Innovation Director

At Oxford Innovation Space, we create and manage inspiring workspaces where ambitious businesses can thrive. With over 35 years of experience and a growing network of innovation centres across the UK and Ireland, we support more than 1,000 occupiers across multiple sectors.

Harwell Innovation Centre isn’t just a building – it’s a vibrant hub for pioneering science and technology businesses, located at the heart of the world-renowned Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire. We’re excited to announce a vacancy for a part-time Innovation Director to join our team and help deliver exceptional service at this state-of-the-art innovation Centre.

Harwell provides flexible workspace, expert business support, and access to a thriving community of entrepreneurs and researchers. Together, we play a key role in supporting early-stage ventures by connecting them with cutting-edge facilities, national laboratories, and collaborative networks across the Space, HealthTec, and Energy sectors.

Find out more about Harwell Innovation Centre here: Flexible Workspaces | Harwell Innovation Centre

This is a part-time role, working 7.5 hours per week. We are happy to discuss suitable working patterns at interview, but flexibility will be required to meet the needs of the business.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provide business coaching, strategic support, and specialist mentoring to centre customers to drive innovation and growth.
• Build a network of business specialists, support associates, and third-party providers to deliver high-quality support.
• Collaborate with the Centre team to ensure business support activities contribute to OKRs/KPIs (revenue, occupancy, cost management).
• Work with strategic partners (universities, research organisations) to design and implement initiatives benefiting centre customers.
• Attend Business Support Team meetings, share best practices, and adopt service improvements.

What You’ll Bring:

• Data and ROI driven, with a strong understanding of contract delivery KPIs and ability to provide and interpret information in management reports
• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and a detailed knowledge of the key functions within a business particularly sales & marketing, financial management and operations
• Ability to use own initiative and to be able to identify quickly and effectively how problems can be solved
• Strong networking and relationship building skills (existing network connections desirable)
• A passion for innovation and solving problems
• Excellent communication and organisational skills
• Ability to interact with and co-ordinate various stakeholders

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

We offer more than just a job - we offer a place where you can grow, contribute, and be part of something meaningful. Here’s what you can expect:

Salary: £55,000 (pro-rata) per annum, plus flexible benefits package.

Time off: 25 days’ holiday + bank holidays (pro-rata).

Flexible benefits: Options to swap salary for extra benefits, including additional holiday.

Wellbeing: Wellbeing days, Employee Assistance Programme, and health resources.

Perks: Discounts on high street brands, EV leasing, cycle to work scheme, and more.

Development: Full induction, buddy system, and ongoing learning opportunities.

Culture: A supportive, inclusive team that values your voice and ideas.

Purpose: A chance to make a real difference in the lives of entrepreneurs and growing businesses.

Ready to Apply?

If this sounds like your kind of role, we’d love to hear from you. Click ‘Apply’ to join us as our new Innovation Director.

Got questions? Reach out - we’re happy to chat.

We’re Committed to Inclusion

We’re building a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities. If you’re excited about this role but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply - you might be just the person we’re looking for.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we’ve received sufficient applications, so apply early to avoid disappointment.