Business Incubation Continuous Improvement and Operations Manager

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Job Title: Business Incubation Continuous Improvement and Operations Manager

Salary: £54,043 per annum

Hours: Full time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)

Contract Type: Open Ended (Permanent)

Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.

About Us

The Business Incubation Team operate and manage a portfolio of accommodation, facilities, and support programmes to nurture start-up companies and de-risk the early life of the technology-based business. Based over three campuses, Sci-Tech Daresbury, Harwell and The Royal Observatory Edinburgh, our business incubation offering consists of access to serviced laboratory accommodation, access to technical facilities and expertise and competitive business incubation programmes such as the ESA BIC UK and the recently launched Digital and Quantum BICs (Business Incubation Centres). Our ambition is to maximise the potential of our national science campuses to deliver robust economic impact nationally through science and innovation.

Our Benefits

UK Research and Innovation recognises and values employees as individuals and aim to provide a pay and rewards package that motivates staff to perform to the best of their ability. The reward package includes a flexible working scheme, Defined benefit pension scheme (employer contribution - currently up to 26%), 30 days annual leave allowance plus 10.5 bank holiday/privilege days and several other benefits.

The Role

• We are currently recruiting to the role of Business Incubation Continuous Improvement and Operations Manager, a key position in the Business Incubation team, reporting directly to the Head of Business Incubation.
• As Continuous Improvement and Operations Manager, you will be responsible for the overall operation of business incubation at the Daresbury Campus and for the contractual and financial operation of business incubation activities at the Harwell and Edinburgh campuses.
• You will implement processes and procedures that ensure business incubation activities run efficiently and effectively.
• You will be responsible for reviewing and updating processes as conditions require and to keep pace with productivity tools.
• You will be responsible for the incubation support team which includes administrators and technicians. You will oversee operations, budgets and contractual arrangements for tenant laboratories, access to facilities and business support programmes.
• You will join, and of course be supported in your role, by an experienced business incubation team and you will develop relationships with key regional stakeholders in the organization and on campus.

Key responsibilities

• Overseeing the safe and effective operation of our incubation laboratories at Daresbury (ITAC), including management of a team of technicians to ensure service delivery to our tenants.
• Oversight of the contractual and financial services of business incubation activities at all sites, including the Harwell and Edinburgh campuses. You will manage a small team of administers across two sites (Daresbury & Harwell) to ensure financial and contractual oversight and compliance.
• Lead on ensuring our processes and procedures are efficient, effective and compliant and are updated as appropriate.
• Strategic development and Continuous Improvement of operations to improve efficiency and outcomes.
• Preparing financial predictions and overseeing budgets.

• This role requires the ability to travel in the UK and potentially abroad.

Person Specification

(Please note the below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting or Interview stage as indicated)

• Educated to Degree level or experience of working with technology-based businesses, especially SMEs and early-stage businesses (S)
• Experience of Continuous Improvement and Driving Operational Excellence at a senior level (S&I)
• Excellent critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, with practical knowledge of budgeting and finance (S&I)
• Experience of statistical analysis, lease agreements, procurement and service contracts, and data processing (S&I)
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and presentation skills; with the ability to present value propositions to customers, stakeholders or investors (I)
• Good organisational skills including time management and prioritising; with the ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines (I)
• Self-starter who is strategically minded, pro-active and with a determination to succeed (S&I)

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role, we have the freedom to explore, learn and connect, as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another.

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, this is a place where there’s always something new to learn - about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself. Join us and discover what’s possible.