provide business support service to a wider range of Gloucestershire businesses. As part of this .... Long service award
Cirencester Growth Hub Manager Briefing Pack – December 2017
Introduction At the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) we are going through a period of exciting and dynamic change. The University now has some 1,200 undergraduate students from over 45 different countries studying at our historic campus, set in 25 acres of magnificent grounds in the heart of the Cotswolds. A full University since 2013, the RAU is an acknowledged leader in education and applied research relevant to the land‐based industries notably agriculture; rural land management; property and the built environment; the food supply chain; agribusiness; countryside and environmental management and equine management and science. Our recently appointed Vice‐Chancellor, Professor Joanna Price, is leading a process of strategic repositioning for the RAU that involves many new and innovative projects.
The University The RAU offers undergraduate, masters and doctoral programmes with a focus on combining academic rigor with practical application across a range of academic disciplines. Courses are managed and taught by experienced staff and specialist consultants, many of whom are still engaged in professional practice. Students can choose from more than 30 different degrees, at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Well‐established undergraduate degrees include Rural Land Management, Real Estate, Agriculture, Food Production and Supply Management, Business and Enterprise, Environment, and International Equine and Agricultural Business Management. In some subjects, there is also the opportunity for students to progress from Foundation to BSc Honours degrees. At postgraduate level the RAU offers a range of taught MSc programmes. The University offers a stimulating learning environment designed to address the changing needs of the employment market by combining high academic standards with practically applied research, enhanced by strong industry links. As a result, the RAU produces leaders and innovators across the land‐ based industries.
The Opportunity Context
We are looking for an exceptional individual to work at the RAU to develop and run the Cirencester Growth Hub and to deliver the associated services for the benefit of businesses from every business sector. The Cirencester Growth Hub will open in May 2018. Growth Hubs are part of a national programme overseen by the government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The Gloucestershire Growth Hub Network is expanding to provide business support service to a wider range of Gloucestershire businesses. As part of this expansion funding has been secured to build and run a Growth Hub at the Royal Agricultural University. The Cirencester Growth Hub is a collaboration between the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester partners and GFirst Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The role will be extremely varied with responsibilities for; business development, effective operation of the modern, open‐plan space, large‐scale events that will attract media attention, to intensive one‐ on‐one business interactions. Growth Hubs exist to utilise relationships, experience and forward‐ thinking to help businesses grow as quickly as possible. By doing so, we hope to create more jobs and wealth in the county, and support economic growth as set out in the GFirst LEP Strategic Economic Plan. Growth Hub Network business services are engaging, challenging, inspiring and seek to help businesses develop their strategic plans. We aim to provide support and exceptional customer service that is people‐focused and to work with ambitious companies. The brand new and purpose‐built Cirencester Growth Hub will offer great technologies and a positive work‐together culture that supports the entrepreneurial mind‐set. We’re looking for a strategic thinker who is a great communicator and has a strong business background. Cirencester Growth Hub Manager The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate extensive experience and success in the delivery of complex projects which include many stakeholders and funded related targets. The Cirencester Growth Hub Manager will be responsible for all the Growth Hub related activity, including associated outputs linked to the core Growth Hub EU funded programme. They will manage delivery of activity at the Cirencester Growth Hub and be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the levels and quality of service provided. They will ensure the targeting of eligible businesses and that individuals meet project targets. They will work closely with all other partners in the Growth Hub Network to maximise the value to businesses through qualified inter project engagement.
The Role
Post Title: Reports To: Location: Term: Salary: Responsibility for:
Cirencester Growth Hub Manager Director of Business Development & Marketing Cirencester Permanent contract, 21 hours pw with some flexibility £32,548 ‐ £38,833 pa (pro rata for part time) All Growth Hub staff
Scope of role The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate extensive experience and success in the delivery of complex projects which include many stakeholders and funded related targets. The Cirencester Growth Hub Manager will be responsible for all the Growth Hub related activity, including associated outputs linked to the core Growth Hub EU funded programme. They will manage delivery of activity at the Cirencester Growth Hub and be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the levels and quality of service provided. They will ensure the targeting of eligible businesses and that individuals meet project targets. They will work closely with all other partners in the Growth Hub Network to maximise the value to businesses through qualified inter project engagement.
Key Accountabilities
Plan and implement the effective delivery of the Cirencester Growth Hub outputs and outcomes.
Manage the successful delivery of Cirencester Growth Hub projects and associated activities.
Develop a detailed project understanding and implement a business plan with key milestones and dependencies. Ensure effective operation of the Growth Hub building.
Co‐ordinate project activity with, Business Development and RAU Student Enterprise.
Engage with relevant University departments including; Estates, Finance & Planning, Human Resources and Marketing to manage and co‐ordinate all aspects of delivery.
Facilitate engagement and coordination of activity with all RAU colleagues to ensure effective collaborative working and use of skills and experience to support the Growth Hub Project.
Ensure project commitments are met and that activities follow the correct policy and procedures as required by the funding bodies.
Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Business Navigators, in accordance with the University’s policies and procedures and Growth Hub Network guidelines.
Maintain effective working partnerships with GFirst LEP and Cirencester Business Partners to assure the successful delivery of the Growth Hub targets.
Ensure compliance with Growth Hub Network operational procedures relating to Navigation services and Business Guide referrals.
Raise the profile of the Gloucestershire Growth Hub Network as the partner of choice in the development and delivery of services to support economic growth across Gloucestershire.
Manage assigned budgets in accordance with University financial procedures.
Provide the main point of contact for all Cirencester Growth Hub strategic related enquiries.
Skills and Experience Strong candidates will be able to demonstrate; business development and relationship building skills up‐to‐date knowledge of key business issues an ability to devise, drive and deliver a vision and to successfully take people with them on the journey innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit in dealing with situations experience of providing business support services a passion about helping businesses to grow and find solutions to the problems they face experience of working within an externally funded project or multi‐agency activity an ability to work in a matrix structure, achieving results without having direct accountability for all teams the skills to analyse complex situations and construct solutions the ability to work equally well as a team leader, team member or individual in addressing key challenges experience of managing sizeable projects, working to deadlines and keeping within budgets.
Leadership Behaviours Acts as a role model: • Collaborates with key stakeholders both within the University and with external bodies building strong relationships and creating a positive perception of RAU. In particular, the ability to engage academics and secure their engagement in commercial initiatives. • Is approachable, consistent honest and direct in dealing with others. Shapes the future: • Creates a vision and is able to bring others on board by creating a compelling story which excites and engages at all levels. • Is outward facing, constantly seeking best practice and applying it in a way which is appropriate for RAU. • Makes strategic choices, which are commercially sound and based on robust financial modelling. Develops great people: • Nurtures talent within the marketing, commercial services and business development teams and more broadly. • Spots talent and provides stretch and opportunities for people. • Develops teams to deliver higher performance. Inspires others: • Shows positivity and optimism. • Is a great communicator (both verbal and written), gaining respect and being credible with diverse stakeholder groups. • Connects with others and proactively builds relationships. • Actively listens and acts on feedback. Delivers results: • Drives accountability at all levels. • Successfully achieves against targets. • Makes effective decisions taking into account appropriate data and views of others. • Plans effectively and ensures self and others follow things through to completion.
Key Relationships
Businesses, Gfirst LEP and external partners/agencies Local community Local Business networks Colleagues RAU Staff (primarily Enterprise and Business Development staff) Students Alumni
Our Benefits We have over 200 dedicated employees, who are proud to work for us. Over the last year, we’ve continued to invest in our people. Whether our people are permanent, or join us for a few months, we genuinely take their reward, health, wellbeing and development seriously.
We believe in investing in development and happiness at work and have a good range of benefits for our people which include: General Working Benefits • • • • • • •
Magnificent historic offices and grounds in the Capital of the Cotswolds Free and guaranteed parking on campus Complimentary hot beverages throughout your working day Subsidised three‐course lunches for only £2.00 Complimentary shuttle bus from campus to Cirencester Town Centre during term time Free Library membership with access to 1,000s of print books and journals 35 hour working week
Reward and Recognition •
• •
A generous 25 days annual leave entitlement for non‐academic staff and 30 days for senior and academic staff (Grade 8 upwards) pro rata per annum in addition to 8 statutory bank holidays for all. A week’s holiday during the Christmas period is given at the Vice‐Chancellor’s discretion Learning and development opportunities including RAU Management Training Programme Long service award – at 25 years, we give you a cash sum
Financial Benefits • • • •
We offer a competitive salary to attract and retain great people. We reward performance enabling you to progress through your pay band If you become ill, you are entitled to our sickness pay benefit scheme after a qualifying period of six months Access to RAU Car Share scheme Childcare vouchers
Health and Family Benefits • •
• • • • • •
We’ll do everything we can to help you find a healthy work‐life balance. Our people can sometimes work flexible work patterns i.e. in job shares and part‐time Our Employee Assistance Programme ensures you have unlimited access to a 24‐hour free, confidential telephone helpline. The service gives you free advice on a wide variety of issues such as legal and financial information and counselling services Free membership to gym on campus Cycle to Work scheme Occupational Health Service Free annual flu vaccination Eye care vouchers for eye examinations and contribution toward VDU glasses Long term disability and life cover (provided as part of the Friends Life Y1 Pension Scheme below)
Pension Schemes • •
‘Friends Life Category X’ – All eligible RAU employees (except teachers) are automatically enrolled ‐ employees minimum contribution would be 1% and RAU would contribute 3% ‘Friends Life Category Y1’ ‐ RAU Group Pension Scheme’ (defined contribution) – employees are able to upgrade to this scheme before their 6 month probation – employees minimum contribution would be 4% and RAU would contribute 6.5% ‐ Life assurance is also an additional benefit (two times annual salary) plus income protection (permanent disability insurance)
Application Process:
Queries regarding the role can be addressed to
[email protected]. If you are interested in applying for this transformational role, please send:
An application form (you may attach your up‐to‐date CV if you wish) ‐ application forms are available on the University website www.rau.ac.uk A covering letter explaining your suitability you for the role Details for three professional referees Please forward to the Human Resources Team, Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6JS or via email to
[email protected].
Closing date for application forms is 17:00 on 19th January with interviews planned for w.c. 29th January 2018
