking suspensions in the full Council statement right HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
24th January 2025 
