At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Salford Innovation Forum, ensuring exceptional service and commercial success.
- 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.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on entrepreneurs and be part of a vibrant community.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in customer-focused environments and a flair for building relationships.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
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 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 9 months, with the potential to be extended to 12 months.
What You’ll Be Doing
As Centre Manager, you’ll be the driving force behind Salford Innovation Forum - leading the team, delivering exceptional service, and ensuring the centre thrives commercially and operationally. You’ll:
- 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
We’re looking for someone who’s passionate about innovation, people, and making things happen. 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
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: £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.
Ready to Apply?
If this sounds like your kind of role, we’d love to hear from you. Click ‘Apply’ to join us as our new temporary Centre Manager. Got questions? Reach out - we’re happy to chat.
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.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we’ve received sufficient applications, so apply early to avoid disappointment.
Centre Manager, Salford Innovation Forum (9-Month Contract) employer: Oxford Innovation
Contact Detail:
Oxford Innovation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Centre Manager, Salford Innovation Forum (9-Month Contract)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even pop into local innovation centres. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Centre Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your personality! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, let your passion for innovation and community shine through. Be genuine and share your ideas on how you can contribute to the Salford Innovation Forum.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand what makes the Salford Innovation Forum tick and think about how your experience aligns with their mission. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets it.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our vibrant community at Oxford Innovation Space.
We think you need these skills to ace Centre Manager, Salford Innovation Forum (9-Month Contract)
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 you connect with our mission and how you can contribute to making Salford Innovation Forum a thriving hub.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your leadership experience and any relevant skills in sales, marketing, or budget management. We’re looking for someone who can drive the centre’s success, so align your past experiences with what we’re after.
Be Personable: Remember, we’re all about building relationships! Use your application to showcase your ability to connect with diverse stakeholders and create welcoming environments. A friendly tone can go a long way!
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 you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford Innovation
✨Know Your Centre
Before the interview, take some time to research Salford Innovation Forum and its role within Oxford Innovation Space. Familiarise yourself with their mission, values, and the services they offer. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you tailor your answers to align with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Centre Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project. Highlight how you fostered collaboration and created a positive environment, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Understand the Commercial Landscape
Brush up on your knowledge of sales, marketing, and budget management. Be ready to discuss how you've contributed to financial performance in previous roles. Think about strategies you've implemented to attract and retain customers, as this will be key in your discussions.
✨Engage with the Community Aspect
Since the role involves building relationships with diverse stakeholders, prepare to talk about your experience in community engagement. Share examples of how you've created welcoming environments and fostered connections among different groups, as this aligns perfectly with the ethos of the Innovation Forum.