Vacancy - Business Support Manager

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP

JOB DESCRIPTION

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

To work within NEP and with its key business support partners to identify and deliver solutions that support businesses in all aspects of their start up, survival and growth.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Role

• To understand the issues facing local businesses, the support available to them locally and nationally and to develop or support the development of local initiatives to address these
• To work closely with local business support partners regarding business needs and develop initiatives jointly where appropriate
• To develop or influence strategy and policy at the Northamptonshire level and at national level as they affect Northamptonshire
• To work with ‘neighbouring’ partners as required, e.g. Local Enterprise Partnerships on areas of shared interest;
• To manage and/or support the development of projects and programmes within this subject area. This could potentially include securing funding, managing  funded programmes, applications and appraisal processes, monitoring and evaluation.
• To arrange and facilitate meetings and contribute to event management as appropriate to the role
• Undertake basic primary research and/or commission specialist research as appropriate and report results
• Assist in the development and prioritisation of key projects  for NEP

Specific areas of responsibility  

• Develop and deliver solutions that support businesses in all aspects of their start up, survival and growth;
• Build relationships with providers of Government funded business improvement programmes to ensure engagement with and take up by Northamptonshire businesses
• Liaison with local Business Support Partners and facilitation of meetings as required
• Develop and deliver access to finance initiatives, such as Venture Capital/Business Angels and the INV-ENT scheme
• Facilitation of the Innovation & Enterprise Centres’ Network
• Undertake any other reasonable duties within the scope of the job

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

Education:

• NVQ level 4, degree or equivalent qualifications/experience

Experience/Skills

1. Good business knowledge and experience; and an understanding of business motivations.
2. Experience of / previous involvement in the development of successful business representative groups.
3. Experience of working with businesses to develop solutions to support their growth;
4. Strong credibility with and demonstrable experience of working with senior level company decision makers.
5. Able to demonstrate a strong desire to think and act independently, to identify opportunities for supporting businesses, working with colleagues, and to progress those opportunities toward a successful conclusion.
6. Able to work with a wide range of partners and partner organisations with different and sometimes competing interests and motivations.
7. Strong experience of using IT packages as a business tool.
8. Flexibility in terms of time and location of work activity.
9. Car driver with a full driving licence.
10. Able to hit the ground running, to quickly assess and understand the needs of the role and to begin to deliver results producing activity very quickly after taking up the post. 
11. Strong organisation and communication skills
12. Attention to detail
13. Project management skills; ability to build strong working relationships;
14. SFEDI accreditation would be desirable

Closing date for applications is 27th January 2012