Venture Development Manager

Venture Development Manager Business Development and Commercial Partnerships

Location: Lincoln

Salary: From £38,784 per annum

Please note, this post is permanent and full-time at 37 hours per week.

Closing Date: Friday 28 August 2026

Interview Date: Tuesday 08 September 2026

Reference: EL1280

The University of Lincoln is seeking a commercially focused Venture Development Manager to oversee the University's enterprise facilities and business incubation activity, including Sparkhouse and Think Tank, while providing management oversight of Student Enterprise. The role will have responsibility for operational delivery, commercial performance and service development.

About the Role

You will lead the day-to-day operation of Sparkhouse and Think Tank, ensuring the centres are professionally managed, commercially sustainable and provide a high-quality environment for businesses to develop and grow.

You will be responsible for facilities and tenant management, occupancy and income generation, budgets, compliance and service standards, alongside overseeing business incubation and Student Enterprise activity. Working within the Enterprise & Innovation team, you will lead and develop staff, build strong relationships with businesses and partners, and use commercial and operational insight to improve performance and services.

About You

We are looking for someone with experience of operationally managing facilities or business premises, combined with experience of business support, incubation and working with start-ups or growing SMEs.

You will have strong commercial acumen, with experience of managing budgets, generating income and delivering against targets. You will also be an effective leader and relationship builder, with strong organisational, influencing and customer service skills.

What We Offer

• Lead and develop enterprise facilities and incubation activity
• Support entrepreneurs, students, graduates and growing businesses
• Build strong networks across the business and innovation community
• Access a wide range of staff development opportunities and employee benefits

In support of our commitment to developing colleagues by providing opportunities for internal movement and promotion, applications for this opportunity will only be accepted from people who are currently employed by the University of Lincoln, our current students, and any currently engaged agency workers who have been with us for more than 12 weeks. We actively encourage applications from all colleagues across the University with the relevant skills and experience.

You can find out more about working at Lincoln, and everything that we have to offer, at:

We strive for a diverse workforce with the very best employees and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. The University encourages applications from underrepresented groups inclusive of Black, Asian and other minoritised/marginalised ethnic groups, all gender identities and expressions from the LGBTQIA+ community, candidates with a disability, and those that practise different faiths and beliefs, to enhance our One Community where we strive to be kind, patient, and supportive of each other.

Please note: If you think you may require a visa to work in the UK, please refer to UK Visas and Immigration or UK Visas - Information for Prospective Staff before embarking upon an application, to ensure that you understand the requirements for sponsorship. You may be eligible to work in the UK via other alternative visa routes such as the Global Talent Visa or by having Settlement / ILR; please refer to the UK Visas pages above for further details.

Further details:

• Job Description and Person Specification