Communities Coordinator

This results-oriented role is pivotal to strengthening the Centre’s long-term financial resilience while maintaining its strong community ethos and aligning with the vision and mission, ensuring robust financial and performance oversight.

The postholder will be required to develop an Income Generation Strategy for approval by the Board and will be responsible for all its commercial elements. You must be community and values-driven, outcome-focused, an inspiring and collaborative leader and manager, and motivated by the Consortium’s vision and mission, and those of its co-stewards OrganicLea CIC and Ubele CIC.

Co-Leadership and Management

Working on behalf of the Wolves Lane Consortium, informed fully by and reporting to co-stewards Ubele CIC, and sharing the leadership and management of the Centre with the Facilities & Operations Manager, together you will be relied upon for the Centre’s success in pursuing its strategic and annual plans.

The Facilities and Operations role is primarily to ensure the Centre is fit for all of its many different purposes; The Community Enterprise role is predominantly outward facing - to create, attract and secure new and increased income streams through more sales of its products, services and offer; to co-create with entrepreneurs new community-based enterprise models and for joint ventures. These two distinct and overlapping roles will work collaboratively creating synergies to optimize the Centre’s income generating potential, the revenue and investment it secures, and at the same time increase its reputation, reach, and value as a vibrant community asset and contributor to community wealth building.

Together the two senior roles will deliver a seamless, compliant, and inspiring Centre offer, will co-lead and motivate the Centre team through a people management approach that fosters a culture of ambition, collaboration, care and success. Individually and together you will be accountable to the Consortium Board for ensuring all regulatory and customer standards are applied and met consistently, pursuing its vision through the strategy for the Centre’s good health, sustainability, and continuous growth in accordance with the Consortium’s values and ways of working.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a Board approved 2-year enterprise and income generation strategy and action plan aligned with the Centre’s mission.
• Identify and secure new, and increase and expand existing, commercial and retail sales income for produce and plants grown at Wolves Lane Centre, Pasteur Gardens and other growing sites.
• Co-create and support new community-based enterprise models that can operate within and/or be part of Wolves Lane Consortium eco-system, focusing on increasing representation of those from Black and Racially minoritised communities.
• Support the Facilities & Operations manager in the development of financially viable business cases for the cafeteria and the retail offer that contribute to Centre surpluses.
• Grow and diversify earned income streams to improve financial sustainability.
• Monitor market trends and identify opportunities for innovation and growth.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with commerce, community organisations, funders and public sector bodies.
• Act as an ambassador for the Centre, representing it at networking events and stakeholder meetings.
• Develop collaborative programmes and initiatives that enhance community impact and income potential.
• Develop and implement a Board-approved Hires Policy, ensuring alignment with the Centre’s values.
• Maximise income from venue hire through proactive marketing and relationship management.
• Oversee the planning and delivery of events that generate revenue and increase footfall.
• Ensure effective use of the space-rental software, optimising functionality and user experience.

Customer Experience

• Jointly with the Centre’s Facilities & Operations manager set centre-wide customer and visitor service standards applicable to all areas, facilities and services.

Financial Management and Budget Oversight

• Jointly with the Centre’s Facilities & Operations manager develop annual budget in collaboration with and for the approval of the Wolves Lane Board.
• Monitor income and expenditure, producing regular financial reports and forecasts for the areas of responsibility.
• Ensure financial controls and reporting processes are robust and transparent.
• Oversee the development of funding applications and business cases to attract income.

Leadership & People Management

• Jointly with the Centre’s Facilities & Operations manager, provide leadership to the Centre, motivating and involving the Centre based team including its volunteers.
• Manage and coach direct reports in a participatory style that inspires and motivates for high-performance.
• Be accountable to the Wolves Lane Consortium Board on performance, risks and opportunities.
• Support the Consortium board in its strategic and action planning.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant internal policies and procedures; regulatory and legal requirements.

Other

• Any other duties commensurate with this role’s status and purpose as required by management.
• Strong sales, marketing and customer service skills, with a track record of meeting income targets.
• Experience of budget management and financial reporting.
• Entrepreneurial mindset balanced with a commitment to community values.
• Senior-level experience of people leadership, people management and decision-making.
• Commitment to the Consortium's vision and mission to reduce economic, environmental, food, land, racial and social injustices.
• Experience of promoting or managing venue hire or events, ideally in a multi-use or community setting.
• Experience of working with Black and racially minoritised communities, ideally widening opportunities for participation.