Centre Manager - 9 month fixed term contract - Oxford Innovation Space : Job Details

Founded by the Oxford Trust in 1987, Oxford Innovation Space (OI), is the UK’s leading provider of innovation centres, supporting the growth of early business stages through flexible and affordable workspace – office, workshop or laboratory – and a network of Innovation Directors providing information and guidance. We are a growing business, constantly refining our approach to the services we offer our customers.

Located on the outskirts of Belfast City Centre, as part of our growing innovation ecosystem, Innovation Factory (IF) is a contemporary environment with a mix of both flexible and conventional office space and coworking and is specifically designed to meet the needs of the modern business and entrepreneurs. We provide a great space for our customers, who will be supported in their growth plans in a centrally located, flexible and inspirational environment.  This is an exciting opportunity to join us in a varied and involving role with lots of support available.

We are seeking a Centre Manager for a 9 month fixed term contract to cover maternity leave. The Centre Manager will report to the Commercial Director and will be supported by an Assistant Centre Manager, Customer Experience Assistants and Business Growth Manager.  The Centre Manager should expect to work directly and closely with the Centre Director and Commercial Area Manager and other members of the senior management team.

What will you do?

Financial

• Provide Financial Management Information to include monthly billing, revenue collection and financial reporting, demonstrating a good understanding of P & L reports and managing costs
• Compile financial targets across all revenue lines with close management of expenses against budget
• Responsible for invoicing customers and debt management
• Responsible for processing accounts payable
• Control cost lines in the business within budgetary guidelines. Make recommendations on OPEX (operational expenditure) cost savings.
• Assist Centre Director with annual budgets with recommendations on price increases, proposed local strategies and CAPEX (capital expenditure) requirements. 
• Recommend and implement potential areas where additional revenue can be generated. 
• Present lettings and additional services revenue plans as required

Team Development

• Team management, to include Assistant Centre Manager, Reception staff and temporary cover
• Manage recruitment and coaching of the Centre Management team in the required standards of performance and service levels to ensure that the centre achieves the minimum operational standards set by the Company

Sales and Marketing

• Promote available space in the centre on pre- agreed commercial terms
• To generate revenue from various products available in the centre
• Liaison with Oxford Innovation Space Marketing Team to assist in preparing marketing collateral suitable for the centre
• Identify, recommend and implement local marketing initiatives
• Identify additional revenue creating opportunities
• Maintain an awareness of Oxford Innovation Space’s range of services, projects and expertise and promote appropriately to partners and clients
• Develop a community of entrepreneurs within the centres
• Maintain an awareness and interest in the centre clients’ business performance and problems and signposting to help
• Support and guide Centre Team in creating social media content
• Sell office space and negotiate with customers regarding licence renewals

Operational

• Set, monitor and develop the standards of the building’s presentation, including cleanliness, health and safety and security, by implementing the agreed standard operating procedures and monitoring criteria with the centre team.
• Create tender documents and critically assess responses to maintain suppliers offering best value
• Develop a culture of quality service and customer care in all areas by encouraging open and honest feedback from the staff and tenants, through regular tenant surveys and regular staff coaching
• Promote and build the centre’s reputation for exceptional standards of customer care
• Ensure that an appropriate competent employee is always on duty and able to deal with emergency procedures
• Attend training courses and meetings as and when requested to do so, being responsible for own development
• Oversee Centre Team in hosting Community Events

Experience:

• Experience in the operational running of an asset of the size, character and quality of an Innovation/Business Centre
• Previous experience in an office environment preferred
• Clearly identifiable leadership skills in order to manage a team within a service environment, ensuring overall performance is maximised
• Evidence of excellent negotiation skills within previous roles

Personal Competencies:

• Attention to detail/completer finisher
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills
• Good communication skills, tactful and persuasive
• Highly self-motivated and proactive with a desire to contribute to the company more widely
• Client and customer services focussed
• Ability to work under pressure and multitask
• Motivate, lead and delegate tasks to team. 
• Team player and team leader

What’s in it for you?

• Salary of up to £38,850 per annum (pro rata)
• 25 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays (pro rata)
• Flexible benefits package
• Friendly, informal and flexible working environment - so you can make the most of your home and your work life

If you think you could be a great member of team and would like an exciting opportunity in return, then this is the role you have been looking for – click ‘apply’ today to become our new, temporary, Centre Manager.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so we would advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.