30 Jul 2026
Business Improvement Manager
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT MANAGER
Portsmouth City Centre BID
Help shape the future of Portsmouth city centre from day one
This is a genuinely rare opportunity: the chance to be the founding Business Improvement Manager for a brand-new Business Improvement District, and to put your own stamp on what Portsmouth city centre becomes over the next five years.
Portsmouth City Centre BID launches on 1 October 2026, backed by a clear mandate from the 288 levy-paying businesses who voted it into being — and it needs a leader to turn an ambitious five-year Business Plan into reality.
If you want a role where the impact you have is visible on the streets you work in — safer, busier, better-promoted, more resilient — this is it.
The Opportunity
As Business Improvement Manager, you’ll take full ownership of delivering the Portsmouth City Centre BID Business Plan 2026-2031. You’ll be the driving force and the public face of the BID: building relationships with levy payers, the City Council, the Police and other key partners, and coordinating the people and resources that make a city centre thrive. You’ll report directly to the BID Board and have real autonomy to shape how the programme is delivered.
What you’ll be doing
You’re a confident, credible leader with a track record of delivering complex projects and building genuine partnerships across the public and private sectors. You’ll need:
You’ll be joining right at the start, shaping the systems, relationships and reputation of the BID for years to come. Few roles offer this level of ownership over a city centre’s future, or this much scope to see your ideas become reality.
Competent candidates often rule themselves out of applying for roles because they feel they don’t meet every requirement. If this role interests you and you feel you have relevant experience and skills, we’d love to hear from you.
Portsmouth City Centre BID
Help shape the future of Portsmouth city centre from day one
This is a genuinely rare opportunity: the chance to be the founding Business Improvement Manager for a brand-new Business Improvement District, and to put your own stamp on what Portsmouth city centre becomes over the next five years.
Portsmouth City Centre BID launches on 1 October 2026, backed by a clear mandate from the 288 levy-paying businesses who voted it into being — and it needs a leader to turn an ambitious five-year Business Plan into reality.
If you want a role where the impact you have is visible on the streets you work in — safer, busier, better-promoted, more resilient — this is it.
The Opportunity
As Business Improvement Manager, you’ll take full ownership of delivering the Portsmouth City Centre BID Business Plan 2026-2031. You’ll be the driving force and the public face of the BID: building relationships with levy payers, the City Council, the Police and other key partners, and coordinating the people and resources that make a city centre thrive. You’ll report directly to the BID Board and have real autonomy to shape how the programme is delivered.
What you’ll be doing
- Leading delivery of the BID’s programme of projects and services across its four key themes, tracking performance against the business plan
- Acting as the primary point of contact for circa 288 levy-paying businesses building relationships, listening, and responding
- Developing the BID’s communications strategy and championing Portsmouth city centre as a destination
- Building strong partnerships with Portsmouth City Council, the Police and other stakeholders to add value to the business plan
- Securing additional funding through grants, sponsorship and voluntary contributions to supplement levy income
- Managing the BID’s budget, contractors and governance, and reporting regularly to the Board
- Leading the proposal, promotion and delivery of the BID’s renewal ballot ahead of year four
You’re a confident, credible leader with a track record of delivering complex projects and building genuine partnerships across the public and private sectors. You’ll need:
- Strong project management, planning and senior leadership skills
- Excellent written, oral and presentation skills, with confidence handling media
- Proven influencing and negotiating ability at both strategic and operational levels
- Budgetary and financial experience, including securing grant funding or sponsorship
- A genuine understanding of how BIDs work, and of town/city centre management
- The energy, resilience and initiative to thrive in a small, fast-moving organisation
You’ll be joining right at the start, shaping the systems, relationships and reputation of the BID for years to come. Few roles offer this level of ownership over a city centre’s future, or this much scope to see your ideas become reality.
Competent candidates often rule themselves out of applying for roles because they feel they don’t meet every requirement. If this role interests you and you feel you have relevant experience and skills, we’d love to hear from you.