Business Growth and Inward Investment Officer Ref: 31-25

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Demonstrable experience in business development, economic growth, or a related field.
• Strong communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of economic challenges and opportunities in rural areas.
• Knowledge of investment promotion or inward investment processes.
• Ability to form effective and collaborative relationships with a diverse range of partners, and work collegiately to develop solutions and viable projects
• Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with different audiences (internally and externally)
• Excellent written communication skills, and experience of creating effective project documentation, briefings and reports
• Substantial experience of working with Elected Members and operating in a political environment.
• Proactive, positive, and "can do" attitude with track record of delivering
• Excellent written communication skills, and experience of creating effective project documentation, briefings and reports
• Substantial experience of working with Elected Members and operating in a political environment.
• Proactive, positive, and "can do" attitude with track record of delivering
• Ability to write clear policies and committee reports.
• Excellent, clear and concise written oral and written communication skills.
• Proactive with a 'can do' attitude and track record of delivering successful outcomes.
• Ability to use initiative and identify innovative solutions.
• Ability to plan, organise and co-ordinate effectively.
• Comprehensive IT skills
• Commitment to own development and to supporting training and development initiatives.
• A professional approach when dealing with officers at all levels of the council, external partners, elected members and residents.

Desirable

• An understanding of relevant local economic growth context. 
• Experience of securing grant funding.
• Experience of commissioning and undertaking economic research and devising economic policy.
• An understanding of the relevant Regulatory environment.
• Commercial acumen.
• Experience of working in a management, supervisory or mentoring capacity. 
• Highly developed ICT skills.
• Negotiating and relationship management skills.
• Political awareness.
• Ability to motivate others and lead small teams effectively.

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level in a related field or evidence of equivalent learning through experience.
• A full driving licence and access to own transport.

Desirable

• A postgraduate qualification relevant to Economic Development / Growth / Housing/Project Management/Strategy.

Essential Behaviours

Collaborative:

• I encourage individuals and teams to work, learn and deliver together
• I look for opportunities to coach, support and mentor people both inside and outside of my own team (s) or discipline.
• I listen supportively to the ideas of others, building on their ideas, while sharing my views and knowledge
• I look for ways to work in partnership with colleagues across services, Members and external partners #oneteam

Ambitious:

• I act as a role model, leading by example: motivating, influencing and inspiring others
• I actively encourage innovation. If things go wrong, I see that as an opportunity to learn and develop
• I take ownership of change and help others to understand, adapt to, implement and embed change
• I always ask myself 'How could we do this better?

Results Driven:

• I keep to my promises and challenge myself and others to deliver high-quality services
• I look for opportunities to develop people, nurturing future talent
• I understand our council priorities and how I make a difference.
• I make sure I am clear on what I need to achieve, keeping a focus on results

Empowering:

• I look for and act on opportunities where we can generate an income or drive down costs
• I take responsibility if things don't go well and learn from it for my own and for the organisation's development
• I show energy and drive to explore new opportunities and challenge the status quo

Supportive:

• I give time to colleagues who need help or support, even when the pressure is on
• I understand and take care of my own well-being and of that of those around me
• I treat everyone with kindness, dignity and respect, valuing their thoughts, background and experience