Business Start-up Advisor

We are currently working with an East Midlands Local Authority seeking an experienced Business Start-up Advisor to support new businesses across their remit.

Business Start-up Advisor
Start Date: ASAP
Duration: 6-12 months initially
Rate: Negotiable (Inside IR35)

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide one-to-one business advice and support, including structured diagnostics, action planning, and tailored recommendations
• Assist clients in developing business plans, refining their business models, and navigating start-up challenges
• Guide entrepreneurs through the grant application process, ensuring eligibility and overcoming potential barriers
• Deliver workshops and group sessions covering essential business topics
• Actively generate new start-up referrals and receive leads from local authorities, economic development teams, and business networks
• Maintain regular contact with clients, providing ongoing support and tracking progress through a key account management approach
• Build and strengthen relationships with economic development partners, business support providers, and funding organisations
• Represent the programme at networking events, local authority meetings, and business forums
• Advise on funding opportunities, including Start-Up Grants and other relevant schemes
• Support businesses in structuring grant and loan applications, ensuring they meet funding criteria
• Broker specialist support by connecting businesses with local experts, national support programmes, and other agencies
• Develop and manage a programme of business start-up events
• Encourage business networking and collaboration opportunities within the local start-up community
• Raise awareness of available business support services and promote entrepreneurship in the region
• Track progress against key performance indicators, including business start-ups, funding secured, and jobs created
• Maintain accurate records in CRM databases to ensure compliance with programme reporting requirements
• Regularly review and refine service delivery in collaboration with the Economic Development Team

Requirements:

• Degree or professional qualification (SFEDI or equivalent banking/accountancy qualification) or evidence of equivalent continuing professional development
• Experience of writing clear and concise narrative and performance reports
• Well-developed coaching, mentoring and motivational skills
• Experience of developing and/ or using CRM systems or a demonstrable ability to learn quickly and become familiar with new software and processes
• Experience of writing clear and concise narrative and performance reports.
• Well-developed coaching, mentoring and motivational skills.
• Experience of developing and/ or using CRM systems or a demonstrable ability to learn quickly and become familiar with new software and processes

If you are interested, please apply with your most up to date CV or send it directly to dpalmer@venngroup.com  and myself or a member of my team will be in contact.