At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant workspace, ensuring exceptional service and commercial success.
- Company: Join Oxford Innovation Space, a leader in inspiring workspaces for ambitious businesses.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, flexible benefits, and wellbeing support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on entrepreneurs and be part of a supportive community.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in customer-focused environments and a flair for building relationships.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values your voice and offers growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At Oxford Innovation Space, we create and manage inspiring workspaces where ambitious businesses can thrive. With over 35 years of experience and a growing network of innovation centres across the UK and Ireland, we support more than 1,000 SMEs across 35+ locations. Harwell Innovation Centre is a vibrant hub for pioneering science and technology businesses, located at the heart of the world-renowned Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire. As part of one of Europe's leading science and innovation districts, the centre provides flexible workspace, expert business support, and access to a thriving community of entrepreneurs and researchers.
As Centre Manager, you will be the driving force behind Harwell Innovation Centre - leading the team, delivering exceptional service, and ensuring the centre thrives commercially and operationally. You will:
- Act as a figurehead for the Innovation Centre locally, regionally and nationally, creating success, selling and marketing the product offering whilst enhancing its reputation for excellence.
- Have overall management control and accountability for the financial and commercial performance of the centre, delivering all aspects of sales, marketing, and operational activities to attract new customers and ensure the retention of existing occupiers.
- Cultivate the working partnership between OI Space and our Client, Arc Group, along with other partners to identify and develop areas of collaboration and joint initiatives.
- Deliver a world-class service to the Innovation Centre community in facilities, support, collaborative connections, and the training and development of centre staff.
We are looking for someone who is passionate about innovation, people, and making things happen. You will bring:
- Proven leadership experience in a customer-focused or service-led environment.
- A commercial mindset with experience in sales, marketing, and budget management.
- Confidence in building relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- A flair for creating welcoming, professional environments - whether from coworking, hospitality, or similar sectors.
- A passion for creating great experiences and building community.
We offer more than just a job - we offer a place where you can grow, contribute, and be part of something meaningful. Here’s what you can expect:
- Salary: £42,000 to £45,000 per annum, depending on experience, plus discretionary bonus.
- Time off: 25 days' holiday + bank holidays.
- Benefits: Flexible benefits package, wellbeing support, and perks like EV leasing and cycle to work scheme.
- Development: Full induction, buddy system, and ongoing learning opportunities.
- Culture: A supportive, inclusive team that values your voice and ideas.
- Purpose: A chance to make a real impact in the lives of entrepreneurs and growing businesses.
If this sounds like your kind of role, we would love to hear from you. Click ‘Apply' to join us as our new Centre Manager. Got questions? Reach out - we are happy to chat.
We are committed to inclusion and are building a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities. If you are excited about this role but do not meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply - you might be just the person we are looking for. We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so apply early to avoid disappointment.
Centre Manager in Didcot employer: Oxford Innovation Space
Contact Detail:
Oxford Innovation Space Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Centre Manager in Didcot
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, meetups, and workshops related to innovation and entrepreneurship. This is your chance to connect with potential employers and showcase your passion for the sector.
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive in reaching out! Don’t just wait for job postings; contact companies directly. Express your interest in their workspaces and how you can contribute as a Centre Manager. We love seeing enthusiasm!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past. Highlight your customer-focused approach and how it aligns with creating a thriving community.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in the innovation space.
We think you need these skills to ace Centre Manager in Didcot
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for innovation and community shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at Oxford Innovation Space.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your leadership experience and customer-focused skills. We’re looking for someone who can drive success, so connect your past roles to the responsibilities of the Centre Manager position.
Be Authentic: Don’t be afraid to show your personality! We value authenticity, so let us know what makes you unique and how you can contribute to our vibrant community at Harwell Innovation Centre.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford Innovation Space
✨Know Your Space
Before the interview, get familiar with Harwell Innovation Centre and its role in the science and technology sectors. Understand the services offered and think about how you can enhance them. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of your leadership experience in customer-focused environments. Think about specific situations where you successfully led a team or improved service delivery. Be ready to discuss how you can inspire and manage a diverse team at the centre.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Brush up on your sales and marketing strategies. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed budgets and driven commercial success in previous roles. Highlight any innovative ideas you have for attracting new customers and retaining existing ones.
✨Build Relationships
Think about how you’ve built relationships with stakeholders in the past. Prepare to share your approach to collaboration and community building. This is crucial for the Centre Manager role, so be ready to explain how you would foster partnerships with Arc Group and other collaborators.