Business Adviser Job Description

Transcription

1 Job Description

2 Responsible to: Operations Manager Overall Purpose Northamptonshire Growth Hub (NGH) is a collaboration between the University of Northampton and Northamptonshire County Council. Based at the Innovation Centre, we deliver business support to anyone who wants to start, run and grow their business in Northamptonshire. Some of our activity is funded by the UK Government Department for Business, nergy and Industrial Strategy, and we are also part-funded by the uropean Regional Development Fund (RDF). This role will contribute to the successful delivery of RDF funded projects and core services delivered through the Northamptonshire Growth Hub. It supports business creation, survival, growth and development for individuals thinking of starting a business, and new start or established businesses who are seeking support to help them address their enterprise needs and/or meet their organisational objectives. To engage with clients on both an inbound and outbound basis; to holistically determine their business situation, stage, issues, challenges and objectives by conducting an interrogative diagnostic process (an organisational needs analysis) to help highlight needs and subsequently prioritise the action to be taken. To provide the clients with information, advice and guidance they need as and where appropriate; work with clients to determine their priorities and the next steps/action to be taken and introduce clients to Northamptonshire Growth Hub and its RDF delivery partners according to their business stage and needs. Principal Duties and Responsibilities Undertake with clients a preliminary analysis of information and development needs through an interrogative diagnostic (organisational needs analysis) on both an inbound and outbound basis. Provide clients with a professional, honest and high quality consultative advice and guidance service around digital business and in line with the RDF project parameters. Develop on-going client relationships and work proactively with clients according to need, to include development of an action plan; continual review of action plans and follow-up activities ensuring progression to a successful output. To account manage, monitor and track client progress through different elements of support offered. Serve clients and record activity in a timely manner, in accordance with customer service objectives as agreed with customer with relevant internal quality standards. Provide clients with information, advice and guidance appropriate to their needs and business stage. Identify other NGH or RDF services that would benefit the client, including grants and workshops, and refer as appropriate. Page 1

3 ncourage clients to use these and other resources to help them address their enterprise issues or development needs. Support clients with the development and progression of action plans and completion of RDF funding applications. Identify opportunities for partners and stakeholders engaged in the delivery of the RDF project(s). Keep abreast of enterprise/business issues, trends, legislation, regulation and opportunities and share best practice with colleagues and other teams as appropriate. Keep updated of other publicly funded support services and refer clients to these where appropriate. Contribute to the promotion of NGH and RDF projects, including networking activities. nsure that all client information is captured and recorded in line with existing NGH procedures and RDF requirements. nsuring that full details of interactions, information provided, referrals made etc. are recorded in such a way that enables others to fully understand the nature of engagement and service provided. nsure all work undertaken is in line with RDF regulations and all required paperwork is completed to meet the contractual obligations of the project. Take responsibility for individual targets, and contribute to key project team performance targets and objectives. valuate and improve professional practices, skills and knowledge regularly to make sure that an effective, high impact support is consistently delivered to clients. Undertake professional development and accreditations as appropriate to the role and as required. Generic Duties and Responsibilities The post holder will be expected to undertake other responsibilities and tasks as reasonably requested by the Operations Manager. The post holder will be responsible and accountable for ensuring all employment legislative requirements are adhered to including equality and diversity and health and safety issues. The job description may be altered at any time in the future in line with the level of the post to meet changing institutional requirements, but only in full consultation with the post holder. This post is part funded by the uropean Regional Development Fund Page 2

4 Person Specification Please ensure that your application statement provides clear and specific examples to illustrate how you meet each essential criterion. Applicants that fail to do so will not be shortlisted. Please see Key below Criteria ssential / Desirable Assessment Methods Qualifications 1 As a minimum the job holder will likely be educated to Degree level or equivalent Skills, Knowledge and xperience 2 xperience working in a busy work environment involving face-to-face sales and/or customer service contact or similar 3 xperience gained within an SM business or in a management role in a corporate business. 4 Demonstrable experience of delivering business support D 5 Awareness of aspects of business support available from local, regional and national business/enterprise support providers A / P 6 A comprehensive and practical understanding of the needs and dynamics of pre-start, new and established SMs I / P 7 Direct experience and specific knowledge in at least one of the following areas: social enterprise, business innovation, running your own business or management in one or more of Northamptonshire s key sectors. / P 8 xperience of using IT / CRM, data entry and recording of client details Personal Qualities 9 A team-player with good interpersonal skills; the ability to diplomatically, competently and effectively engage/communicate with people at all levels (internally and externally) I 10 Ability to communicate effectively by telephone and/or webcam, face-to face and in writing I 11 Able to question/interrogate clients effectively with the ability to interpret needs 12 Ability to provide appropriate solutions for clients and encourage progression of action plans D 13 mpathetic and able to develop rapport with clients and colleagues I 14 Ability to calmly handle difficult client engagement situations and turn them into positive outcomes wherever possible D 15 Self-motivated, collaborative, organised and able to manage time effectively 16 Client focussed recognising that clients are both internal and external Page 3

5 17 Ability to handle multiple client and internal demands in both quality and timely manner 18 Self-improver solicits and uses feedback, manages own learning and development, adopts new ways of doing things D 19 Ability to adapt to organisational change D 20 Ability to adapt to technological advances in the workplace D () ssential (D) Desirable (A) Application (I) Interview (T) Test (P) Presentation Page 4

6 Terms and Conditions of mployment Job Title: Duration: Fixed Term: Until 01 December 2019 Hours: Salary: Work Base: Pension: Holidays: Full time: 37 hours per week Grade 7: 33,518 per annum Park Campus or any of The University of Northampton premises as required ligible to join the Local Government Pension 23 days per annum plus 5 days after 5 years continuous service plus Bank Holidays and Closed days. Notice Period: 2 months Probationary Period: 12 months Additional Points to Note Applicants are required to provide two referees who can give an opinion on academic and/or professional work experience. Successful applicants are required to provide any stated/required qualifications and evidence of any memberships to professional bodies. Applicants must provide evidence of their right to work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 and Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act The starting salary for all new appointments and internal promotions will normally be at the minimum point of the grade Should you be shortlisted to attend an interview the University will not reimburse you for any expenses incurred. Page 5