Job Description

Heywood Town Centre Manager Job Advert

Rochdale Development Agency's (RDA) Culture and Placemaking Team is seeking to recruit a Town Centre Manager for Heywood.

This is a great time to be joining the team. Town Centres are currently going through a radical period of change. Heywood is no exception. Rochdale Borough Council has recently secured New Deals for Towns Funding for the next ten years and is working closely with the Heywood Towns Board to develop exciting plans to re-invigorate the Town Centre.

These include major physical improvements to the Streetscape, festivals and events to animate the town centre and increase footfall, the development of a new brand identity and marketing plans and improvements to the transport network to ensure everyone can easily access the town and enjoy its varied offer.

The Heywood Town Centre Manager will support this change and help define the characteristics and experiences that will support the development of a vibrant and prosperous Town Centre, increasing footfall and the local retail, leisure, cultural and commercial offer.

The successful applicant will work with partners to create a safe, sustainable and dynamic Town Centre that meets the needs of residents, visitors, local businesses and key stakeholders. The Heywood Town Centre Manager will have;

An excellent understanding of the issues affecting town centres and current good practice and innovation in town centre management.

Experience in retail, marketing and events.

Considerable experience of project management and delivery; and

The skills to engage with businesses and develop dynamic partnership working

HOW TO APPLY

We want to find out how your skills and experience are a good match for the role. In a 2-page cover letter & CV or voice/video recording (10min maximum), please outline:

- Why you are interested in this role

- How your skills and experience match the job description and person specification.

- How your commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, and environmental responsibility is evident in your previous work / voluntary / lived experience

-

Applications should be submitted to: HR@investinrochdale.co.uk

Closing date for applications:

23rd July 2025

Selection Process

Applications will be anonymised and scored against the requirements above by our selection panel. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an in-person interview, which will take place on:

30th July 2025 ,

in Rochdale.

For an informal chat about the role please contact:

Nicola Walker (Visitor Economy Manager), RDA at n.walker@investinrochdale.co.uk

Town Centre Manager (Heywood)

Post Title: Town Centre Manager (Heywood)

Contract:

Two years initially with plans to extend subject to funding.

Salary:

Upto 32,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Hours of work

: 37 a week, including evening and weekend work

Responsible to:

Visitor Economy Manager

Background to the Role

Almost a decade of regeneration is reshaping our place, delivering new transport, leisure, culture and business opportunities. We have exciting new strategies in place for Festivals and Events, Culture, Cultural and heritage Assets, Visitor Economy and investment to help us to achieve our goals.

Heywood, in the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale has been identified as one of 55 towns across the UK to receive Long Term Plans for Towns funding and support. This will see up to 20 million invested over the next ten years to help regenerate the town centre.

The aim of the programme is to make towns places where people and businesses want to invest, creating new jobs and breathing new life into our high streets and town centres. Resources are allocated across three broad themes:

Safety and Security

High Streets, Heritage and Regeneration

Transport and Connectivity

Proposals will be developed by local people for local people: bringing together residents, business, and community leaders to devise and agree a shared vision for the future.

As the Towns Centre Manager you will work closely with the Heywood Towns Board established to lead, plan and oversee activity, the local business community, residents and stakeholders to help realise this shared vision.

Job Purpose

The successful applicant will undertake a range of Town Centre Manager duties and work closely with colleagues in the Heywood Towns Board, Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) and Rochdale Borough Council to drive forward the continuing development of Heywood Town Centre with the aim of increasing vitality, new business and footfall.

You will work with partners to create a safe, sustainable and dynamic Town Centre in response to the needs of residents, visitors, local businesses and key stakeholders. The post-holder will be required to deliver a range of interventions as agreed by the Heywood Towns Board that will enhance the attractiveness of the Town Centre and support the development of its retail, leisure, cultural and commercial offer.

The ideal candidate would be energetic, committed and a motivated self-starter who can complete identified work streams within a wider work programme and operate as part of team.

The post initially offered as a fixed term contract until 31st March 2026 through New Deal for Towns Funding with the opportunity to extend subject to securing further funding.

Key Responsibilities

Respond to town centre issues that impact upon its success, developing strong business and community relationships and providing quick responses to key issues that are affecting the town centre experience.

Facilitate and administrate the Heywood Town Centre business group and manage community engagement in conjunction with the Township Team.

Manage the open public space in the Town Centre, liaising with the Environmental Management Team to achieve an attractive Town Centre

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with local businesses and market traders to understand their needs.

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Council departments, partner organisations, contractors, clients and customers.

Deliver service improvements to the town centre informed by customer feedback, and implement new or revised service policies.

Identify future funding opportunities to support the ongoing development of the Town Centre.

Manage budgets maintaining accurate financial records of income and expenditure.

To provide regular progress and finance reports on the development of Town Centre and market, performance and key issues.

Work with colleagues in the wider Culture and Placemaking team to develop and manage a Festival and events plan for the Town Centre to enhance footfall and encourage business activity. Work with colleagues to promote the town Centre and its offer to residents and visitors.

Person Specification

Knowledge, Experience & Technical Competencies

(E)ssential

or

(D)esirable

How Assessed

(i.e.

(A)

pplication form /

(I)

nterview /

(T)

ests or

(App)

raisal)

A relevant degree qualification (or equivalent) or 5 years' experience working in Town Centre Management

E

A

Knowledge and understanding of issues affecting town centres with an understanding of current good practice and innovation in town centre management

E

AI

Knowledge of regeneration, economic development and business support strategies, policies and practice.

E

AI

Experience of working collaboratively across the public, private and voluntary sectors to deliver improved outcomes.

E

AI

Experience of working directly with businesses and business groups in a similar role

E

AI

Experience of managing or coordinating programmes, projects and events and successfully delivering outcomes.

E

AI

Experience in marketing and promotion

E

A

Excellent Communication skills

E

AI

Excellent IT skills, especially social media

E

AI

Experience of managing budgets

E

A

Ability to develop positive relationships with key partners and stakeholders, especially residents and local businesses.

E

AI

Ability to manage a varied workload and balance priorities within the time frame available.

E

AI

Ability to plan strategically, identify opportunities for development of the service and promote innovation in delivery.

E

AI

Ability to work proactively, creatively and flexibly.

E

AI

Exceptional organisational skills, with the ability to meet deadlines. Attention to detail.

E

AI

Demonstrable experience of the following

Critical thinking and creative problem solving skills

Planning, organising and effective time management

Decision-making

Communication skills

Team work & adaptability

Negotiation

Conflict management

Risk identification & management

E

AI

An understanding of the Heywood context

D

A/I

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 24 months

Pay: Up to 32,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Cycle to work scheme Paid volunteer time Work from home
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 23/07/2025
Expected start date: 01/09/2025