Internal Applicants Only - Business Development Officer

We are looking for a talented and experienced Business Development Officer to join a dynamic team within one of the biggest and best Business Schools in the UK. This post will support the Cardiff Business School team in the proactive recruitment and successful on-boarding of Small and Medium-size Enterprises (SMEs) for upcoming cohorts of the Help to Grow: Management course. This exciting and varied role involves working closely with the Business Manager and the academic Programme Director to deliver this government-backed initiative, designed to enhance management skills and drive business growth within UK SMEs. Cardiff Business School has recently achieved a 5-year re-accreditation of its Small Business Charter, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the SME community. The Help to Grow: Management programme plays a crucial role in helping SMEs thrive and aligns strongly with the School's Public Value mission.,

• Assist in the development and execution of strategies to engage and recruit SMEs for the "Help to Grow Management" course run by Cardiff University. This includes using independent judgment to identify target businesses and relevant external events, such as industry conferences and networking opportunities, which represent the University well. The role also involves proactively engaging with stakeholders to promote the program and build connections.
• Act as the first point of contact for SME enquiries, providing clear and accurate information about the course, and guiding them through the enrolment process, ensuring that complex and conceptual issues are understood and that Cardiff University is presented in a positive light.
• Support the organisation of promotional events, webinars, and informational sessions aimed at raising awareness and encouraging participation in the programme.
• Maintain and update participant records using CRM tools, ensuring accurate tracking of engagement and enrolment activities, and proactively following up with potential participants after external events.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with SME leaders and managers and other key stakeholders, ensuring ongoing engagement with the programme. Be proactive in seeking out external stakeholder events to build and strengthen these relationships.
• Assist in the preparation of reports, marketing materials, and other documentation as required to support the recruitment process, ensuring all materials highlight Cardiff University's strengths and positive reputation.
• Gather and record feedback from participants and stakeholders to contribute to the continuous improvement of the recruitment process and course delivery. Investigate and analyse specific issues, using feedback from external events to make proactive changes, refine outreach and engagement strategies.
General Duties
• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
• Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role, such as attending additional external events and representing the university in various forums.
  
  We are looking for a team player who will work with colleagues to provide a great service to staff and students. You don't need to have worked for a University before; this is an opportunity to show your potential and start or continue your career at Cardiff University.
This role may be an opportunity for you to build on your experience from working in a previous administrative role or environment with particular interest in an editorial role showing your transferable skills and aptitude to be successful in the role. You should be enthusiastic about developing your knowledge and skills to become a valued member of the team., 1. Degree/NVQ 4 or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field, such as business administration or marketing., 2. Experience in a customer-facing role, preferably involving business engagement and development, outreach, sales or customer recruitment activities. 3. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively, with a focus on detail and accuracy. 4. Competence in using Microsoft Office applications and CRM systems for data management and communication. Customer Service, Communication and Team Working 5. Ability to work effectively as part of a team, contributing to collective goals and supporting colleagues as needed. 6. Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate detailed and complex information effectively, and build rapport with a wide range of individuals. 7. Evidence of ability to explore customers' needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered. Planning, Analysis and Problem solving 8. Ability to identify and solve expansive problems using initiative and creativity, identifying and proposing practical solutions and resolving problems with range of potential outcomes 9. Evidence of ability to work unsupervised to deadlines, planning and setting priorities for own work and that of others and monitoring progress., 10. Understanding of the challenges faced by SMEs and the potential benefits of management development programs. 11. Experience of working in a Higher Education environment. 12. Fluency in Welsh, written and oral.

Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements. Cardiff Business School is particularly looking to recruit from under-represented groups within the School., Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English., Cardiff Business School is a leading business and management school in the UK, holding AACSB and AMBA accreditations and ranked 1st for its Research Environment and 2nd on Research Power (REF2021). The School has a Public Value purpose and focuses on the co-creation of high quality, interdisciplinary education and knowledge that delivers economic, social and environmental value. The School's activities are oriented towards five Grand Challenges: Decent work, fair and sustainable economies, future organisations, good governance, and responsible innovation.