Innovation Connector

LTE Group; Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 days annual leave + bank holidays

Local Government Pension Scheme

Retail discounts

Employee Assistance Program

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

The Manchester College, part of LTE Group, is seeking an Innovation Connector to lead place-based activity in Manchester. You will collaborate with employers, authorities, universities and partners to drive growth, skills development and innovative practices across the region.

This fixed-term, full-time role (35 hours per week) requires regional leadership, strong relationship-building and the ability to translate ideas into practical actions, with a focus on inclusivity and economic growth.

Qualifications

• Experience working with employers, building partnerships and identifying growth opportunities.
• Ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and translate ideas into actionable plans.
• Organised, self-motivated and able to work independently within a networked context.
• Experience working across business support, skills, education and partnerships.
• Ability to use dashboards and data analysis to monitor delivery and improve outcomes.
• Proven ability to prepare reports and present insights to senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead place-based innovation activity across Manchester as part of the ICN.
• Build and sustain relationships with employers, local authorities, universities and partners.
• Act as a trusted connector within your borough to support growth and skills.
• Support productivity and innovation adoption across local enterprises.
• Utilise dashboards to monitor programme delivery and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Relationship building

Stakeholder engagement

Business development

Data analysis

Project coordination

Communication

Education

GCSEs English & Maths

Degree in business/innovation/economic development

Tools

MIS systems

Job description

Job title Innovation Connector Job reference REQ012633 Date posted 17/07/2026 Application closing date 20/08/2026 Location Manchester Salary £45,000 - £50,000 per annum Package Competitive Benefits plus Local Government Pension Scheme Contractual hours 35 Basis Full time Job category/type Business Development Attachments Innovation Connector.pdf Job description

Job details

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.
• Identifyingorganisational 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!