Business Investment Officer

Fixed term contract to 31.03.2029

Who We Are & What We Stand For

Do you want to help make Gateshead a place where everyone thrives? If that sounds like you, keep reading - we might be the perfect match. We’re delighted that you’re interested in working with us. You’d be joining us at a very exciting time. We pride ourselves on our ambitious and forward-thinking approach to taking care of Gateshead and its people, and we passionately believe that our employees reflect that spirit in truly enabling Gateshead to thrive. At Gateshead Council you’d be a highly valued member of a team that recognises and respects the skills that you bring to your role, encourages creativity and passionately advocates a great work / life balance. Our actions speak louder than words, and with flexi-time and hybrid working available across many of our roles, as well as a full suite of outstanding employee benefits, we’re confident that it isn’t just the salary that attracts our staff.

Supporting business growth and investment across Gateshead

The Business, Employment and Skills service sits within the Council’s Economy, Innovation and Growth Group and plays a vital role in supporting local economic development. The team works with businesses of all sizes, inward investors and key partners to promote Gateshead as a place to invest, grow and innovate. Through targeted advice, funded programmes and strong partnerships, the service supports business sustainability, job creation and inclusive economic growth across the borough.

Connecting businesses to opportunity, investment and support

As a Business Investment Officer, you will work directly with new and existing businesses and inward investors to support growth, investment and job creation in Gateshead. The role is outwardfacing and relationshipdriven, combining business engagement with programme delivery, intelligence gathering and partnership working. You will help ensure businesses can access the right support at the right time, while contributing to wider economic development priorities and the promotion of the borough as an attractive location for investment.

What You Will Get To Do

• Engage directly with businesses across the borough, developing strong, trusted relationships to understand their challenges, ambitions and investment plans
• Carry out effective factfinding and diagnostic discussions with businesses to identify needs, opportunities and appropriate support or intervention
• Diagnose and respond to business needs, providing tailored advice, guidance and signposting to relevant programmes, partners and services
• Manage and maintain productive stakeholder and partner relationships, including business support providers, universities, sector bodies, government organisations and commercial property professionals
• Provide highquality information, advice and support to new start, existing businesses and inward investors in Gateshead
• Contribute to the development, delivery and management of business growth programmes, projects and interventions, ensuring appropriate data and records are maintained to meet funding requirements
• Work closely with colleagues across Council services to ensure a coordinated and effective response to businesses, fully integrated with wider economic development activity
• Support initiatives that promote Gateshead as a business investment location
• Develop and maintain knowledge of key sectors and the wider economic and innovation landscape, including local, regional and national factors affecting businesses
• Gather, share and record business and economic intelligence to inform policy development and decisionmaking
• Maintain accurate clerical and electronic records, supporting performance monitoring and reporting to key partners
• Prepare reports, briefings and updates as required
• Travel independently across the borough to engage with businesses, partners and stakeholders as needed
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade of the post

What You Will Bring

• Strong knowledge of local economic conditions, the challenges businesses face, and the factors that influence business decisionmaking
• Understanding of national and regional enterprise, business and startup support, including business finance, legal structures and management processes
• Experience of engaging with businesses, building and managing effective working relationships and influencing investment decisions
• A high level of commercial awareness, with the ability to identify key business issues and opportunities
• The ability to work collaboratively with partners to achieve shared economic outcomes
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, reportwriting and presentation skills, with a strong customerfocused approach
• A relevant degree or professional qualification, or equivalent experience, and the ability to work to deadlines with minimal supervision

What’s In It For You

Competitive Salary: We offer fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience. Outstanding Pension Scheme: We don’t just offer a great salary we invest in your future too. Find out what benefits a Local Government Pension provides: https://twpf.info Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (2 of which can be fixed by the Council), plus the option to buy up to 10 extra days. Flexible Working Hours: Benefit from up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs), giving you more control over your time. Hybrid & Flexible Working: We support a healthy work-life balance with flexible and hybrid working options. There is a requirement for a minimum of 40% of your time to be office based. Learning & Development: Access a wide range of training, development, and progression opportunities to help you grow your career. Health & Wellbeing Support: From discounted gym memberships through our partner GLL to mental health resources, we care about your wellbeing. Cycle to Work Scheme: Save money and stay active with our tax-efficient cycle to work programme. Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: Get behind the wheel of a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle through our salary sacrifice car scheme in partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions a cost-effective, environmentally friendly way to drive (after 12 months service). Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: Through our VIVUP employee benefits platform, enjoy discounts on shopping, travel, and services plus salary sacrifice options on white goods, electronics, and more, helping you spread the cost of essential purchases (after 6 months service).

Our commitment to you

We are an equal opportunities employer and aim to have a culture and a workplace where our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected and empowered to do their best work. We know that we deliver better services when our workforce reflects the full range of backgrounds and experiences in the society we serve. We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation

How To Apply

You can apply online using the apply now button below. Within the form, you’ll be asked for details about you, your career history, skills, experiences and qualifications. We advise you to be as detailed and specific as possible, paying particular attention to any of the above which are relevant to the role to which you are applying. When Writing Your Statement, Please Use the key responsibilities and essential criteria listed in the advert to guide your response. Give clear, specific examples that show how you have demonstrated these skills or responsibilities in previous roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or simply explain: what you did, how you did it, and what difference it made. If you have any questions about your application, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our recruitment team via Please note: As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. However, in high-volume recruitment situations, it may not always be practicable to interview every eligible candidate. In such cases, we may need to prioritise those who best meet the essential criteria, based on the information provided in the application. Additionally, the Council reserves the right to close this vacancy early or adjust the shortlisting criteria, including the pass mark for interview selection, to ensure a fair and manageable recruitment process. We encourage early applications.