Assistant Centre Manager

This is a key role in enhancing the sales, community engagement, operational and ultimate financial performance of the centre.  Oxford Innovation Space operates a network of innovation centres that provide flexible workspace including offices and workshop facilities and business support services to companies throughout the UK.  Our clients are start-ups, high growth SMEs, investors and also public sector organisations that contract with us to deliver innovation centres and programmes to business. 

Salford Innovation Forum is a vibrant centre based on the outskirts of Salford, within the Salford Crescent area, close to the University of Salford, with strong transport links and onsite parking.  This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a growing area of innovation. The Assistant Centre Manager will report to the Centre Manager and will be supported by Customer Experience Assistant.  The Assistant Centre Manager should expect to work directly and closely with the Centre Manager and other members of the centre team including the Innovation Director.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Operational

• Assist with setting, monitoring and developing the standards of the building’s presentation, including cleanliness, health and safety and security. 
• With support from ‘Operations’ ensure compliance with statutory and mandatory obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act
• Maintain and deliver the Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) schedule in a timely manner
• Assist in Procurement and management of Contractors, Suppliers and Consumables
• Primary responsibility for implementing the agreed standard operating procedures and monitoring criteria with the centre team
• Maintain Centre Asset register & Contract Database
• Manage all maintenance of the centre and oversee the works through to completion
• Manage assets, stock and inventory and replenish consumables where required
• Assist in setting up, reporting and maintaining in-house IT systems
• Where applicable ensure that all information is dealt with in accordance with GDPR and Money Laundering Regulations
• Maintain records and documentation to comply with our Quality Management System ISO9001:2015 & ISO14001
• Contributing to developing a culture of quality service and customer care in all areas by encouraging open and honest feedback from the staff and tenants, assisting with regular tenant surveys and regular staff coaching
• Strong contribution to promoting and building the centre’s reputation for exceptional standards of customer care
• In the absence of the Centre Manager, ensure that an appropriate competent employee is always on duty and able to deal with emergency procedures

Financial

• Support the Centre Manager with financial management information to include invoicing customers and debt management
• Assist in budget planning and monitoring of expenditure and cost
• Assist in financial reporting and demonstrate an understanding of Profit and Loss
• Reconcile invoices and ensure compliance for audit

Team Development

• Assist with team management to include Reception staff and temporary cover
• Assist with recruiting and coaching the centre management team in the required standards of performance and service levels to ensure that the centre delivers a high level of customer service to customers of the centre.

Sales and Marketing

• To support the Centre Manager in promoting available space in the centre on pre-agreed commercial terms
• To assist in generating revenue from various products available in the centre
• Contribute to identifying 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
• Strong contribution to developing a community of entrepreneurs within the centres
• Maintain an awareness and interest in the centre clients’ business performance and problems and signposting to help
• Assist in preparation for conferencing, events, meetings and catering for the centre
• Assist in ensuring that the centre is fully exposed to the market to maximize revenue opportunities

Experience:

• Experience in the operational running and Health and Safety management of an asset of the size, character and quality of the relevant centre 
• Previous experience in a letting office environment preferred
• Clearly identifiable management skills in order to manage a team within a service environment, ensuring overall performance is maximised
• Evidence of negotiation skills within previous roles

Personal Competencies:

• Attention to detail/completer finisher
• Excellent administrative, communication and organisational skills
• Highly self-motivated and proactive with a desire to contribute to the company more widely
• Client and customer services focussed
• Ability to demonstrate a hands on attitude, involvement, and ownership
• Strong capacity to overcome obstacles in complex environments
• Ability to work under pressure and multitask
• Motivate, lead and delegate tasks to team. 

What’s in it for you?

• Salary of up to £30,000 per annum, depending on experience
• 25 days’ holiday plus Bank Holidays
• Flexible benefits package comprising:
  • Contributory pension
  • Ability to increase or decrease amount of annual leave
  • Ability to increase or decrease amount of life assurance cover
  • Private medical and dental insurance
  • Health screening
  • Bicycle purchase
  • Charitable Giving
• Friendly, informal and flexible working environment - so you can make the most of your home and your work life.

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.