Self-Employment Coach

Serco; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Pension scheme

Internal courses and qualifications

Wellbeing and employee support

Volunteer and charitable giving

Job summary

Serco in Birmingham is seeking a Self-Employment Coach to support people in turning business ideas into sustainable self-employment opportunities. You will coach individuals, help develop viable business plans, and provide practical guidance to build confidence and financial independence.

Working with Job Coaches, stakeholders, and partners, you will deliver expert advice across core business areas and help participants move forward with trust and pride in their journey toward self-employment.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of core business functions including marketing, finance, sales, and operations.
• Experience supporting individuals to start or develop a business.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and motivate others.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth assessments to evaluate business viability and identify the most appropriate support for participants.
• Deliver one-to-one coaching on business planning, finance, budgeting, marketing, sales, growth, taxation, and business start-up requirements.
• Facilitate workshops and awareness sessions that help participants explore and develop self-employment opportunities.
• Build strong relationships with participants, Job Coaches, Jobcentre Plus colleagues, and external stakeholders to provide joined-up support.
• Equip participants with practical tools, resources, and contacts to help them establish and grow sustainable businesses.
• Manage caseloads, maintain accurate records, gather evidence of progress and outcomes, and support participants beyond trading start where required.

Skills

Business function knowledge

Coaching experience

Communication skills

Independent work

Collaboration with partners

Diversity & safeguarding commitment

Job description

Location: Birmingham, B5 4UA
Salary: £32,000 to £35,000 plus excellent benefits
Schedule: Permanent, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Ready to impact a better future?

As a Self-Employment Coach in our Employment, Skills and Enterprise team, you'll support people to turn business ideas into sustainable self-employment opportunities. Through coaching, guidance, and practical support, you'll help participants build confidence, develop viable business plans, and create a positive future for themselves.

Our work touches lives by helping people overcome barriers to employment and achieve greater financial independence. In this role, your work has purpose. You'll provide expert advice across key business areas, helping individuals take meaningful steps towards self-employment while creating a positive impact on communities and supporting long-term economic growth. Working closely with Job Coaches, stakeholders, and partners, you'll help create impactful solutions that enable participants to move forward with trust, pride, and confidence.

What You’ll Do As a Self-Employment Coach

• Conduct in-depth assessments to evaluate business viability and identify the most appropriate support for participants.
• Deliver one-to-one coaching on business planning, finance, budgeting, marketing, sales, growth, taxation, and business start-up requirements.
• Facilitate workshops and awareness sessions that help participants explore and develop self-employment opportunities.
• Build strong relationships with participants, Job Coaches, Jobcentre Plus colleagues, and external stakeholders to provide joined-up support.
• Equip participants with practical tools, resources, and contacts to help them establish and grow sustainable businesses.
• Manage caseloads, maintain accurate records, gather evidence of progress and outcomes, and support participants beyond trading start where required.

Does this sound like you?

• Strong knowledge of core business functions including marketing, finance, sales, and operations.
• Experience supporting individuals to start or develop a business.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and motivate others.
• Ability to manage your workload independently while working collaboratively with colleagues and partners.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, safeguarding, and delivering high-quality support to participants.

What We Offer

• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays (and the option to buy up to five additional leave days each year)
• Up to 6% contributory pension scheme
• Over 1,100 internal courses available, funding for qualifications and apprenticeships (we currently offer over 60 different apprenticeships), mentoring opportunities, and a focus on internal progression.
• Employee Assistance Programme, Bupa Anytime HealthLine, wellbeing app, 30% off at Serco-managed leisure centres, and 24/7 access to a virtual GP service
• Discounts across around 1,000 retailers, from food and clothing to days out, entertainment and travel
• Paid volunteering day, tax-free charitable giving through Payroll Giving Scheme, donate your pennies from your monthly pay to the Serco People Fund Charity
• Our employee networks support connection by providing spaces for collaboration, learning, and belonging. They represent and empower all our colleagues including veterans, LGBTQIA+ employees, women, parents and carers, people with disabilities, and people from all cultural backgrounds.

Vetting And Checks

An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role. This includes spent and unspent convictions, cautions, and any relevant information held by local police, in accordance with safeguarding requirements. You will also complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire to help ensure the right support is in place for you to succeed in the role.

A Little Bit About Us

At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we're united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our Inclusive Recruitment Commitment

We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our 'Ban the Box' pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).

For support with your application, please contact [e-mail].