About The Role

We are seeking a proactive and passionate Business Advisor to support the delivery of high-quality business advice & support across the district as part of the Gloucestershire Growth Hub Network.

This is a dynamic, customer-facing role where you will act as the first point of contact for local businesses, helping them access the advice, funding, and support they need to grow and succeed. You’ll work closely with a wide range of stakeholders, deliver outreach activities, and play a key role in strengthening the local business community. Some of your responsibilities:

Act as the first point of contact for all business support enquiries via the Growth Hub and Business Navigator network in the Forest of Dean

Develop and deliver an outreach plan to promote Growth Hub services across the Forest of Dean

Engage with a diverse range of businesses, including start-ups, SMEs, farmers, and professional services, supporting them throughout their funded journey, including follow-ups and reporting

Identify business needs through meetings, calls, and consultations, and provide tailored advice and support

Organise and deliver events, workshops, and networking sessions across the district

Build strong relationships with local stakeholders including BizSpace, Gloucestershire College, and Hartpury University

Within the District, there are plenty of places to see and visit whether you love hiking or cycling. With our agile working ethos: you will be spoilt for choice.

You will need…

Experience in business support, advisory, or customer-facing roles

Experience working with start-ups or SMEs

Strong communication and relationship-building skills

Ability to manage a varied caseload and meet deadlines

Problem-solving skills with the ability to handle complex situations

GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English (Grade C/4 or above)

Special Conditions…

Ability to travel and a Full UK Driving License

You will be expected to work reasonable additional hours in line with the needs of the service

There may be a requirement to work at other locations to meet the needs of the business.

For more information about this role please see the Job Description/Person Specification.

What we can do for you

Agile working allowing a mix of home and office working

Flexible working arrangements (depending on the role)

27 days paid annual leave (pro rata if you are working part time) plus bank holidays, which increases to 30 days after five years of service

In addition you will have an extra two volunteering days a year for you to support a charity of your choice

Renewed again for another year there is a Health cash plan giving you cash back on health, dental and eye care

Generous contributory local government pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, providing positive, preventative and supportive advice and counselling to deal with everyday events and issues

Cycle to work scheme

Salary sacrifice car lease scheme with significant tax and NI savings to be made on electric cars

Generous sickness cover above statutory entitlements

About Us

Forest of Dean District Council is dedicated to creating a vibrant and sustainable future for our community. Our priorities are centred on fostering thriving communities by empowering and engaging residents, enhancing infrastructure, promoting community well-being, and ensuring social equity.

We are committed to decarbonisation and nature recovery, focusing on renewable energy transitions, energy efficiency, transport transformation, nature recovery, and food resilience. Additionally, we strive to build a sustainable economy through the promotion of a circular economy, robust business support, workforce skill development, sustainable town initiatives, and the preservation of natural capital.

Accredited of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies - Please state this within your covering statement or in a separate email.

Forest of Dean District Council is committed to meeting its statutory and moral duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people under 18 years of age and adults at risk who are the recipients of its services and/or activities.

Safer recruitment practices are applied to all job vacancies. Successful candidates will be required to complete a pre-employment medical questionnaire; provide references; proof of identity; nationality and immigration status; three years’ employment or education history (if applicable) and, in some cases, verification of criminal record.