Business Engagement and Grants Officer

You will be part of the Economic Development team, which sits within the broader Policy & Performance service area. The Economic Development team supports the vitality, resilience and long-term success of Elmbridge's economy, with a particular focus on independent businesses, SMEs and our town and village centre high streets. The team leads projects and partnerships that strengthen local centres, improve the trading environment, support business growth and deliver targeted grant programmes.

The main purpose of the role:

• Strengthen Elmbridge's town and village centre high streets through hands-on business engagement and direct outreach to independent businesses and SMEs.
• Promote, administer and deliver over £100,000 of business-facing grants, supporting shopfront improvements, empty unit activation, online trading support, energy efficiency measures and outdoor seating projects.
• Build strong relationships with independent high-street businesses, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), chambers of commerce, traders associations and business groups.
• Provide clear, accessible support and signposting to other council services to help businesses thrive.
• Contribute to wider projects and initiatives that improve the trading environment and strengthen Elmbridge's high streets.

Specific duties and responsibilities:

This is not a comprehensive list of all the tasks which may be required of the post holder. It is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the work to be undertaken. This job description may therefore be amended in consultation with the postholder.

• Be a visible and proactive presence across Elmbridge's high streets, regularly walking town and village centres and confidently stepping into independent retail, hospitality, leisure and service businesses to offer support.
• Build strong, trusted relationships with independent business owners, SMEs, traders, BIDs, chambers of commerce and business groups.
• Work with the Communications team to develop and publish business-grants communications, including newsletters, website content, social media and promotional campaigns.
• Act as a first point of contact for business grants and signpost wider council services such as planning, licensing, environmental health, waste and business rates.
• Collaborate with internal teams including Planning, Environmental Health, Licensing, Property Services, Parking and Communications to provide joined-up support for businesses.
• Represent the Council at business meetings, workshops, networking events and town-centre stakeholder sessions.

Grants and funding administration:

• Deliver and help administer Elmbridge's high-street grants programme, supporting the distribution of over £100,000 to independent businesses and SMEs.
• Provide hands-on support to businesses applying for funding, including proposals for shopfront and signage improvements, bringing empty units back into use, online-trading support, energy-efficiency measures and outdoor seating for cafés and restaurants.
• Manage the full lifecycle of grant administration: eligibility checks, assessment, decision documentation, grant agreements, compliance monitoring and payment processing.
• Maintain accurate, audit-ready grant records and ensure delivery aligns with grant criteria and terms and conditions.
• Prepare monitoring reports, evaluations and case studies to demonstrate impact.

Key requirements:

• Education to A-Level or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Training or qualifications in business support, economic development or project administration.
• Experience in business engagement or grants administration or customer-facing business support.
• Experience managing administrative processes, documentation or financial/grant records.
• Experience working with or supporting independent businesses or SMEs.
• Experience liaising with multiple stakeholders such as BIDs, traders groups or business associations.