Business Development Officer

Are you an experienced Economic Development professional looking to make a real impact on local skills, employability and business growth?

We're recruiting for a Business Development Officer - Skills to join a forward-thinking Economic Development team, supporting the delivery of innovative employability, workforce and business growth initiatives across the borough.

This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated professional to work closely with employers, education providers, government departments and key stakeholders to help shape future workforce development and create meaningful opportunities for local communities.

The Role
As Business Development Officer - Skills, you will:

• Lead and deliver skills and employability initiatives in partnership with local stakeholders and employers.
• Support the development and coordination of a Local Labour Market Partnership and associated action plans.
• Engage directly with businesses to identify workforce needs, skills gaps and funding opportunities.
• Develop and manage externally funded programmes and ensure compliance with funding requirements.
• Coordinate workshops, business engagement events and employability initiatives.
• Support the delivery of wider economic development projects, including Belfast Region City Deal initiatives.
• Prepare reports, monitoring information and programme evaluations to measure impact and outcomes.
• Build strong relationships with government departments, education providers, training organisations and local businesses.
• Assist with funding applications, project development and partnership initiatives.
• Support marketing and promotional activity aligned to economic development programmes.

You will work collaboratively across a wide range of stakeholders, helping to drive economic growth, workforce development and long-term employability outcomes.

Essential Criteria
Applicants should demonstrate:

• A degree level qualification (or equivalent) OR significant relevant experience in economic development.
• Experience working across a range of economic development activities.
• Experience developing or delivering skills and/or employability initiatives.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of funding programmes and grant administration processes.
• A full UK driving licence or access to suitable transport.
• Flexibility to attend evening meetings and events where required.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience managing externally funded programmes.
• Experience working with local government, business support or partnership initiatives.
• Experience monitoring and evaluating programme outcomes.

To speak in absolute confidence about this opportunity, please send an up-to-date CV via the link provided or contact Samantha Boles for a confidential discussion.

This position may be subject to appropriate pre-employment checks.

We are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.

If this role isn't quite right for you, we may have other economic development and business support opportunities available - get in touch to find out more.