Company
Business Support Business Finance (BSBF)
Contract type
Permanent/ Full- time
Salary
Up to £36,050 per annum
The Growth Company’s (GC) Business Growth Hub (BGH) team have a fantastic new opportunity for a Innovation Network Executive to join our Innovation Team. The successful candidate will support the Greater Manchester BGH Innovation service, with a focus on the commercialisation of innovation by proactively identifying innovation-focused business development opportunities at a hyper local level by delivering qualified referrals to the Innovation Delivery Team. The role will be proactive and outward-facing, combined with desk-based research and a working knowledge of Research and Development and the commercialisation of innovation.
This role requires travel across Greater Manchester and, on occasion, to other locations further afield. Candidates must have access to a Car or another reliable means of transport. Due to the nature of networking events, the role will also require flexibility to work early mornings and late evenings when needed.
The BGH supports businesses across Greater Manchester with expert advice on funding, innovation, people, sales and sustainability. We provide tailored support to meet the needs of each business at every stage of its growth journey.
Key Responsibilities:
- Cover the Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone, including Oldham, Bury and Rochdale, Greater Manchester’s flagship growth location for advanced materials, machinery, manufacturing and industrial scale-up.
- Work strategically across three local authorities to identify and deliver opportunities for innovation service support in these regions.
- Work closely with the Innovation Network Manager and local authority partners to deliver targeted innovation support and engagement activities.
- Generate and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective clients through research, networking, referrals and stakeholder engagement.
- Act as a key ambassador for the Innovation Service, identifying opportunities to engage businesses and promote available support.
- Build and maintain relationships with partners, stakeholders and professional service organisations to strengthen the innovation ecosystem.
- Attend industry events across Greater Manchester to raise awareness of services and generate new business opportunities.
- Maintain accurate records on the CRM system and support effective follow-up activity by delivery and account management teams.
About You:
- Professional, motivated and target-driven, with a passion for building relationships and generating opportunities.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build rapport quickly with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Confident presenter, comfortable speaking at events, workshops and conferences.
- Proactive and resilient, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage a varied pipeline of opportunities effectively.
- Customer-focused and committed to delivering an excellent experience for clients and partners.
- Confident working collaboratively, while also using own initiative to achieve objectives.
Skills Required:
We are currently unable to provide sponsorship for work permits or visas. Therefore, we can only consider candidates who already have the legal right to work in the UK.
Artificial intelligence can assist you during the application process, but every example and statement you include must be honest, accurate, and based on your own real experiences. If plagiarism is detected, meaning you present someone else’s ideas or experiences, or AI‑generated content, as your own, your application may be withdrawn, and internal applicants could face disciplinary action.
At GC, safeguarding the welfare of all individuals including vulnerable adults and young people is a top priority, and we expect all staff to uphold this standard. All appointments follow Safer Recruitment Procedures, including a DBS check carried out by Due Diligence Limited (DDC Ltd), at no cost to the successful candidate.
Please note: It is a legal offence to apply for a role involving regulated activity if you are on the Barred List.
We are committed to increasing workforce diversity and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who meet the essential criteria and either have a disability or are from a diverse ethnic community.
If this applies to you, you can request consideration under this scheme during the application process. Your request will be shared only with the Hiring Manager and Internal Recruitment Team.
We also aim to make our recruitment process inclusive and accessible. If you need reasonable adjustments or have any general enquiries at any stage or the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] or call us on 0161 237 4447.
Examples include:
Meeting the hiring manager or touring the venue in advance.
Extra time for tasks.
Interview questions shared beforehand.
Accessibility software or equipment for assessments.
We’re proud to support the Ban the Box campaign, which helps people with convictions access job opportunities. As part of this, we’ve removed questions about convictions from the initial application stage.
GC is committed to fostering a culture of flexibility and agile working. Many roles will increasingly support full agile arrangements. If you require more permanent flexibility, we encourage you to discuss this during your interview so your request can be considered early in the process.
All GC colleagues will work in line with the Health and Safety at work act and the GC Health and Safety Policy.
