Position: Business Engagement and Grants Officer (SCP 29)
Location: High Street, Esher, KT10 9SD
Start Date: ASAP
Contract Duration: 7+ Months-Minimum 2 days a week in the office & the flexibility to work in the office as required.
Working Hours: 36 hours per week
Pay Rate: PAYE: £159.25 per day
Job Responsibilities
- Build and maintain relationships with independent businesses, SMEs, BIDs, chambers of commerce, and business groups.
- Visit town and village centres to engage directly with local businesses and offer support.
- Promote, administer, and manage business grant programmes.
- Support businesses with grant applications, eligibility checks, and funding processes.
- Maintain accurate grant records, process payments, and monitor compliance.
- Prepare grant reports, evaluations, and case studies.
- Provide advice and signpost businesses to relevant council services.
- Work with internal departments to deliver joined-up support for businesses.
- Assist in delivering projects, events, and initiatives that improve town and village centres.
- Represent the Council at meetings, workshops, networking events, and stakeholder sessions.
- Support projects that encourage business growth and improve the local trading environment.
Requirements
- A-Level qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
- Training or qualifications in business support, economic development, or project administration.
- Experience in business engagement, grants administration, or customer-facing business support.
- Experience managing administrative processes, documentation, or financial/grant records.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office 365.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
- Willingness to attend occasional evening or weekend meetings and events.
- Eligible to work in the UK.
Desirable
- Experience supporting independent businesses or SMEs.
- Experience working with business groups, BIDs, or traders' associations.
- Knowledge of the challenges facing high-street businesses.
- Understanding of grants, compliance, or financial administration processes.
Job Reference: OR110067
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 7 months
Pay: £125.70 per day
Experience:
- business engagement: 2 years (required)
- grants administration: 2 years (required)
- customer-facing business support: 2 years (required)
- handling grant applications: 2 years (required)
- funding programmes: 2 years (required)
- financial/administrative records: 2 years (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
