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Job Description
Job Title
Date
E2B Business Support Manager
June 2012
Main Purpose of the Job
To project manage the Newcastle Science City ERDF funded Enterprise to Business hub (E2B)
project in partnership with the Entrepreneurial Development Unit of Newcastle University’s
Careers Service and to deliver in-depth business development advice ensuring that project
targets and key performance indicators are achieved.
The post holder will be initially based with Newcastle University’s Careers Service for 40% of
their time and with Newcastle Science Company Ltd for 60% of their time.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
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To establish an effective working relationship between Newcastle University’s
Careers Service and Newcastle Science City in order to deliver E2B on time and on
target and ensure long term impact and sustainability of the project.
To work as part of the Entrepreneurial Development Unit to embed the E2B
project objectives into the Unit’s entrepreneurship support offering, known as Rise
Up, in order to create demand and support students and graduates who have
committed to start their high-growth potential business.
To prepare and manage the project’s key operational plans including: the
marketing and communications plan, events plan and working protocols with
partner organisations.
To be the first and ongoing main point of contact for the E2B project’s SME
beneficiaries and manage their entire customer journey and experience to
maximise fulfilment of growth potential through interaction with Newcastle
University’s Rise Up activities.
To effectively communicate the project’s benefits and rules to entrepreneurs,
businesses, team members and stakeholders in a clear and timely fashion and to
build a pipeline of high quality referrals and to facilitate the recruitment of eligible
and suitable companies to the project.
To manage, as part of Newcastle Science City’s Programme Management Group,
all aspects of the assessment of applicants and selection of participants including
an in-depth high-growth diagnostic of the project’s potential beneficiaries.
To manage a portfolio of SMEs and devise the most appropriate and bespoke
package of services to support their business development needs.
To estimate resources and participants for projects and draft and submit proposals
in order to ensure that all operational, financial and administrative elements of the
programme are planned and recorded.
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To manage SME’s Action Plans and ensure all agreed activities and objectives are
delivered.
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To liaise with the project’s delivery partners and other key stakeholders to ensure
all project elements are well integrated and delivered to high standards
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To deliver in-depth business development advice to participating companies
alongside advice provided through the project by external specialists
To monitor the delivery of E2B in accordance with the project’s ERDF Funding
Allocation Letter and work closely with the project’s Performance Manager to
ensure that all aspects of the project are compliant and delivered to plan and
within budget.
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To represent E2B on external networks and business focused networks in
particular
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To contribute to a good team spirit and play an active role in helping to deliver the
Newcastle Science City broader strategic objectives.
Dimensions
Reporting to
Head of Business Support at Newcastle Science City and
supervised by the Assistant Director (Entrepreneurial
Development) of Newcastle University’s Careers Service when
appropriate.
Additional reporting will made to an operational management
group comprising representatives of Newcastle University’s
Careers Service and Newcastle Science City.
Staff
N/A
Financial
Manage spend of E2B Budget of £910,000 over three years
Customers/Stakeholders Newcastle Science City staff, the Newcastle University Careers
Service, External and Graduate Entrepreneurs, Regional SMEs
and Managers within Stakeholder organisations
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Skills, Knowledge and
aptitude
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An in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by
potential high growth businesses, the support required to
overcome these challenges to achieve a company’s growth
potential.
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Up-to-date knowledge of graduate employability, enterprise
and entrepreneurship in a Higher Education context.
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Excellent networking and communications skills
underpinned by the presence, self-confidence and
credibility necessary to be an effective ambassador and
advocate for the E2B project.
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The ability to determine the suitability of individual
companies for the E2B project. This necessitates an
understanding of high growth strategies and their
constituent parts.
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The project management skills required to simultaneously
account manage up to 25 participants per annum through
their Customer Journey.
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Technical ability in business development especially for
high-growth potential companies – finance, market
research, financial management/modelling, business
processes.
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Ability to write business plans/cases on behalf of high
growth companies.
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Able to build relationships with and gain respect of a wide
range of stakeholders.
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Very good interpersonal and communication skills both
formal and informal.
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Excellent research and report writing skills.
DESIRED:
Qualifications and
training
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Understanding and ability to manage ERDF funded
projects.
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Knowledge of the Newcastle/North East economic
development context and networks.
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Degree level business education or degree level
qualification with a Management body.
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Training and development in sales/business development
skills.
DESIRED:
Experience
Disposition
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Formal project management training (e.g. Prince 2).
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Extensive experience of working in a private sector
environment preferably at senior management level within
a High Growth business.
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Proven track record in a business development and/or sales
function.
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Demonstrable success of working in collaborative
partnerships with a broad cross section of stakeholders
across the public and private sectors.
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Experience of working in a cross-functional/crossorganisational team with a proven ability to influence
others.
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High levels of personal motivation and ambition.
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Able to work effectively under pressure and with minimal
support.
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Team player able to work in partnership with others to
deliver common goals.
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