Job info |
Job info details |
Job title |
Electronics and Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC) Sales Director - TEDC |
Strategic team/Directorate |
Electronics & Photonics Innovation Centre |
Service |
Economic Development |
Business unit |
TDA |
Responsible to (day to day issues) |
Head of Economy |
Accountable to (line manager) |
Head of Economy |
Salary grade |
L |
JE ref |
TDA117 |
1. Key purpose of job
- Successfully manage and operate the Electronics and Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC) ensuring delivery of its strategic and financial performance objectives.
- Develop and lead the sales and marketing campaign to drive new leads to ensure high occupancy rate.
- Establish the Centre’s financial and operational sustainability, by securing tenants, membership, and sponsorship, as well as grant and research funding.
- Lead the development of the growth of Torbay’s hi-tech cluster, growing the membership to include businesses across key hi tech sectors leading to increased employment and growth within those sectors.
- Successfully manage the development and operation of the Torbay Technology Park. Once established, to establish the Park’s financial and operational sustainability, by securing tenants.
2. Anticipated outcomes of post
- The successful delivery of the financial and strategic objectives of EPIC and the Torbay Technology Park, specifically ensuring that occupancy targets are met, sponsorship and partnership opportunities are developed and that the Centre is financially self-sustaining.
- To successfully manage the growth of hi tech businesses including tenants, local companies and inward investors establishing a campus/ecosystem through the successful development of the Torbay Technology Park.
- For Torbay and South Devon to be internationally recognised as one of the key locations for expertise in photonics and microelectronics by establishing the Centre’s role in the growth of the hi-tech sector within the local economy.
- To develop mutually beneficial relationships with key stakeholders across industry, academia, research institutes, sector bodies, industry organisations and other appropriate organisations.
3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post
- Provide management and direction for the successful operation of multi sited facilities including the Electronics and Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC) and the Torbay Technology Park, ensuring the efficient provision of facilities, resources and business accommodation to tenant companies within the Centre and the wider Technology Park.
- Development, implementation and regular review of sales and marketing plan to drive new leads to the Centre.
- The effective management of the EPIC workspace and meeting rooms to ensure that occupancy targets are met, and sufficient revenues are generated to meet operational costs.
- To support the development of the new Torbay Technology Park from inception through to build completion, aligning the development to the needs of likely tenants. Once completed, to manage the Technology Park securing tenants and maintaining financial and operation stability.
- To manage the selection criteria and screening of tenant companies, including developing a gateway and exit policy, to ensure the Centre effectively delivers upon its objectives and business case.
- Develop mutually beneficial relationships and engage with key stakeholders across industry, academia, research institutes, government, trade bodies, and other appropriate organisations and industry groups.
- Oversee services required for the efficient management of facilities, such as janitorial, security, landscape, reception, legal, tenancy arrangements etc.
- To ensure that tenant companies have access to appropriate support mechanisms through TDA or through other routes such as financial and other professional services, high growth coaching and mentoring, venture capital groups and others as identified.
- To ensure that EPIC, Torbay Technology Park and the local hi-tech sector are effectively promoted and marketed, in order to attract appropriate tenants including existing, start-up, pre-start and inward investment companies.
- To develop relationships with similar and complementary initiatives and organisations across the region, such as Exeter Science Park, Marine Industries Production Campus and others.
- Secure grant, research funding, and sponsorship towards the operation and other centre activities.
- Actively encourage collaborative partnership working and the transfer of knowledge between industry and academia.
- To ensure good customer service at all times i.e. client enquiries are dealt with promptly and effectively, interviews conducted professionally and that client issues are paramount, in order to maintain and manage EPIC’s reputation.
- To manage the delivery of the Torbay Hi-tech Forum meetings in conjunction with the Chair.
- Attend and provide management reports at internal EPIC Project Board meetings.
- Understand and comply with all the procurement, financial, compliance, reporting and monitoring, and obligations associated with the various funding for EPIC, including European Regional Development Funding (ERDF), Local Growth Deal funding, Coastal Communities Funding (CCF).
- Management of the financial structure and accounting mechanisms in line with TDA financial regulations working with Torbay Council’s Finance team.
- Ensure the effective operation of all relevant corporate processes including procurement, security, health & safety, risk assessment, ISO 9001, etc.
4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post
- To manage the EPIC budgets for staffing, rental income, debt collection and service delivery to ensure value for money and a sufficient return which cover all associated costs with the running and operation of the Centre.
- To support the delivery of the multi million pound Torbay Technology Park, ensuring the project is developed within budget and generates a rental income once built.
- Ensure that EPIC complies with the UK Regulations surrounding, equality, environmental sustainability, and procurement, marketing and state aid.
- Ensure full compliance and reporting of both claims and outputs of the Centre, particularly those associated with Government Funds.
5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post
- Responsible for the EPIC Centre Co-ordinator.
6. Working environment and conditions of the post
- Primarily office based although a requirement to travel to other locations for business purposes will be required, particularly around the Devon and the wider region.
7. Physical demands of the post
- Normal physical effort.
- Transporting and setting up exhibition equipment at national and international shows.
8. Specific resources used by the post
9. Key contacts and relationships
- Internal: Support services, i.e. Finance, Marketing, Business Advisors, Facilities Management and Asset Management.
- External: Torbay Council, Department for Business and Trade, Various Universities including Knowledge Transfer Teams and research institutes, UK Science Park Association, Department for International Trade, European Photonics Industry Consortium, South West Science Parks, South Devon College, Regional groups (South West Peninsula Manufacturers’ Network, Plymouth Manufacturing Group, Torbay and South Devon Manufacturers Forum, Somerset Manufacturers’ Working Group), Exeter Initiative for Science and Technology, Innovate UK, Catapult Centres.
10. Other duties
- To undertake additional ad-hoc duties as required, in line with the level of the job.
Other Information
- Examples of the typical types of problems and decisions the post will be required to make:
- The post holder will make decisions regarding the marketing and letting strategy for EPIC and the Technology Park and will allocate tasks to EPIC team.
- The postholder will make decisions as to the scope and design of the Torbay Technology Park to ensure the right businesses are attracted.
- To lead lease negotiations with appropriate tenants ensuring the current businesses are targeted and selected and rental income is maximised.
- Ensure EPIC maintains it’s competitive advantage; this includes ensuring the multi million pound equipment is maintained, updated and new kit is identified and secured that aligns to business needs as well as developing an appropriate programme of activity in the Centre
- The postholder will need to determine how best to solve operational issues that relate to power failures, IT systems going down, alarms going off, any time of the day/night.
- Focus priorities and objectives upon delivering the outcomes.
- Ensure that the project fulfils it outcomes and supports the industries requirements, while ensuring the Centre is financially self-sustaining.
- Recommend decisions to Torbay Council around service delivery and future service delivery.
- Make informed, timely and appropriate decisions for the benefit of the customers of the Council.
- Work is not uniformly covered by defined procedures. The post holder must think how to achieve the objectives of the EPIC and its customers, including where problem solving is required and agreed generic common approaches are not in place.
- Managing extreme peaks and troughs in workload at different stages of the financial year.
- On occasions a requirement to travel overnight both nationally, and internationally.
- Ability to cope with high profile pressures of role – often having to present to key stakeholders and other organisations across the South West.
- Prioritising differing stakeholder needs and, often conflicting demands.
- Handling commercially sensitive information and data.
- On occasions, dealing with confrontational stakeholders.
- Managing and driving service development initiatives whilst maintaining operational performance.
- The post holder is required to produce reports and statistical information.
Person Specification
Note for Candidate
All Candidates
The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement.
In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.
Candidates who consider that they have a disability
Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.
If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.
Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.
If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.
Job info |
Job info details |
Job Title |
Electronics and Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC) Sales Director - TEDC |
Strategic team/Directorate |
Electronics & Photonics Innovation Centre |
Service |
Economic Development |
Business unit |
TDA |
Skills and effectiveness
Essential skills and effectiveness
- Sales and marketing skills.
- Actively takes responsibility for achievement of outcomes.
- Effective communication skills, and able to work effectively as part of a professional team.
- Ability to market and sell a complex product or property.
- Able to manage and motivate a team, ensuring that competing demands are prioritised and properly resourced.
- Effective information computer technology skills, including MS Office.
- Demonstrable analytical skills.
- High level of numeracy e.g. budget management, statistics, etc.
- A customer focused approach.
- Effective interpersonal skills particularly the ability to build and maintain relationships with people at all levels.
Desirable skills and effectiveness
- Gravitas and empathy to work with business owners on a peer level.
- Ability to give informed, practical business advice.
- Effective presentation skills showing an ability to present to different audiences.
- Ability to engage at all levels of professionalism.
Knowledge
Essential knowledge
- Specialist knowledge of running a technology focussed business centre to ensure such things as IT, power supply, clean room environment management is maintained.
- Negotiating leases with prospective and existing tenants.
- Managing the maintenance of renewal of specialist equipment.
- Specialist equipment needs of current and future tenants.
- Budget management and financial planning.
- Performance management processes.
Desirable knowledge
- Understanding of property lettings and tenancies.
- Knowledge of public sector funding.
Experience and achievements
Essential experience and achievements
- Managing a property asset that accommodates multiple businesses.
- Extensive marketing and sales experience to maintain occupancy levels.
- Strategic planning and service development.
- Extensive experience of developing and maintaining strategic relationships with a range of stakeholders.
- Demonstrable experience of working with small and medium sized businesses.
- Demonstrable experience in the financial and administrative management of a small to medium sized organisation.
- Understanding of small business funding and preparation of companies to investment readiness.
- Demonstrable ability in building effective business relationships.
- Evidence of critically evaluating financial information and applying it to decisions.
Desirable experience and achievements
- Experience within the photonics or microelectronics sector.
- Experience in running and managing innovation centres or similar workspace.
Qualifications/professional memberships
Essential qualifications/professional memberships
- Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject.
Desirable qualifications/professional memberships
- Relevant professional qualification (related to property, business advice or economic development).
- Relevant project management qualification.
- Relevant leadership or management qualification.
- Evidence of ongoing professional development.
Other requirements
Other requirements of the job role
- Ability to travel efficiently around the South West, nationally and internationally in order to carry out duties.
- Ability to accommodate unsociable hours.
- Ability to stay overnight when required.
- Ability to work remotely.