Worcestershire Growth Hub (WGH) Account Manager

About us:

Employing Organisation

The employing organisation for this role is the Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce (HWCC). HWCC is a member-led, not for profit organisation working to support local business communities and our large network of Members. Finalists in the World Chambers Competition awarded one of the Sunday Times Best Not-for-Profit Organisations to Work for 2018 – 2021, and accredited at Investors in People Platinum level, these are exciting times to join us.

We are proud to look after our employees, as a Working for Carers member we understand the challenges faced by working carers. We also actively support our cadets, reservists and veterans through our HR policies, and we are committed to the Armed Forces Employers Recognition Scheme with a gold accreditation. We also have a team of Wellbeing Champions who dedicate their spare time to raise awareness and to support the workforce’s wellbeing.

Job introduction:

We now have an exciting opportunity for someone to join the Worcestershire Growth Hub team as an Account Manager. As an Account Manager, you would engage with local businesses to maximise the support they access from local, regional, and national sources. You would also increase engagement between Redditch-based employers and the Redditch Youth Hub to reduce youth unemployment rates in the Borough.

Job Description

Post: Worcestershire Growth Hub (WGH) Account Manager

Reporting to: Worcestershire Growth Hub Manager

Grade: £29,087 pa. pro rata (£35,875 FTE)

Location: Redditch

Working Hours: 30 hours per week

Contract Length: Fixed Term Contract until 31st March 2026

Main responsibilities:

• Develop, prepare and implement a business engagement delivery plan for a specific locality (district(s)) within the county - linked to the WLEP’s Plan for Growth (2020-2040) and over-arching Growth Hub Business engagement plan.
• Work with the Redditch Youth Hub team to increase engagement with local employers, with the aim of reducing youth unemployment – and delivering against local KPIs.
• Research, identify and engage SMEs and key accounts (businesses with 5 employees and more) in allocated geography with wider economic impact linked to the Plan for Growth (PfG).
• Engage with senior contacts at identified businesses and provide high-level account management support, working with the business to navigate and access business support in form of local, regional and national programmes.
• Signpost businesses on either sector specific issues or general business issues and support their journey - easing the navigation of the local business support landscape.
• Ensure all activity is accurately recorded on CRM (Tractivity) with all company data completed in a timely manner and at least two years of financial and workforce history recorded.
• Prepare high quality visit reports, detailing referrals with quantitative outcomes and a complete narrative that conveys how Account Management has helped grow the business following every visit.
• Support the preparation of quarterly locality reports for district partners, detailing key business visits and summary of activity.
• Identify and provide businesses for case-studies on a regular basis.
• Maintain key stakeholder relationships with local, regional and national stakeholders including, DBT, Local Authorities, Universities, Innovate UK, locally-funded business support programmes and various other intermediary organisations.
• Participate in and facilitate business networking events to support lead generation and raise awareness of key local campaigns and support referrals into partners.
• Continually monitor and review the target market and to identify new scale-up businesses for future engagement.
• Co-ordinate and work in co-operation with wider Growth Hub Team.

Ideal Candidate:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent expert experience of developing and delivering account management relationships.
• Strong commercial skills with significant experience working with/for private sector businesses.
• An in-depth understanding of standard business functions including sales & marketing, international trade, finance, PR, human resources and strategic business planning.
• An expert understanding of the vast range of issues facing businesses, including local, regional and national policy.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills and presentation skills with the ability to engage with and communicate effectively with senior business leaders.
• Expert understanding of other key partners and business support organisations and programmes available to businesses including government / public sector funding.
• Results driven with an ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Excellent relationship management and customer satisfaction skills.
• Ability to manage a range of different tasks with proven time management skills and flexibility with regard to working hours.
• Able to work effectively as part of a team, including the ability to positively influence others.
• Flexible and adaptable and willing to work and navigate through a transitional business support landscape.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office systems.

Benefits:

We offer an excellent benefits package which includes: 29 days annual leave (increases with service) plus Bank Holidays, and access to Westfield Health. We also provide a range of work-life balance policies, pension scheme and are an equal opportunities employer. Our employees also have access to extensive training opportunities, onsite parking and annual team building events.

Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce is an equal opportunities employer.

A full job description for this position is available on our website: https://hwchamber.co.uk/about-us/work-for-us/

Application deadline: 30th April 2025

Interviews are expected to take place on: 12th May 2025

Ideal start date: 02nd June 2025 (Subject to DBS process)

Job Type: Fixed term contract

Pay: £35,875.00 per year

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Company pension
• Enhanced maternity leave
• Enhanced paternity leave
• Free flu jabs
• On-site parking
• Paid volunteer time
• Work from home

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 30/04/2025

Reference ID: Worcestershire Growth Hub (WGH) Account Manager

Expected start date: 02/06/2025