Town Centre Manager

Job details
Posting date:	29 August 2025
Salary:	Not specified
Additional salary information:	Competitive
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	28 September 2025
Location:	Rochdale, OL16 1XU
Company:	inploi
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	75732564

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Summary

Town Centre Manager (Middleton)

Post Title: Town Centre Manager (Middleton)

Contract: Permanent

Salary: Up to £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.

In July 2025, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, announced the formation of a new Mayoral Development Corporation in Middleton, one of four such areas across Greater Manchester. The MDC is being created to ‘drive forward the regeneration of the town centre with a focus on accelerating housing and commercial growth around existing and planned transport improvements.

This role will have the opportunity to be involved in influencing and shaping the future regeneration and development of Middleton Town Centre, working with other teams in the RDA, the Council and the proposed Middleton Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC).

As the Towns Centre Manager you will work closely with all stakeholders including Council and RDA colleagues, the proposed MDC, the local business community and residents to shape the future regeneration and development of Middleton Town Centre and help realise the shared vision for the Town Centre.

Job Purpose

The successful applicant will undertake a range of Town Centre Manager duties and work closely with colleagues in Rochdale Development Agency (RDA), Rochdale Borough Council and the proposed MDC to drive forward the continuing development of Middleton 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 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.

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 Middleton 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

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

This is a great time to be joining the team. Town Centres are currently going through a radical period of change. Middleton is no exception.

In July 2025, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, announced the formation of a new Mayoral Development Corporation in Middleton, one of four such areas across Greater Manchester. The MDC will drive forward the regeneration of the town centre with a focus on accelerating housing and commercial growth around existing and planned transport improvements.

As Middleton Town Centre Manager you 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 Middleton 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: 22nd September 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:

Friday 26th September 2025 at Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale

For an informal chat about the role please contact: Nicola Walker (Visitor Economy Manager), RDA at n.walker@investinrochdale.co.uk

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