At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative projects and connect with local businesses to drive economic growth.
- Company: Join The Manchester College, the largest further education college in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 35 days annual leave, well-being days, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional development and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on your community while shaping the future of innovation.
- Qualifications: GCSEs in English and Maths, plus a degree or equivalent experience in relevant fields.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45091 £ per year.
Help Shape the Future of Innovation, Skills and Economic Growth Across Greater Manchester.
We are looking for an ambitious, commercially minded and highly collaborative Innovation Co-ordinators to lead place-based innovation activity across Manchester as part of the Greater Manchester Colleges Innovation Connector Network. Working closely with employers, local authorities, universities, innovation agencies and community partners, you will act as a key relationship-builder and trusted connector within your borough. This is a unique opportunity to help shape a more inclusive, innovative and future-ready economy across Greater Manchester. This is a fixed term (until 31st March 2027), full-time (35 hours per week) role.
About you
- We are looking for a proactive and relationship-focused individual who is passionate about innovation, business growth and making a difference within local communities.
- You will have experience of working with employers, building strong partnerships and identifying opportunities to support growth, productivity and skills development.
- Confident in engaging a wide range of stakeholders, you will be a natural connector, able to influence, facilitate conversations and translate ideas into practical action.
- You will be organised, self-motivated and comfortable working independently whilst contributing to a wider collaborative network across Greater Manchester.
The Greater Manchester Colleges Innovation Connector Network (ICN) is a collaborative initiative delivered by all nine General Further Education colleges across Greater Manchester, coordinated by GM Colleges. Funded by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), the Innovation Connector Network builds on the success of the GM Further Education Innovation Programme (GMFEIP) and continues to enhance business productivity by fostering the adoption and diffusion of innovation within local enterprises. Through a borough-based Innovation Hub in each College, Innovation Connectors act as trusted, local intermediaries supporting businesses to improve productivity through adoption of innovations such as Artificial Intelligence and process improvements. The programme contributes directly to the Greater Manchester Strategy 2025–2035, the GM Growth Plan and the Local Skills Improvement Plan, supporting inclusive growth and strengthening innovation capability across all ten boroughs.
To be successful in this role you will need a full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Site Information
Our City Centre campus is a flagship site in the heart of Manchester, offering cutting-edge facilities and a buzzing, creative atmosphere. Home to our Centre of Excellence for Creative and Digital Industries, it provides an inspiring setting for both staff and learners, with specialist studios, workshops, and collaborative spaces. With its central location and strong industry links, the campus is a hub for innovation, talent development, and real-world learning.
Who are TMC?
The Manchester College is the Largest Further Education College in the United Kingdom and has the largest provisions for 16-19yrs olds, adults, and higher education in Greater Manchester. We are part of the LTE group that consist of MOL, Total People, UCEN Manchester, Novus, and LTE Group Operations. We currently support more than 25% of Greater Manchester’s learning provision and are currently rated “Good” by Ofsted. The Manchester Colleges offering is bolstered by 18 Centres of Excellence across our campuses, ensuring we give our best and strive to achieve an unrivalled learning experience for our students. We have partnerships with over 1000 industry and employer partners nationally to ensure our students secure their place as the leaders of the future. Proudly, The Manchester College is also 1 of only 57 organisations nationally recognised with the Princess Royal Training Award 2025, demonstrating our commitment to investing in our people and their development.
Benefits
- 35 days paid annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (FTE).
- 3 well-being days per year (FTE).
- Significant pension contribution.
- Retail discounts.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Cycle to work scheme.
Role Responsibilities
Please see the attached role profile for an overview of general role responsibilities.
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
To be successful in this role, you will need:
- Minimum of 5 GCSE (Grades A-C/4>) incl. English and Maths.
- Degree-level qualification, or equivalent experience, in business, innovation, economic development, skills, enterprise or a related field.
- Able to evidence of continuing professional development relevant to business engagement, innovation, skills, economic development or partnership working.
- Working directly with businesses to support growth, organisational change, innovation, workforce development, and productivity improvement initiatives.
- Identifying organisational needs, diagnose operational or skills-related challenges, and translate findings into effective action plans and solutions.
- Ability to work confidently across business support, skills, education, and partnership environments, building collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Using performance dashboards, MIS systems, and data analysis tools to monitor programme delivery, track outcomes, and support continuous improvement.
- Producing accurate reports, analysing performance data, and presenting insights and outcomes clearly to a range of audiences, including senior leaders and external partners.
Safeguarding
The LTE Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants will be required to undergo an appropriate DBS check via the Criminal Records Bureau and may be subject to additional online checks as part of our pre-screening process. Some roles are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and would require an Enhanced DBS check.
Equal Opportunities Statement
At The Manchester College, we’re committed to providing an environment free from discrimination, bullying, harassment, or victimisation, where all members of our community are treated with respect and dignity. The Manchester College is committed to working in an inclusive way with all the communities where we are geographically located and to developing a workforce and student community that reflects Greater Manchester’s and the UK’s rich diversity and vibrancy.
The closing date for this job advert is 20/08/2026. However, sometimes the job advert may close early if we receive a good response!
Innovation Connector in Manchester employer: The Manchester College
The Manchester College is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With generous benefits such as 45 days of annual leave and dedicated well-being days, teachers are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally in the vibrant city of Manchester, making it an ideal place for those passionate about shaping the future of students in the digital sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Connector in Manchester
✨Leverage Innovation Hubs
Tap into local innovation hubs and research centres. These places often host events and workshops where you can meet like-minded people and industry leaders. Plus, they might have job openings that aren't widely advertised, so keep your ears open!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Turn your past innovation projects into compelling stories. Create a portfolio showcasing your creativity and problem-solving skills. This can give hiring managers a real flavour of what you can bring to the table at companies like The Manchester College.
✨Connect at Industry Conferences
Make it a point to attend industry conferences and seminars focused on R&D and innovation management. These events are fantastic for networking and often have job boards or career fairs where you can connect directly with firms looking for talent.
✨Use Your University’s Resources
If you're fresh out of university, don't forget to tap into your institution's career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies seeking new talent in R&D, especially for full-time roles. It's a good shortcut to landing a gig at places like The Manchester College.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Connector in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Creative Thinking:In innovation and R&D management, it's all about thinking outside the box. Make sure your CV highlights any projects or experiences that showcase your creative problem-solving skills. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've developed and implemented innovative ideas in previous roles.
Tailor Your Experience to R&D:When you're crafting your CV, focus on your experience in research and development. Highlight any relevant projects you've worked on, including methodologies used and results achieved. This will show us at The Manchester College that you understand the R&D process and can contribute meaningfully to our projects.
Let Your Passion Shine in the Cover Letter:For a full-time role like this, your cover letter should reflect your genuine passion for innovation and development. Share your excitement about the opportunity to work at The Manchester College and touch on how your goals align with our mission. This helps us see your motivation for wanting to join our team!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in R&D! Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in your CV. Whether it’s a percentage improvement in project outcomes, the budget size you’ve managed, or the number of successful products you've launched, these figures will help paint a clearer picture of your impact and capabilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Manchester College
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at The Manchester College, they're going to want to see how you approach problem-solving. Be ready to discuss previous projects where you introduced a new idea or process. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and provide examples where your innovations drove significant results.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Technologies
Make sure you're clued up on the latest tools and technologies related to innovation management, such as project management software and data analysis platforms. Being able to discuss specific tools you’ve used or have experience with will show The Manchester College that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, emphasising your teamwork skills will be essential. In innovation, collaboration often sparks the best ideas, so be ready to talk about how you've worked effectively within cross-functional teams in your past roles. Have concrete examples at the ready!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions in your interview that reflect real challenges you might face in the role. £At The Manchester College, they might want to see how you handle tight deadlines or manage conflicting ideas within a team. Prepare some responses that demonstrate your critical thinking and decisiveness in high-pressure situations.
