Business Growth Adviser

Location: Cornwall (Home Based but must be able to attend regular client meetings in person)

Fixed Term – 31 March 2025

If you are passionate about supporting the growth of businesses and the economy of Cornwall and The Isles of Scilly, this is a wonderful opportunity to have a direct influence on this important agenda.

Oxford Innovation Advice is a commercial organisation recognised as market leading specialists in SME Business Growth support and development. Now firmly established as a key provider of advisory services to businesses, having successfully delivered numerous ERDF funded Business Support projects in the Duchy since 2009. Due to further new business wins we are now looking for a well-rounded Business Coach or Adviser to join our high performing team.

We enjoy a reputation for exemplary customer service and the ability to deliver results. Our people are recognised for exceptional skill levels, the ability to get things done and for working in a light touch managerial environment where we trust our employees to perform with minimal supervision.

This role will see you engage with both early stage and established businesses, helping them shape the development of successful growth plans. It may be related to the optimal investment of finance raised as part of the wider programme activities, leadership development or simply being a “critical friend” supporting senior leadership teams to devise and execute their strategies.

The successful candidates will be able to demonstrate experience in growing businesses, change management and associated disciplines. As well as expert knowledge, you will need exceptional client facing skills and the discipline to work within programme parameters to achieve the required impacts. As team members providing skills and support, you will work closely with OI Advice colleagues to deliver the programme to the highest industry standards.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Following training, use of diagnostic tools to assess the strengths/weaknesses of the business and agree a programme of support to enable the business to grow at pace
• Work with the SME senior team to identify and implement an agreed programme of business support.
• Build effective relationships with individuals, organisations and stakeholders in CIoS to develop a pipeline of high-quality referrals.
• Record interactions on our CRM platform
• Support other members of the delivery team, sharing knowledge and best practice.
• Assist in delivery of other programme initiatives as required.
• Gather data and information to demonstrate the impact of the business support provided.

About you

• Someone with strong interpersonal skills, business experience relevant to and appropriate for SME’s.
• You will have well developed analytical skills, and a good understanding of typical SME growth challenges and how they are overcome.
• You will have an eye for detail.
• Your skills may include a sound understanding of business planning/growth strategies.
• Ideally you will have experience of working as a Business Coach or Adviser and/or at Director level where you will have been responsible for strategy development and execution.
• You will be confident and articulate and you will quickly win the trust and respect of our clients.
• You will be able to present effectively to small groups as well as give confidential advice in 1:1 settings.
• The ability to work both independently and with colleagues in the team, supporting in areas where you have specialist knowledge.
• You will have sound judgement and take a collaborative and solution focussed approach.

Strong active listening, networking and relationship building skills are key to this role, as well as an enthusiasm to undertake internal and external training as required and translate learning into positive interventions with clients.

The successful candidates will have a drive for quality and have experience in working in a demanding environment, where the willingness to meet the needs of the business, is crucial.

You will be educated to degree level (or have equivalent commercial experience).

A full driving license and access to a car is essential for this role.

About Us

Oxford Innovation Advice is a dynamic and fast-growing company where a culture of constant innovation and mutual respect delivers bottom line results from within a stimulating and challenging working environment. Part of SQW Group, our sister divisions provide flexible office space for start-up and growing technology companies, Angel investment networks and co-investment fund management plus public policy and economic development consultancy services in the UK, Europe and Asia. 

Our closing date for applications is the 5th April 2024. We reserve the right to appoint prior to this date, therefore applications should be submitted as soon as possible.

Interviews and assessment centres will take place w/c 8th April 2024.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.