Business Innovation Advisors - Fixed Term until 31.03.25

As a Business Innovation Advisor (BIA), you'll be instrumental in guiding businesses towards creative solutions, fostering a culture of innovation, and identifying growth opportunities. This role is funded through the GM FE Innovation Programme, offering a dynamic environment where your insights can shape the future of our community.

You will engage with all types of employers small and large in our borough, to understand their goals challenges and aspirations. Providing tailored advice and guidance so that businesses can navigate the innovation ecosystem, and you will connect them with the specialist support to develop robust innovation strategies and solutions.

This dynamic role evolves alongside our growing knowledge and understanding of 'what works'. You will need to work collaboratively across GM and share the lessons you are learning to inform future strategies for ‘place based innovation’ and industrial strategy.

Here’s the exciting bit: You’ll be engaging with employers in our borough to understand their goals, challenges, and aspirations. Provide tailored advice and support to businesses, connecting them with training provision that can increase productivity, and specialist business support from within the innovation ecosystem. Whilst staying abreast of market trends and industry best practices to inform innovative recommendations. Conduct comprehensive business diagnostic reviews and leverage analytical tools to identify growth opportunities. Organise workshops and sessions to stimulate creative thinking and problem-solving, including use of Design Sprints and business canvas tools. Evaluate and guide on innovative ideas based on feasibility, potential impact, and alignment with local business needs. Offer guidance on leveraging emerging technologies and digital tools to enhance operational efficiency and drive business growth. Identify opportunities for automation, data analytics, and other technology-driven solutions, facilitating access to relevant support services. Campion a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within businesses, encouraging openness to change and new ideas.

In order to be successful in this role you’ll need: Proven experience in business advisory roles, preferably with a focus on innovation and growth. Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret market trends effectively. Excellent communication and facilitation abilities, with a knack for inspiring creativity and collaboration. Familiarity with digital tools and technologies relevant to business innovation. A passion for driving positive change and fostering a culture of innovation within the business community and further education.

Benefits: - As a support colleague you’ll go into the Local Government Pensions scheme and enjoy some really great benefit’s as well, 33 days annual leave (not including B/H there on top) Free on site Gym at Beaufort Road, Beauty treatments and haircuts, Health care cash plan via Simply Health, saving clubs via Manchester Credit Union, Cycle to work. Costa Coffee on site, Onsite bakery products at Tameside One, The Restaurant at Tameside One, Retail discounts, Refectories on all sites.

Funded by Innovate UK through the Further Education Innovation Fund (FEIF). This role is one of ten BIAs across Greater Manchester and will be employed by Tameside College.

...As a new post within the FE system, funded through the GM FE Innovation Programme, this will be a dynamic role that evolves as we grow our knowledge and understanding of ‘what works’.

About us: Tameside College has an excellent reputation and this is a real opportunity for you to make a difference in people’s lives. We’re based in Ashton-Under-Lyne Greater Manchester in a diverse and vibrant further education college that offers a wide range of course including A level and advanced level vocational study programmes, Apprenticeships and adult courses up to degree Level. We aim to give all our students an exceptional experience.

We believe in excellence and we back that up with high expectations, a superb working environment (as part of the Vision Tameside £100 million+ accommodation strategy) and outstanding teaching. We also believe that attending college is about more than achieving a qualification, important though that is. This is why we aim to give learners every opportunity to develop their full potential in a supportive and friendly environment.

Subject to volume of applications, we may decide to close the vacancy early.

Come join us on our journey to outstanding!

Training for these positions will be held at the end of April 2024.

Further details can be found in the attached Job Description and Person Specification

Recruitment Agencies: We are not utilising the service of recruitment agencies for this vacancy and will accept direct applications only. Any CV’s forwarded for this vacancy will be treated as a gift and not subject to your terms and conditions.

If your application is successful, your personal data may be used for a pre-employment screening check by a third party as permitted by applicable law. Depending on the vacancy and applicable laws, a pre-employment screening could include employment history, education, and other information (such as media information) that may be necessary for determining your qualifications and suitability for the role.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment.

Any appointments will be subject to enhanced DBS checks and a check of the DfE Barred List

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation Act 1974. It is an offence to apply for the role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children and vulnerable adults.