Business Engagement Officer

Suffolk County Council; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS pension

Flexible working

Travel benefits

Annual leave up to 29 days (pro rata)

Job summary

Suffolk County Council is seeking a Business Engagement Officer within the Fire and Rescue Service Protection Team. The role involves leading business engagement across Suffolk, coordinating multi-agency Impact Days, and supporting PAS and regulatory compliance to improve safety in communities.

The post covers Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and solar consultations, with flexible working and options for part-time pro‑ration. Travel across Suffolk is required.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with businesses, partners or stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate technical or regulatory information clearly.
• Organised and proactive with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across Suffolk.

Responsibilities

• Build strong relationships with businesses and partner organisations.
• Deliver business engagement activity and multi-agency Impact Days.
• Analyse Unwanted Fire Signals data to help reduce repeat incidents.
• Support the Primary Authority Scheme and provide consistent fire safety advice.
• Contribute to consultations on emerging technologies such as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and solar.
• Work collaboratively to improve safety and compliance across Suffolk.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Project coordination

Data analysis

Public safety

Job description

Business Engagement Officer

- Address: Various - Travel across Suffolk is required

- Salary: £35,570 per annum (pro rata if part time) or Crew Manager in accordance with NJC pay scales

- Hours: 37 hours per week (Green Book) or 42 hours per (Grey Book), flexible working options available

- Contract: Fixed Term/Secondment for 12 months due to external funding

At Suffolk County Council, collaboration is at the heart of what we do. As a Business Engagement Officer (Protection) in the Fire and Rescue Service Protection Team you’ll work with colleagues, partners, and communities to lead business engagement activity across Suffolk, coordinate and deliver multi‑agency Impact Days, manage the Service’s Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and solar installation consultations, and support the Primary Authority Scheme (PAS).

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

As a Business Engagement Officer in Protection, you will play a vital role in helping Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service work with businesses and partners to keep people safe. Your work will directly support risk reduction, legal compliance, and safer communities across Suffolk.

On a day to day basis, you will engage with businesses to provide practical fire safety guidance, analyse Unwanted Fire Signals data to identify trends, and help deliver targeted interventions that make a real difference. You will also coordinate Impact Days and work with a wide range of partners, bringing people together to improve safety outcomes.

You will contribute to specialist areas such as Battery Energy Storage Systems and solar consultations, supporting informed and balanced decision making. Working closely with colleagues across Prevention, Protection, and Response, you will be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking team that values your insight and contribution.

In this role, you will

- Build strong relationships with businesses and partner organisations

- Deliver business engagement activity and multi-agency Impact Days

- Analyse Unwanted Fire Signals data to help reduce repeat incidents

- Support the Primary Authority Scheme and consistent fire safety advice

- Contribute to consultations on emerging technologies such as BESS and solar

- Work collaboratively to improve safety and compliance across Suffolk

This is a role where your work will be visible, valued, and meaningful. We are excited to welcome someone who is passionate about making a difference and ready to grow within a supportive and committed team.

You will need

We are looking for someone who is motivated, approachable and keen to make a positive difference. You do not need to know everything from day one. What matters is your willingness to learn, work collaboratively and develop your knowledge as part of a supportive and committed team.

You will ideally have experience of working with businesses, partners or stakeholders, with the confidence to communicate technical or regulatory information in a clear and practical way. You will be organised and curious, with the ability to manage competing priorities and adapt to the varied demands of the role.

You will enjoy building relationships and working with others, while also being comfortable taking the lead when needed. Confidence using digital tools, working with information and maintaining accurate records will also be important. Experience in fire safety, regulation, project coordination or event delivery would be beneficial, but we equally welcome relevant transferable skills and experience from other backgrounds.

Ideally you will have

- experience of working with businesses, partners or community groups

- strong communication skills and the ability to build positive working relationships

- an organised and proactive approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities

- confidence using IT systems and working with data

- a willingness to learn and develop your technical knowledge, with support from the team

- a full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel across Suffolk.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

You will be joining the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Protection team, which works to improve public and business safety across Suffolk. The team focuses on reducing risk through education and engagement, while supporting and enforcing compliance with fire safety legislation to help protect people, property and the environment.

You will work alongside knowledgeable and supportive colleagues, collaborating with businesses, partners and other areas of the Service to make a positive difference to communities across Suffolk.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Rob Green for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 07500 089452 or emailing [e-mail]

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

Closing date:22 Nov 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Onsite

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
• Plus lots more!

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

Posting date: 30 Oct 2026

Location: Ipswich, IP1 2BX

Job type: Contract