Business Engagement Officer - Coventry, United Kingdom - The Highlife Centre

Description

As a Community Business Engagement Officer, you will play a pivotal role in facilitating the growth and development of ethnic minority-owned businesses in Coventry and Warwickshire.

Building on the success of previous initiatives, you will join the Highlife Centre team, and collaborate with Coventry City Council and WMCA to address barriers to accessing essential resources and support for business owners.

Your responsibilities will encompass project management, business and community engagement, partnership development, and data monitoring to ensure the project's objectives are met effectively.

• Manage and coordinate all activities related to the expansion project, ensuring adherence to timelines and objectives.
• Establish and oversee the Business Support and Resource Space at The Highlife Centre, providing a central hub for business support services.
• Set up five Business Accelerator Incubator Hubs within the building to deliver comprehensive support tailored to diverse business needs.
• Support the Programme Manager to plan and deliver 2 key business events across the year.

• Forge strong relationships with ethnic minority business owners and key stakeholders, including members of the local community, to understand their needs and challenges.
• Establish a unique steering group comprising ethnic minority business owners or influential figures to provide insights and guidance for the project.

• Collaborate closely with the Economic Development Services management team and Coventry City Council's Business Growth and Workforce Management (BGWM) team to align project activities with existing initiatives and resources.
• Work with local authorities to advocate for changes in consultation and engagement methods to better serve ethnic minority businesses.

• Develop and implement a robust referral process in partnership with Coventry City Council's BGWM team, facilitating access to grants, energy audits, and other support schemes for business upscaling.
• Provide direct support and guidance to businesses, connecting them with relevant resources and services to overcome barriers and achieve growth.

• Track project progress through comprehensive monitoring and evaluation, collecting data on business sizes, turnover, employee numbers, age, and sectors served.
• Generate monthly and quarterly progress reports, ensuring timely submission to funding bodies and evaluation teams.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Economics, or a related field _(preferred)._
• Proven experience in project management, community engagement, or business development _(required)._
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport with diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of business support services, funding mechanisms, and government initiatives relevant to micro, small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs).
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and independently manage multiple tasks with attention to detail.
• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and reporting using relevant tools and software.
• Understanding of issues facing ethnic minorityowned businesses and a commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in entrepreneurship.

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

• Business development: 1 year (preferred)

• Driving Licence (preferred)