Business Adviser
Department: Marketing & Special Projects
Location: North East BIC, Sunderland (with regular travel to Sunderland Software Centre, Evolve Business Centre and Washington Business Centre)
Working Hours: Part time - 22.5 hours per week. Working pattern to be agreed.
Salary: £35,800 (FTE)
Start Date: As soon as available
About the North East BIC
North East BIC is a social enterprise with a clear and meaningful purpose: to help businesses start, grow and thrive. We provide high quality workspace alongside tailored business support, and we take real pride in the communities we create across our business centres.
Our spaces are staffed by friendly, caring people who genuinely want to see the businesses around them succeed - and we work hard to make that happen through one-to-one support, collaborative events, networking opportunities and a culture where everyone feels welcome.
We also work closely with partners, stakeholders and the wider business support ecosystem to make sure our tenants can access every opportunity available to them. When our tenants grow, create jobs and innovate, the whole region benefits.
North East BIC is entering an exciting new phase, following our recent appointment to operate three of Sunderland Council’s business centres. With a strong focus on tenant engagement and business growth, we are developing a refreshed approach to support and community building across these spaces. The Business Adviser will sit at the heart of this work, helping to shape the support offer and build thriving business communities within the centres.
The role
This is a rewarding role for someone who loves working with people and believes in the power of great business support. As Business Adviser, you will be the go to person for businesses across three of Sunderland City Council's business centres - Sunderland Software Centre, Evolve Business Centre and Washington Business Centre - building trusted relationships, understanding what each tenant needs to grow, and making sure they get it.
You will be out and about across the centres, visible and accessible to tenants, running one-to-one advice sessions, shaping events and initiatives, and connecting businesses to the right support at the right time - whether that is within the BIC or through the wider regional network of specialists, programmes and funding opportunities.
You will be part of North East BIC’s wider business support team, working collaboratively to deliver dedicated tenant business support for Sunderland City Council’s business centres and support the city’s economic growth ambitions. It is a hands on, outward facing role ideally suited to an experienced adviser who thrives on variety, enjoys building relationships and gets real satisfaction from helping businesses succeed. You will also work closely with the Council’s Business Investment Team and other key economic development agencies across the city and region
Key responsibilities
Tenant Engagement & Business Support
- Build trusted, professional relationships with existing and new tenants across all three centres, becoming a familiar and valued presence in each.
- Deliver structured one-to-one business advice sessions to understand tenant goals, challenges and growth priorities.
- Develop practical, straightforward growth plans that identify clear actions and appropriate routes to support.
- Provide consistent follow-up that encourages ongoing engagement and sustained business development.
Programme & Event Development
- Design and deliver a responsive programme of events, workshops and initiatives aligned to tenant needs, centre priorities and Sunderland's economic objectives.
- Spot opportunities for new initiatives and collaborations, supporting ideas from early concept through to sustainable, value adding activity.
- Work closely with the Marketing Coordinator, and the wider business support team, to promote events, share success stories and celebrate tenant achievements.
Partnerships, Signposting & Ecosystem Engagement
- Connect tenants to the wider regional business support network, including specialist advisers, funding opportunities, peer networks and programmes.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with delivery partners, stakeholders and support organisations across the region.
- Act as an enthusiastic ambassador for the Sunderland City Council business centres, encouraging new enquiries and supporting networking activity.
Monitoring, Impact & Reporting
- Keep accurate and up to date records of tenant engagement, activity and outcomes.
- Support monitoring and reporting against agreed KPIs, including engagement levels, tenant events/ activities and programme milestones.
- Contribute to case studies and impact reports that demonstrate the real difference this role makes to tenants and the wider regional economy.
About you
We are looking for someone who is warm, proactive and passionate about helping businesses succeed. You will bring:
Essential Skills & Experience
- A strong customer focused approach, with excellent interpersonal skills and a natural ability to build trust and rapport with business owners.
- A coaching mindset - confident in supporting, encouraging and constructively challenging businesses to help them move forward.
- A proactive, self-starting attitude, with the energy and initiative to generate engagement and build momentum.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage a varied workload including multiple tenant relationships and competing priorities.
- Confident communication skills, including the ability to present to groups, facilitate discussions and encourage participation.
- A collaborative, outward facing approach to building relationships both internally and externally.
- Several years' experience providing business advice, coaching or enterprise support to start-ups, micro-businesses or SMEs.
- Practical understanding of common business growth challenges, including finance, funding, markets, leadership and operations.
- Delivering or contributing to business support programmes, workshops or events.
- Proven ability to signpost businesses to external specialists, funding opportunities or wider support networks.
- Maintaining accurate client records and contributing to reporting within a public, funded or accountable delivery environment.
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Working with businesses in digital, technology, professional services, manufacturing or engineering sectors.
- Familiarity with managed workspaces, incubators or coworking environments.
- Knowledge of the Sunderland and wider North East business support landscape, including local networks, partners or funding opportunities.
Key relationships
Internal
- Special Projects Manager - your reporting line, providing strategic alignment and performance oversight.
- Marketing Coordinator (Sunderland Business Centres) - close collaboration on events, promotion and tenant communications.
- Centre Managers and onsite teams at all three centres - day-to-day coordination and tenant engagement.
- Wider North East BIC business support team - sharing expertise, best practice and signposting to programmes.
External
- Tenant businesses across all three centres - your primary clients, at the heart of everything you do.
- Business support organisations, delivery partners and specialist advisers - referral routes and co-delivery of events.
- Funding bodies, networks and ecosystem partners - enabling access to opportunities and growth pathways.
- Sunderland City Council and stakeholders - supporting alignment with strategic objectives and evidencing impact.
Qualifications & professional development
We welcome applications from candidates educated to Level 3 or above, including A levels, BTEC Nationals, NVQs or an equivalent qualification. However, we recognise that qualifications alone do not tell the full story of an individual’s capability or potential, and we place equal value on the experience and development gained throughout your career.
What matters most is a demonstrated commitment to personal and professional development. This may include formal study, professional memberships, coaching or mentoring training, continuing professional development, and a clear motivation to continually learn and improve. If you can evidence this commitment alongside relevant experience, we would be pleased to consider your application.
What we offer
We want everyone who works at North East BIC to feel supported and valued. As part of our team you will enjoy:
- Free onsite parking
- Company pension
- Healthcare
- Cycle to work scheme
- On-site café
How to Apply
If this sounds like the role for you, we would love to hear from you.
Please send your CV and a covering letter, telling us why you are the right person for this role to [email protected] before 5pm on 16th June 2026
North East BIC is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
Pay: £35,800.00 per year
Work Location: In person
