Business Partnership Lead

TN United Kingdom; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job description

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Essex County Council is a systems leader for Skills and Economic Growth, partnering with public and private sectors to position Essex as a hub of innovation, enterprise, and ambition. Through our business-facing services, we drive an inclusive, integrated approach to skills development, business support, sector growth, and inward investment across the County.

This role supports the creation of a strong Greater Essex place partnership between the public and private sectors to create scale and alignment of resources, improving the effectiveness of economic growth activity and making Greater Essex stand out and compete as an attractive place to invest, work, visit, study and live.

The role will support the development of strong business partnerships and collaborative work into the wider economic development work, including key regional projects and the Greater Essex Business Board (GEBB).

Accountabilities

1. Support ECC’s strategic business engagement, public/private sector partnership development, and business-facing promotion activities.
2. Support the growth and development through the effective organisation of the Greater Essex Business Board (GEBB) by ensuring there is a close link with delivery goals of place/sector partnerships that maximise the impact of economic development activities.
3. Identify and build a wide community of businesses and public sector partners to create a thriving place partnership to attract inward investing businesses and new investment into economic infrastructure; support business & sector growth activities, including existing partnerships (Visitor economy/LVEP, Construction Alliance); to enable and influence successful place shaping policy making.
4. Support the development of place/sector business partnerships to engage and contribute (financially and in kind) to business growth in Greater Essex.
5. Develop paid sponsorships or memberships (to be financially self-sustaining) and a coordinated set of commercially driven business-led events (such as summits) that provide clear benefits for sponsors and partners.
6. Provide support in the recruitment and account management of place partnership sponsors and contributors through identifying potential sponsors, engaging with them to understand their needs and interests, and maintaining strong relationships to ensure ongoing collaboration and support.
7. Support marketing and communications programmes to ensure key audiences understand the scope and impact of major projects, partnership goals and activities and mobilise their alignment with them and contribution to them.
8. Support colleagues in delivering or commissioning activities to promote Essex’s attractions as a place to invest, work, visit, study, collaborating with various stakeholders to develop and implement promotional strategies and ensuring that all activities align with the overall objectives.
9. Ensure the implementation of ECC’s business account management approach by leading business engagement efforts that build and maintain trusting relationships with businesses, industry representatives and partners.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

1. Educated to RQF level 6 or equivalent by experience, preferably in economic development, business development or related discipline, with a proven track record of successful partnership with business for economic growth impact.
2. Experience of establishing strong partnerships across the public and private sectors at senior level, which are influential and collaborative in their nature and engender delivery of joint innovative strategies.
3. Strong leadership skills which drive a highly performing and motivated multi-disciplinary team from diverse backgrounds, to achieve strategic objectives.
4. Significant understanding and experience of modern, effective communication techniques and systems within a complex organisation/partnership, including the use of traditional, web-based and social media. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
5. Exceptional interpersonal, influencing and relationship management skills including experience of operating at all levels to develop strong collaborative relationships across the public and private sectors.
6. Proficiency and experience in both private and public sector, across multiple projects and coordinating resources to meet objectives.
7. Self-reliant with an innovative and creative approach to relationship management and communication management with a proven track record of setting and delivering against operational goals and targets central to overall business growth objectives.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in.

With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.