Scale Space- Partnerships Manager in London

Location: Scale Space - White City, London W12

Duration: 6 months

Start date: ASAP

Contract: 24 hours per week

Salary: £55,000 per annum (FTE), 0.6 pro rata for 24 hours per week

Reporting to: Head of Growth & Partnerships

PURPOSE OF THE POST

Scale Space is a joint venture between Imperial College London and Blenheim Chalcot, a leading digital venture builder, that owns and operates Scale Space White City (based at 58 Wood Lane). This role leads on the provision of critical services to support the 100+ member organisations based across I-HUB and Scale Space. It is a key part of Scale Space’s mission to help companies to scale and grow. The Scale Space value proposition tackles the five main challenges faced by scaling companies: Access to Talent, Access to Finance, Access to Markets, Leadership and Expertise, and Infrastructure. This role is responsible for supporting the proposition development and delivery.

The key focus area for this role is Access to Talent, linking members to relevant parts of Imperial which can help scaleup companies to recruit students, either for part time or temporary placements/internships, or for graduate roles.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Talent
  • Support companies across Scale Space and I-HUB to access Imperial’s student and graduate talent pipeline, recognising talent as a key growth need for early-stage and scaling businesses.
  • Share timely and relevant opportunities for companies to engage students and graduates, including projects, placements, internships, graduate roles and other opportunities aligned to the academic and hiring cycle.
  • Proactively identify and promote relevant Imperial-led student and graduate event engagement opportunities to companies, including careers fairs, recruitment events, student showcases, networking sessions and department-led initiatives.
  • Support companies to understand the different routes for engaging Imperial students and graduates, including employer engagement activities, project-based work, placements and hiring.
  • Capture company talent needs through ongoing engagement, using this insight to identify relevant opportunities, introductions and areas for further support.
  • Identify creative and targeted ways to connect companies with Imperial student and graduate talent, matching companies with relevant student groups, academic departments, project areas and Imperial-led opportunities where there is clear alignment with their sector, technology or growth needs.
  • Connect interested companies with relevant Imperial teams, including the Careers Service, academic departments and student-facing teams where appropriate.
  • Track introductions, follow-ups and outcomes to monitor engagement and evidence the impact of talent-related activity.
• Events
  • Organise events supporting company growth and scaling across Scale Space and I-HUB, including planning, preparation and on-the-day delivery, working with the Head of Growth and Partnerships and the Scale Space events team.
  • Identify relevant topics and speakers that add value to companies.
  • Engage relevant suppliers and service providers (e.g. legal, accounting and consultancy firms) to deliver practical sessions supporting company growth, including grant writing, intellectual property, R&D tax credits and go-to-market strategy.
  • Support Head of Growth and Partnerships and Innovation Ecosystem team with collaborating with Imperial teams, and external partners such as Nexus, on event design and delivery.
  • Identify and share with Scale Space and I-HUB companies relevant innovation ecosystem events delivered by Imperial and external organisations such as London Partners, MedCity and Innovate UK.
  • Assess and deliver opportunities to host external events at Scale Space and I-HUB where they align with company needs and provide clear value.
  • Act as a point of contact for internal and external enquiries relating to event partnerships.
• Partnerships
  • Support with external visits to Imperial’s White City Campus linked to the innovation ecosystem offer.
  • Work with Imperial teams, including the International Relations Office, Enterprise and Public Affairs, to plan and deliver visits and events that showcase the White City innovation ecosystem and facilitate connections between visitors and Scale Space and I-HUB companies.
  • Support engagement with external partners, including corporates, investors, industry bodies and government organisations, to explore collaboration opportunities, visits and strategic relationships, including organisations such as the Office for Investment, London Partners, MedCity and Innovate UK.
  • Support companies across I-HUB and Scale Space to connect with Imperial’s academic community and wider innovation ecosystem as opportunities arise.
• Specialist Facilities
  • Proactively identify and share opportunities for companies to access R&D, prototyping and clinical facilities across White City and other Imperial campuses in a timely manner, including through meetings and ongoing engagement.
  • Connect interested companies with relevant Imperial facility leads, departments and academic contacts.
  • Track all introductions, follow-ups and outcomes.
  • Support the organisation and delivery of events that showcase Imperial facilities and enable company access.
• Other Duties
  • Ensure data is accurate, up to date and complete across relevant systems.
  • Work in accordance with internal and external policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.
  • Respond professionally to enquiries from Imperial staff, students, visitors and external stakeholders, demonstrating respect for cultural and professional differences.
  • Participate in team meetings and contribute to effective communication and coordination.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality at all times.
  • Demonstrate tact, diplomacy and professionalism in all interactions.
  • Work flexibly, collaboratively and responsively to support the effective operation of the Innovation Ecosystem team.
  • Provide administrative and event support to the team as required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Requirements:

• Education
  • A good undergraduate level degree, or equivalent qualification (E)
• Experience
  • Experience of facilitating links and managing relationships between a university and companies (D)
  • Experience of creating, delivering and overseeing events (E)
  • Experience of working with technology, digital, life science, cleantech, and security companies (startups, scaleups, and corporates) (D)
  • Experience of managing relationships with a wide and diverse mix of internal and external stakeholders (E)
• Knowledge
  • A strong interest in, and detailed understanding of, the challenges facing scaleup companies (D)
  • A deep knowledge of, and interest in, higher education institutions, such as Imperial (D)
• Skills & Abilities
  • Ability to build, develop and maintain excellent working relationships, both internally and externally (E)
  • Self-directed, able to work with minimum supervision and manage multiple initiatives in parallel (E)
  • Enthusiasm for working and networking with a diverse range of people (E)
  • Ability to maintain composure and performance under pressure (E)
  • Able and willing to work flexible hours, with occasional requirement to work in evenings (E)

What's in it for you?

• FREE lunch every day – enjoy a variety of hot meals and fresh salad options
• 25 days paid holiday (pro rota), plus Bank Holidays
• Learning and development opportunities
• Access to a vibrant calendar of professional and social events
• Join a warm, welcoming community that’s all about innovation and collaboration

Blenheim Chalcot is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Diversity is one of our core values, thus making it core to our business. We strive to maximise the diversity of our workforce and welcome applications from everyone. We encourage diversity through perspective, background, identity, and thought whilst also fostering an environment where everyone can express themselves regardless of your race, religion, sex, gender, colour, national origin, disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. We are committed to continuing to nurture an inclusive environment and building a diverse workforce.

If you're a people person who thrives in a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment, and you love the idea of being part of something bigger — we’d love to hear from you. Join us at Scale Space and help shape the future of innovation.