Centre Manager

Oxford Innovation Space; Abingdon; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary up to £42,000–£45,000 pro-rata

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Flexible benefits

Wellbeing days

Induction & development

Job summary

Oxford Innovation Space at Culham Innovation Centre is seeking a Centre Manager to lead the centre’s operations, drive commercial performance and deliver outstanding service to our community of occupiers.

You’ll bring proven leadership in a customer‑focused environment, a commercial mindset with sales and marketing experience, budget management and a track record of building networks across science and innovation sectors.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in a customer-focused or service-led environment.
• A commercial mindset with experience in sales, marketing, and budget management.
• Experience working with networks across science, technology, or innovation led sectors, particularly fusion energy, advanced engineering, robotics, AI, deep-tech and life sciences.
• A passion for creating great experiences and building community.

Responsibilities

• Act as a figurehead for the centre locally, regionally and nationally, creating success and enhancing its reputation for excellence.
• Oversee financial and commercial performance, deliver sales, marketing and operations to attract and retain occupiers.
• Cultivate partnerships between Oxford Innovation Space and Culham Campus and explore collaboration opportunities.
• Deliver world-class service to the centre community in facilities, support and staff development.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial mindset

Sales & marketing

Budget management

Networking across science & tech

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

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. We’re excited to announce a vacancy for a Centre Manager at Culham Innovation Centre tojoin our team and help deliver exceptional service to our centre community.

Located at the heart of CulhamCampus, Culham Innovation Centre provides flexible office, workshop and laboratory space within a thriving science and technology community. Home to innovative businesses in sectors including fusion energy, advanced engineering, robotics, AI, scientific instrumentation, deep-tech, life sciences and specialist technical consultancy, the centre offers a collaborative and supportive environment where ambitious organisations can connect, grow and innovate.

Find out more about Culham Innovation Centre here: Culham Innovation Centre | Office, Workshop & Lab Space in Oxfordshire

We're happy to consider part-time working arrangements for this role. If you would like to be considered on a part-time basis (minimum 22.5 hours per week), please indicate this in your application.

What You’ll Be Doing

As Centre Manager, you'll be the driving force behind Culham Innovation Centre, delivering exceptional service and ensuring the centre thrives commercially and operationally. You’ll:

• Act as a figurehead for the centre 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 Culham Campus, identifying and developing opportunities for collaboration and joint initiatives
• Deliver a world class service to the centre community in facilities, support and collaborative connections and the training and development of centre staff.

Want the full picture? Please see the attached job description for more details on what the role involves.

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.
• Proven experience working with, supporting, or developing networks across science, technology, or innovation led sectors, particularly fusion energy, advanced engineering, robotics, AI, deep-tech and life sciences.
• 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:

Up to £42,000 - £45,000 per annum, pro-rata for part-time hours, 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 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.