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- Tasks: Lead the Thursday Gathering and design innovative community experiences.
- Company: Join Venture Café Manchester, a hub for global innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 25 days leave, hybrid work, and health perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in Manchester's innovation scene and connect with diverse communities.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and experience in event planning or community engagement required.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic startup-like environment with opportunities for creativity and growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Are you ready to be at the heart of Manchester's innovation scene? Venture Café Manchester is on the lookout for a passionate Program and Experience Design Manager to lead our flagship Thursday Gathering and other groundbreaking initiatives. Join us in creating a dynamic and inclusive community where innovators connect, collaborate, and drive change. If you're excited about making a real impact and fostering a vibrant ecosystem, you belong at Venture Café Manchester!
Venture Café Global Institute (VCGI) began in 2009 within the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) in Massachusetts, aiming to connect people, ideas, and resources globally. Today, it has grown into a worldwide movement, facilitating over 750,000 connections among innovators, creatives, and leaders across cities like Boston, Berlin, and Tokyo. VCGI's mission is to drive global change by building a community of communities focused on solving humankind’s biggest challenges.
Your day-to-day work will include:
- Curating and managing the Thursday Gathering event that attracts 200-500 people per week.
- Managing and growing a pipeline of community organizations and partners to offer high-quality content based on monthly themes.
- Designing thoughtful, high-quality experiences for attendees.
- Organizing regular and special events with members of the broader community.
- Launching programs that help build a more inclusive innovation economy.
- Working with the Venture Café Director to build the Venture Café Manchester brand.
- Advancing the mission of enhancing and growing Manchester’s innovation community.
- Researching and developing innovative formats for delivering content.
- Building an effective communications infrastructure for Venture Café Manchester.
- Managing all event logistics and tracking metrics.
- Identifying key individuals and community organizations to partner with.
- Balancing work in the team office with being visible and engaged within the local innovation community.
- Being an advocate and spokesperson for Manchester’s innovation and entrepreneurship communities.
- Collaborating with the ARIA team to ensure weekly events are mutually beneficial.
About you:
- You have been involved in innovation, the arts and/or entrepreneurship initiatives.
- You believe that innovation and entrepreneurship are instruments to improve the human condition.
- You are familiar with the Manchester community and its innovation community.
- You understand Manchester’s most pressing challenges and embrace them as opportunities for change.
You have:
- A bachelor’s degree in any field; advanced degrees add significant value.
- Experience with event envisioning, curation, planning, and implementation.
- Knowledge of Manchester’s innovation community, key influencers, networks and organizations.
- Excellent organizational, project, and task management skills.
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to communicate and collaborate across sectors.
- An appreciation for the role of design and aesthetics in creating better communication tools.
- Attention to detail.
- Familiarity with social media channels.
- Willingness for domestic and international travel as needed.
Our offer includes:
- Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.
- 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays.
- Supplemental medical and dental insurance.
- ÂŁ200 Monthly Commuter Allowance.
- Life insurance and Business Travel Insurance.
- Hybrid work model – three days per week in the office, with Thursdays required as a core in-office day.
We welcome all candidates regardless of race, color, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, Veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
Program and Experience Design Manager - Manchester, UK employer: CIC
Contact Detail:
CIC Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Program and Experience Design Manager - Manchester, UK
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the Manchester innovation community inside out. Attend local events, meet key players, and build relationships with organisations that align with Venture Café's mission. This will not only help you understand the landscape but also position you as a well-connected candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the types of events that engage the community effectively. Research successful formats used in other cities and think about how you can adapt them for Manchester. This knowledge will demonstrate your proactive approach and creativity during discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your understanding of inclusivity in innovation. Prepare examples of how you've previously fostered diverse participation in events or initiatives. This will highlight your commitment to building an inclusive community, which is a core value for Venture Café.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with Venture Café's social media channels. Start conversations, share relevant content, and connect with current team members. This will not only increase your visibility but also show your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation's mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Program and Experience Design Manager - Manchester, UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of the Program and Experience Design Manager position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences that align with the job description.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your passion for innovation and community engagement. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your ability to curate events and foster collaboration within communities.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your CV, emphasise skills that are particularly relevant to this role, such as event planning, community building, and communication. Make sure to include any experience you have with social media and technology, as these are important for the position.
Showcase Your Network: Mention any connections you have within the Manchester innovation community or similar networks. This can demonstrate your ability to build partnerships and engage with key players in the field, which is crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at CIC
✨Know the Community
Familiarise yourself with Manchester's innovation scene and its key players. Being able to discuss local initiatives and partnerships will show your genuine interest and understanding of the community.
✨Showcase Your Event Management Skills
Prepare examples of past events you've curated or managed. Highlight your ability to engage diverse audiences and create inclusive experiences, as this role heavily focuses on event curation.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Be ready to showcase your written and oral communication abilities. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, as public speaking is a key part of this role.
✨Embrace Flexibility and Creativity
This position requires adaptability in a startup-like environment. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated uncertainty in previous roles and how you can bring innovative ideas to the table.
