Business Partnership Officer

About Us

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are recruiting a Business Partnership Officer to support strategic partnership working with the business communities across Richmond and Wandsworth boroughs.  

This new, two-year fixed term post will support a wider corporate approach to partnership that supports ambitions for both boroughs. Examples include both councils’ net zero plans, promoting fairness and opportunity in the local economy, attracting investment and helping local places to thrive. Both boroughs have strong creative and visitor economies which offer huge potential, with a particular opportunity for Wandsworth as London Borough of Culture and Richmond’s Twinning Affirmation, both in 2025. 

The post will be located in the Economic Development team and will benefit from strong existing links with businesses across both boroughs.  The challenge will be to harness the councils’ current relationships with business and focus them on borough priorities in a more strategic and systematic way.  The post will complement work to develop stronger and effective partnerships with public and community and voluntary sector organisations in both Richmond and Wandsworth. 

The successful candidate will:

• Develop a structured approach to partnership working with business and help identify areas where business engagement can help support borough and council priorities
• Work with other officers to situate the Business Partnership work within a wider corporate approach 
• Enable more effective sharing of information and insight resulting from business engagement across the organisation, allowing this to support wider strategic goals

You will need to demonstrate a good track record of working with business combined with effective stakeholder management.  You will also have a strong understanding of the needs of businesses of different types and sizes and how the business community can contribute to wider social, community and environmental – as well as economic – needs. Ideally, you will combine this with an understanding of working with the public sector and in a political environment.  

You will also be a confident communicator who is comfortable working with multiple stakeholders and with individuals at different levels of seniority.      You will have a sound project management approach in your work, be able to use your initiative and translate ideas into tangible actions.  You will enjoy meeting with partners and the wider community and enabling this through organising events, forums and other communication channels.

You will need to be flexible in how you work, have good analytical skills and be a strong report writer.  

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance. These include compressed hours, flexible hybrid working (dependent on service need) and annualised hours and a generous holiday allowance of 31 days plus bank holidays.

In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities is also offered.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline:

Closing date: 22 April 2024

Shortlisting Date: 26 April 2024

Interview Date: 29 April – 10 May 2024

Useful Information:

All internal applicants for this secondment must seek permission from their current line manager before applying. Failure to do so may result in the secondment not being authorised.

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. Please note this campaign is anonymised.

Important Information:

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils