Business Support Manager (12 Month FTC)

This is a rewarding and impactful 12 Month Fixed Term Contract role focused on helping London’s entrepreneurs and small businesses access the support they need to start, grow and succeed. As a key member of the team, you will proactively engage with business owners across London, particularly those who may be less likely to access traditional support services, connecting them with tailored advice, resources and expert providers.
Working in a target-driven environment, you will build strong relationships with local communities, business networks, local authorities and support organisations to increase awareness of the service and reach diverse audiences. You will spend time meeting entrepreneurs, understanding their challenges and ambitions, and guiding them towards the most relevant support opportunities.
Alongside outreach and relationship-building, you will help strengthen London’s small business support ecosystem by identifying new partners, filling gaps in provision and using customer feedback and performance data to continuously improve the service.

This role be joining the East London region which covers: Barking & Dagenham
Redbridge
Havering
Waltham Forest
Bromley
Bexley
Greenwich

In particular you will be looking after Bromley, Bexley, and Greenwich, easy access to these boroughs would be advantageous (along with general travel within London, as required).

This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive, people-focused professional who is passionate about supporting local businesses, creating economic opportunity and making a tangible difference to London’s entrepreneurial community.

Key Tasks

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT:
- Identify, establish, and develop new relationships with community groups, event organisers, and service providers.
- Make relevant referrals to support providers, ensuring referrals are fairly allocated, without bias or prejudice.
- Conduct needs analysis and diagnostic assessments to identify each business’s personal barriers to accessing support.
- Contribute to local outreach, marketing, and promotional activities including attending or assisting in the organising of workshops, roundtables, exhibitions, PR opportunities etc.
- Provide ongoing information and guidance helping each SME to access a range of services that will enhance and improve their outcomes.
- Work collaboratively with the other Business Support Managers, sharing best practices, knowledge, and contacts. Effectively utilise each other’s skills to address any business support requirements.
- Promoting the service and representing the team at meetings, events and other public-facing opportunities.
- Maintain relationships with the relevant local authorities by providing regular updates on the uptake of the service.

SERVICE OWNERSHIP :
- Take an active role in developing and monitoring the service offered.
- Conduct research on good practice in the field of business support services.
- Undertake training, identified through supervision and annual appraisal process; and implement knowledge and skills acquired to enhance the service.
- Take part in promotional / marketing activities to help promote the Grow London Local service. This includes, but is not limited to, photoshoots, social media and PR activity, and TV and radio appearances.
- Source case studies and testimonials to showcase the successes of both Grow London Local – and the small businesses that we support.

MONITORING & PERFORMANCE:
- Issue businesses with a feedback survey, ensuring completion at the required stages of the process.
- Aim to engage with and support an allocated number of entrepreneurs and small businesses per month and provide them with required training and support.
- Maintaining/entering accurate/required data into the agreed reporting systems.
- Capture outcomes of the customer journey as part of the SME account management.
GDPR & RECORD KEEPING :
- Ensure that a high level of confidentiality is always maintained and that both service provision and record storage comply with the latest data protection regulations.
- Maintain complete, accurate and up to date client records as appropriate, including entries into nominated management information and client management systems.

You’ll have/bring

- Excellent communication and people skills.
- The ability and willingness to show empathy, kindness and understanding – dealing with each case on a unique and individual basis.
- Experience of working with entrepreneurs and small businesses, going beyond where required to achieve a positive outcome for the business.
- Experience working in a target driven and/ or sales environment.
Preferred:
- A good understanding of the London business ecosystem and a solid understanding of underserved communities.
- Ability to speak multiple languages.

You’ll Get

- 🌴 30 Days Annual Leave: Generous paid time off to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside of work.
- 💰 Competitive Salary: We value your contributions and ensure you are rewarded accordingly.
- 📚 Learning & Development Opportunities: Continuous growth is at the heart of our culture, with ample opportunities for professional development.
- 🤝 Strong Culture of Belonging: We foster an inclusive environment where every team member feels valued and supported.
- 🌐 Various Networks for Staff: Connect with like-minded colleagues through our numerous staff networks.
- 🏦 Competitive Pension Scheme: Secure your future with our robust pension plan.
- 🔗 Networking Opportunities: Expand your professional network within your chosen field.
- 🌍 Geopolitical Insights: Gain unique perspectives on global economic and political trends.
- 🏠 Hybrid Working Arrangement: Enjoy the flexibility of working both remotely and in-office.
- ✈️ WorkFlex: Take advantage of opportunities to work abroad and experience different cultures.
London's diversity is its biggest asset. At London & Partners, we aim to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the city that we promote. We encourage applications from people of any age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or assignment, faith or disability. We also appreciate that many people require flexibility in their working patterns and encourage you to talk to us at interview about any flexibility you may need, be it full-time, job-share, or part-time. We encourage applications from all sections of the community.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is to ensure our teams can manage application levels while maintaining a positive candidate experience. Once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.