In April 2023, Wyre Council appointed a new and ambitious Chief Executive to lead the council’s next chapter and a focus on a brand new and ambitious Council Plan with a clear vision: ‘Wyre is a place where everyone can prosper’.
‘Growth and prosperity’ are a key area of our vision and we are currently developing an Economic Development and Visitor Economy Strategy which will set out key initiatives to drive forward growth. To lead our plans for business support we are looking for an experienced Business Engagement Officer who will build on the success of the council’s business network ‘Wyred Up’ to help even more businesses start up, grow and develop their business and workforce in Wyre.
Working with business support partners from across Lancashire you will strive to ensure that our business support service is relevant, dynamic and well known.
What you’ll be doing:
- Organise, promote and manage business support events, networking, training and award schemes.
- Increase membership of the council’s business network ‘Wyred Up’, working with the Communications team to prepare new stories, develop the ‘Wyred Up’ brand, website and social content.
- Be the main contact within the organisation for business and commercial enquiries throughout the borough and liaise with external business support organisations and bodies.
- Develop, implement and monitor economic development projects with key stakeholders to support the long-term sustainability of the local economy, with a particular emphasis on supporting town centre businesses and objectives identified in town centre framework reports.
- Assist in the development, implementation, monitoring and review of the Council's Economic Development and Visitor Economy Strategy and support the implementation and delivery of our forward plan of business support projects.
What you’ll need:
- Experience of developing relationships with other Council teams, businesses and partners, showing a proactive approach to collaborative working.
- Experience in business support events organisation, promotion and management including networking, training and award events.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with a range of stakeholders, and able to passionately promote the uptake of business support.
- Excellent commercial awareness.
- Experience in managing and progressing investor / occupier enquiries.
In return we can offer you a salary up to £36,648, great work life balance with flexible working arrangements (including homeworking by agreement), up to 29 days annual leave subject to length of service, free onsite parking, discounted gym membership, access to occupational health and wellbeing services, extensive training and development opportunities and a supportive workplace culture that allows you to develop and grow.
For an informal discussion about the post please contact Mark Fenton, Economic Development Manager on 01253 887612
Job Description and Person Specification
