At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage the Salford Innovation Forum, ensuring exceptional service and community engagement.
- Company: Join Oxford Innovation Space, a leader in creating inspiring workspaces for ambitious businesses.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, flexible benefits, and wellbeing resources.
- Other info: Supportive culture that values your ideas and offers growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and innovators.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience and a passion for innovation and community building.
The predicted salary is between 38000 - 40000 £ 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 occupiers across multiple sectors. Our centres are more than just buildings - they’re buzzing communities of entrepreneurs, creators, and changemakers.
An exciting temporary opportunity has arisen for a temporary Centre Manager at Salford Innovation Forum to cover a period of maternity leave and play a key role in the day‑to‑day running of one of our flagship innovation centres. Salford Innovation Forum is located in the heart of Salford’s rapidly growing regeneration area, an exciting and fast‑developing hub for modern businesses, offering purpose‑built office space for teams of all sizes. This is a fixed-term contract for 6 months, with the possibility of being extended.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Act as a figurehead for the Innovation Forum locally, regionally and nationally, creating success, selling and marketing the product offering whilst enhancing its reputation for excellence.
- Overall management control and accountability for the financial and commercial performance of the centre, and to deliver all aspects of sales, marketing, and operational activities for the centre to attract new customers and ensuring the retention of existing occupiers.
- Cultivate the working partnership between OI Space and our clients to identify and develop areas of collaboration and joint initiatives.
- Deliver a world class service to the Innovation Forum community in facilities, support and collaborative connections and the training and development of centre staff.
What You’ll 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.
Why You’ll Love Working Here:
- Salary: £38,000-£40,000 per annum, depending on experience, plus flexible benefits package.
- Time off: 25 days’ holiday + bank holidays.
- Flexible benefits: Options to swap salary for extra benefits, including additional holiday.
- Wellbeing: Wellbeing days and health resources.
- 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 difference in the lives of entrepreneurs and growing businesses.
We’re Committed to Inclusion. We’re building a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply - you might be just the person we’re looking for.
Centre Manager – Maternity Cover in Salford employer: Oxford Innovation Space
Oxford Innovation Space is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture where collaboration and community engagement are at the forefront. As a part-time Community Concierge at Heyford Park Innovation Centre, you will enjoy a supportive environment with opportunities for personal growth, alongside competitive benefits such as a generous holiday allowance and well-being support, making it a rewarding place to contribute to the success of local businesses.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Centre Manager – Maternity Cover in Salford
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like Oxford Innovation Space. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at Oxford Innovation Space.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at Oxford Innovation Space.
We think you need these skills to ace Centre Manager – Maternity Cover in Salford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Oxford Innovation Space and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford Innovation Space
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Oxford Innovation Space will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Oxford Innovation Space.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Oxford Innovation Space.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Oxford Innovation Space. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
