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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a vibrant workspace, manage operations, and enhance community engagement.
- Company: Join Oxford Innovation, a leader in creating 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 foster a thriving business community.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in customer-focused environments and strong commercial acumen.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diverse backgrounds and ideas.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 45000 £ 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.
We’re now looking for a proactive, commercially minded Centre Manager to lead our vibrant workspace and community.
What You’ll Be Doing
- 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.
- 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 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 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: £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.
We’re committed to 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 employer: Oxford Innovation
Contact Detail:
Oxford Innovation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Centre Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, workshops, or local meetups related to innovation and entrepreneurship. This is your chance to connect with potential employers and showcase your passion for creating vibrant workspaces.
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive in reaching out! Don’t just wait for job postings; contact companies directly. Express your interest in the Centre Manager role at Oxford Innovation and highlight how your skills can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Understand what makes Oxford Innovation unique and be ready to discuss how you can enhance their community and workspace experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Oxford Innovation team. Don’t miss out!
We think you need these skills to ace Centre Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how excited you are about creating welcoming environments and supporting entrepreneurs. Share specific examples of how you've done this in the past.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Centre Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant skills in sales, marketing, and budget management. We love seeing how your background aligns with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for our vibrant community. Be sure to mention your commercial mindset and how you’ve built relationships with diverse stakeholders in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you’re serious about joining our team at Oxford Innovation!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford Innovation
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Oxford Innovation's mission and values. Understand their role in supporting SMEs and how they operate within the Harwell Innovation Centre. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and align your answers with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Centre Manager, you'll need to exhibit strong leadership qualities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams or projects, particularly in customer-focused environments. Highlight your ability to create welcoming spaces and foster community.
✨Prepare for Commercial Discussions
Brush up on your sales and marketing strategies, as well as budget management skills. Be ready to discuss how you would enhance the financial performance of the centre and attract new customers while retaining existing ones. Use specific metrics or achievements to back up your claims.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would build relationships with diverse stakeholders, including clients and partners like Arc Group. Prepare to discuss your approach to collaboration and how you can create joint initiatives that benefit the innovation centre and its community.
