Business Advisor - Leadership Specialist

Marketing Manchester; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Growth Company seeks an experienced Business Advisor – Leadership Specialist to diagnose leadership needs, design engaging development interventions and support senior leaders across Greater Manchester. The role blends advisory work with coaching, facilitation and targeted programmes to strengthen leadership capability and drive sustainable growth.

You will manage a diverse portfolio, analyse diagnostics, translate theory into practical actions, and collaborate with partners to align

Qualifications

• Significant experience in leadership development and business growth.
• Experience supporting leaders at senior management or director level.
• Ability to design and deliver leadership interventions across multiple organisations.

Responsibilities

• Manage a varied portfolio of businesses across Greater Manchester.
• Conduct leadership diagnostics and analyse data to identify gaps.
• Design and deliver leadership development programmes and coaching.
• Develop leadership plans aligned to business growth and productivity.
• Collaborate with partners to connect businesses with leadership support.

Skills

Leadership development

Business advisory

Coaching

Facilitation

Stakeholder management

CRM systems

Analytical skills

Project management

Networking

Education

Degree-level business/leadership qualification

Tools

CRM systems

MS Office

Job description

Shape the future of leadership across Greater Manchester

The GM Business Growth Hub is seeking an experienced Business Advisor – Leadership Specialist to provide high-quality leadership advice, development and support to business owners and senior leaders across Greater Manchester.

Working with a diverse portfolio of businesses, you will diagnose leadership development needs and design and deliver practical, engaging interventions that strengthen leadership capability, support behavioural change, improve productivity and contribute to sustainable business growth.

This is a client-facing role requiring the ability to work confidently across multiple businesses, sectors and leadership contexts. You will combine strong business advisory skills with an in-depth understanding of leadership practices, theories and development approaches, translating these into relevant and practical solutions for individual leaders, leadership teams and organisations.

The role will support business leaders through experience and knowledge across all areas of strategic and personal leadership development, while contributing to Greater Manchester’s wider ambitions for productivity, skills and inclusive economic growth.

Why this role matters

Strong leadership is central to business resilience, productivity, workforce development and sustainable growth. You will help leaders understand their current strengths, recognise areas for development and apply effective leadership practices within their own organisations.

Your work will be informed by an understanding of Greater Manchester’s strategic priorities, including:

• The Greater Manchester Strategy, including its ambitions for productivity, innovation, skills and inclusive growth.
• The GM Good Growth Fund, its priorities and the contribution effective leadership can make to improved business performance and wider economic outcomes.
• Local Skills Improvement Plans, particularly the relationship between leadership capability, organisational culture, workforce development and the skills needs of Greater Manchester’s priority sectors.

What you’ll be doing

• You will manage and support a varied portfolio of businesses, adapting your approach to reflect different organisational needs, sectors, leadership structures and stages of growth.
• Conducting detailed leadership diagnostics through business engagement, assessments, discussion and data analysis.
• Identifying leadership capability gaps and recommending targeted interventions that support meaningful and sustained behavioural change.
• Designing and delivering high-quality leadership development programmes, workshops, facilitated learning sessions, cohorts and blended learning activities.
• Providing bespoke leadership support through one-to-one coaching, group-based interventions, action learning and peer development.
• Applying a strong understanding of established and emerging leadership practices, theories and models, translating these into accessible and practical approaches for business leaders.
• Supporting leaders to apply learning within their businesses, turning leadership theory into changes in behaviour, decision-making, communication and organisational performance.
• Creating practical leadership development plans that align people development with business growth, productivity and wider organisational objectives.
• Working effectively with business owners, senior leaders and leadership teams, providing appropriate support, challenge and constructive feedback.
• Adapting delivery methods to suit different audiences, learning styles, organisational contexts and levels of leadership experience.
• Supporting diverse-led businesses through inclusive and appropriately tailored leadership interventions.
• Developing approaches to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of leadership activity, using feedback, data and organisational outcomes to inform continuous improvement.
• Working collaboratively with internal specialists, colleagues and external partners to connect businesses with the wider business support and leadership development ecosystem.
• Maintaining accurate CRM records and capturing activity, outputs, outcomes and client intelligence in line with service and funder requirements.
• Managing a portfolio of approximately 50 clients across SMEs and larger organisations in Greater Manchester.
• Building a strong professional network that generates referrals and raises awareness of the Leadership Service.
• Gathering high-quality business intelligence to help shape future programme design and inform understanding of the challenges facing Greater Manchester businesses.
• Contributing to the ongoing development of the Leadership Service, ensuring that provision remains responsive, relevant and evidence-led.

What we’re looking for

You will bring a strong blend of business advisory experience, leadership development expertise, strategic understanding and excellent interpersonal skills.

• Significant experience in leadership development, organisational development and business support.
• A strong and current understanding of leadership practices, theories, models and development methodologies, with the ability to apply these effectively within real business environments.
• A proven track record of designing and delivering leadership development interventions across multiple businesses, organisations, teams or client groups.
• Experience of delivering workshops, facilitated learning, coaching, action learning, peer development and blended learning approaches.
• The ability to translate leadership theory, diagnostic information and assessment outcomes into practical development actions.
• Experience of diagnosing leadership needs and creating targeted interventions that support behavioural and organisational change.
• Strong facilitation, coaching, presentation and communication skills, with the ability to engage different audiences and learning styles.
• Experience of working with business owners and senior leaders, with the credibility and confidence to support, challenge and influence appropriately.
• Knowledge of the wider leadership development landscape, including funded and non-funded provision.
• An understanding of Greater Manchester’s strategic priorities and how these influence leadership development, skills and business support.
• The ability to manage relationships and deliver leadership support across a varied portfolio of businesses, sectors and organisational contexts.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate interventions, demonstrate impact and use feedback and data to continuously improve provision.
• Excellent planning, organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to deadlines.
• Strong networking and relationship‑management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, partners and stakeholders.
• Well‑developed IT skills, including experience of CRM systems and management information tools.
• A commitment to inclusive leadership development and to demonstrating Growth Company values in all aspects of work.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Degree-level business, leadership, organisational development or learning and development qualification, or equivalent professional experience.
• Significant experience in leadership, organisational development, business growth or management development.
• Experience of supporting leaders at senior management, director or business-owner level.
• A relevant coaching, leadership development, facilitation or behavioural assessment qualification would be advantageous.

Why join us?

• This is a high-impact opportunity where you will:
• Shape leadership capability across Greater Manchester.
• Work with a varied portfolio of businesses, leaders and leadership teams.
• Help leaders apply evidence-based leadership practices within real business environments.
• Support stronger organisational cultures, improved productivity and sustainable growth.
• Design and deliver engaging leadership interventions with measurable impact.
• Contribute to major regional strategies, skills priorities and investment programmes.
• Work collaboratively with a diverse range of organisations, colleagues and partners.
• Join a values-driven organisation committed to making a positive difference.