Venture Development Manager (EL1280)

University of Lincoln; Lincoln; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Lead enterprise facilities

Support entrepreneurs

Network with innovation community

Staff development benefits

Job summary

University of Lincoln seeks a commercially focused Venture Development Manager to oversee Sparkhouse and Think Tank, ensuring they are professionally managed, commercially sustainable, and provide a high-quality environment for businesses to develop and grow.

You will be responsible for facilities, occupancy, income generation, budgets, compliance and service standards, while leading business incubation and Student Enterprise within the Enterprise & Innovation team.

Qualifications

• Experience operationally managing facilities or business premises.
• Experience with business support, incubation and startups or growing SMEs.
• Strong commercial acumen with budgets, income and targets.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation of Sparkhouse and Think Tank to ensure professional, sustainable management.
• Oversee facilities, tenant management, occupancy, income generation, budgets and service standards.
• Develop staff, build relationships with businesses and partners, and improve performance and services.

Skills

Facility management

Commercial acumen

Budget management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Customer service

Job description

The University of Lincoln is seeking a commercially focused Venture Development Manager to oversee the University’s enterprise facilities and business incubation activity, including Sparkhouse and Think Tank, while providing management oversight of Student Enterprise. The role will have responsibility for operational delivery, commercial performance and service development.

About The Role

You will lead the day-to-day operation of Sparkhouse and Think Tank, ensuring the centres are professionally managed, commercially sustainable and provide a high-quality environment for businesses to develop and grow.

You will be responsible for facilities and tenant management, occupancy and income generation, budgets, compliance and service standards, alongside overseeing business incubation and Student Enterprise activity. Working within the Enterprise & Innovation team, you will lead and develop staff, build strong relationships with businesses and partners, and use commercial and operational insight to improve performance and services.

About You

We are looking for someone with experience of operationally managing facilities or business premises, combined with experience of business support, incubation and working with start-ups or growing SMEs.

You will have strong commercial acumen, with experience of managing budgets, generating income and delivering against targets. You will also be an effective leader and relationship builder, with strong organisational, influencing and customer service skills.

What We Offer

• Lead and develop enterprise facilities and incubation activity
• Support entrepreneurs, students, graduates and growing businesses
• Build strong networks across the business and innovation community
• Access a wide range of staff development opportunities and employee benefits

In support of our commitment to developing colleagues by providing opportunities for internal movement and promotion, applications for this opportunity will only be accepted from people who are currently employed by the University of Lincoln, our current students, and any currently engaged agency workers who have been with us for more than 12 weeks. We actively encourage applications from all colleagues across the University with the relevant skills and experience.

Closing Date: 28 Aug 2026

Department: Internal Only Vacancies

Salary: £38,784 per annum

Please note, this post is permanent and full-time at 37 hours per week.