Enterprise Manager- Start Up Street at Launch It Paisley

This is a unique opportunity to manage our enterprise centre called Start Up Street in Paisley.

In this enterprise centre we support young people who are facing barriers to start and grow their own businesses. Our programmes include an incubation programme with subsidised space, business support, mentoring and guidance and a programme of prestart enterprise support, business training and events.

This role involves continuing to manage the hub locally and creating a hive of enterprise activity, premises management and client recruitment and support. The right candidate must be a self-starter and able to work on their own. They must have excellent people skills, enterprise knowledge and be able to develop and support the young people we are working with as well as developing local partnerships. They will be expected to meet targets including building occupancy, increased survival, and prosperity of the businesses in their charge. Ultimately this exciting role is looking for an enthusiastic and knowledgeable person who is able to offer great opportunities for young start-ups in Paisley who engage with Launch It.

Key features:

Raise Awareness of Enterprise

• Continue to maintain an excellent partnership with Renfrewshire Council and development of partnership working with key local organisations to initiate activities that encourage youth enterprise and build a collaborative community network.

Client Recruitment

• Undertake client recruitment, including undertaking outreach activities into the local community
• Provide pre-start advice, helping potential clients of the hub prepare their business plans and raise funding
• Build a strong client referral system with agencies, banks, council, colleges and other youth support organisations
• Provide for the needs of clients applying to come into the Hub in accordance with the Trust guidelines. Maintain and manage a waiting list.

Business Support

• Provide ongoing support so that clients have the best chance of making a success of their business
• Establish contacts with local businesses, agencies, charities, solicitors, accountants, etc. to establish an effective referral network for the benefit of clients
• Recruit mentors to provide specialist support
• Assist with employability strategies, guiding potential clients to appropriate training programmes and external organisations

Centre Management

• Manage the smooth running of the Enterprise Hub and ensure that the premises (maintenance, health & safety, etc.) are fit for purpose
• Fundraise for centre, writing applications and hosting visits from funders.
• Undertake facilities management of property
• Conduct tours of the Hub and meetings for other interested parties
• Host quarterly trustee meetings.

Reporting and Monitoring

• Adhere to the license agreement and service level agreements.
• Provide management information and report on outcomes and progress and maintain appropriate records and administration that may be required
• Measure against key performance indicators and share this information as agreed with central organization.
• Meet targets including occupancy rates, business survival rates and prosperity of the businesses, employability outcomes and participation in enterprise activities
• Manage the rental process and ensure rents are paid by the clients
• Report to trustees monthly and immediately on any significant development
• To carry out other duties as requested by the Trust

Budgetary Responsibility

• Responsible for preparing and managing a budget. Specific responsibility for rent collection and actively contributing to fundraising.

Health and Safety Responsibility

• To implement the Health and Safety policy within the centre and for advising clients on such issues.

Personal Specification

The right candidate will have a commitment to the vision, mission and purpose of the Trust

Skills and Knowledge

· Self-motivated, self-starter and able to work on own.

· Business experience

· Excellent communication skills

· Excellent interpersonal skills, empathy building, coaching skills

· Ability to motivate individuals

· Experience in giving presentations and training.

· Numerate

· Knowledge of and good practice in equal opportunities

· Empathetic to the circumstances of the target group

· An effective team member

· Knowledge of the local area

Experience

· Worked with business support programmes, writing business plans or run own business.

· Effective networking skills and able to work with external agencies

· Working with disadvantaged young people

· Working with spread sheets, financial data and budgets

· Working with challenging targets

· Worked with enterprise and employability programmes

· Event Management skills

Technical skills and qualifications

· If no recognised business support qualification, then other relevant subjects, e.g. marketing, accounting, project management or has demonstrable experience

· Computer literate and familiar with database systems and Microsoft Office

Commitment and disposition

· Highly conscientious and ambitious for the aims and aspirations of the Trust

· Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines with some flexibility to work as required by the demands of the job

Deadline for applications: 24th September 2024

Please send by email to amber@launchit.org.uk your CV and a covering note outlining why you are the right person for the role