BUSINESS SUPPORT ADVISER
- Salary: Circa £27,000 p.a. (depending upon experience) + a range of great benefits
- Place of work: Navigators Point, Belmont Business Park, Durham, DH1 1TW (hybrid working available)
- Working Hours: We are open to applications on either full-time basis (37 hours per week, Monday to Friday) or part time basis (18 hours per week)
- Contract Type: Fixed term until 31 March 2027
Help businesses overcome challenges, seize opportunities and achieve their ambitions.
Every business has its own goals, opportunities and challenges. As a Business Support Adviser, you’ll play a vital role in helping business owners access the guidance, expertise and support they need to achieve and succeed.
Through telephone, webchat and email interactions, you’ll work directly with businesses to understand their needs, identify potential solutions and connect them with relevant support. Whether helping a start-up take its first steps or supporting an established business to overcome barriers, your work will make a meaningful difference to businesses, communities and the wider economy.
If you’re passionate about delivering exceptional customer service, building relationships and helping businesses thrive, we’d love to hear from you.
What You Will Be Doing
As a Business Support Adviser, you'll manage a diary of pre-arranged and urgent customer appointments, supporting businesses through a range of virtual channels. You'll use your communication and diagnostic skills to understand each customer's unique circumstances and identify the most appropriate next steps.
Key responsibilities include:
- Delivering exceptional customer service through telephone, webchat and email appointments.
- Using available information to understand customer needs and research relevant support options.
- Effectively questioning and listening to understand the customers’ requirements and diagnose business challenges and opportunities.
- Creating bespoke action plans to support customers on the next stage of their business journey.
- Developing an exceptional understanding of current government support, local and national business support programmes, funding opportunities and partner organisations.
- Continuously developing your knowledge through training and self-development.
- Confidently engaging with internal and external stakeholders, including attending events, presentations and webinars to promote the service.
What You’ll Bring
We're looking for someone with strong customer service experience and a passion for supporting businesses.
You'll ideally have:
- Business Acumen – An understanding of business challenges, opportunities and growth.
- Diagnostic Skills – The ability to quickly identify customer needs and determine appropriate solutions.
- Communication Skills – Excellent verbal and written communication skills across telephone, video, webchat and email.
- Problem-Solving Skills – A proactive and solution-focused approach.
- Empathy and Relationship Building – A customer-focused mindset with the ability to build rapport and trust.
- Technical Confidence – Comfortable using virtual communication tools and systems.
- Knowledge of Business Support – Previous experience of government-funded support programmes or business advice services would be beneficial but is not essential.
We welcome applications from people with experience in customer service, account management, relationship management, business development, advisory services or business support roles.
Why Join UMi?
UMi helps businesses to do more and go further by finding and packaging the best information, expertise and finance.
Since 2007, we’ve supported with more than 720,000 businesses across the UK, helping to distribute £340m in grants and loans, unlocking £685m in private investment, creating or protecting 46,200 jobs, and enabling contract wins worth £220m.
Our work includes:
- Business Support - We work out what a business requires and provide them what they need via a mix of one-to-one support, events and programmes.
- Finance & Funding - We design and manage grant and loan funds for businesses to make it easier for them to survive and thrive.
As an employee-owned business and certified B Corp, we're committed to creating positive impact for businesses, communities, our people and the wider economy. Everyone at UMi plays a part in our success and in shaping our future.
What You’ll Gain
We believe our people are out greatest asset. That’s why we offer a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development and work life balance.
In addition to your salary, pension and healthcare cash plan, you’ll receive:
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays per year
- Additional annual leave after 3, 4 and 5 years’ service, increasing to a maximum of 28 days
- 6 wellbeing days per year to support your health and wellbeing
- Flexible working arrangements to support a good work life balance
- Learning and development opportunities
If you’re ready to play a key role in supporting businesses to grow, innovate and succeed, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply now to join an award-winning, employee-owned business that is committed to balancing people, profit and planet.
Closing Date:
There is no fixed closing date for this vacancy. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we reserve the right to close the vacancy at any time should we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications.
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You must reside in the UK and be able to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK. UMi complies with all relevant UK employment legislation.
UMi is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of age, race, gender, disability, religion or belief, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, race, sexual orientation or marriage and civil partnerships and comply with all relevant UK legislation.
Pay: £27,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
- Work from home
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Durham DH1 1TW: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Do you have a good understanding of local and national business support?
- Do you have experience supporting businesses and/or running a business?
- Are you confident using Microsoft Office and other digital systems to manage customer interactions and records?
- Do you have customer service experience via telephone, email and webchat?
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Location:
- Durham DH1 1TW (preferred)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Durham DH1 1TW
