At a Glance
- Tasks: Support community-owned businesses and enhance their operations for social impact.
- Company: Join Plunkett UK, a charity dedicated to thriving rural communities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and a chance to make a difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to empower rural communities and foster sustainable businesses.
- Qualifications: Strong relationship-building skills and a passion for community development.
The predicted salary is between 27976 - 36328 £ per year.
Plunkett UK is looking for a Community Business Officer (Trading) to support a network of community-owned businesses across the UK.
About Us
Plunkett UK, the operational name for Plunkett Foundation, is a national charity supporting people in rural areas to set up and run successful businesses in community ownership. We do this to achieve our UK-wide vision for resilient, thriving and inclusive rural communities.
About the Role
In this proactive, people-focused role, you’ll work closely with established community businesses to strengthen their operations, improve sustainability, and maximise social impact. You’ll provide direct support, coordinate access to specialist advice, and build strong relationships to understand each group’s needs and challenges. You’ll also support membership engagement, contribute to events and communications, and maintain accurate data to ensure high-quality support across our network. Working as part of a collaborative team, you’ll help deliver a responsive and effective service to community businesses. This role is ideal for someone organised, empathetic and confident communicating with a wide range of people, with a strong interest in community business and rural communities.
Qualifications
- Relationship‑focused: you enjoy working with people and are confident building positive, professional relationships.
- Customer‑centred: you have experience working with the public and take pride in providing a helpful, friendly service.
- Empathetic and patient: you take time to understand the situations and needs of the people you work with, responding with care and without rushing.
- Proactive and confident: you take initiative, approach tasks positively, and are comfortable acting independently within your role. You're confident engaging with others, raising issues when needed, and following things through to completion.
- Communicative: you're a confident and clear communicator, comfortable managing multiple interactions by phone, email, video call and in person. You adapt your tone and approach to suit different people and situations.
- Community‑minded: you bring an interest in community business and an understanding of community business models and the challenges facing rural communities.
- Tech comfortable: you have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and are confident using everyday digital tools to stay organised. Experience of using CRM systems — particularly Salesforce — is an advantage, and you're comfortable keeping accurate records and information up to date.
- Problem‑solving: you're practical and solution‑focused, able to think issues through, handle queries calmly, and find effective responses when challenges arise.
- Organised and adaptable: you are able to prioritise your workload effectively, managing competing demands on your time without losing focus or quality.
Join Plunkett UK and be part of a national charity supporting resilient, thriving and inclusive rural communities.
Closing date for applications: 5pm on Friday 3 July 2026. Please submit your final application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment. Interview date: During week commencing 13 July 2026.
Interested? If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.
We are committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and our approach goes beyond ‘protected characteristics’ to thinking more broadly about inclusion. Every individual will think and feel differently and we believe that these differences should be embraced, and individual needs taken into account. Additionally, the makeup of the rural communities we work with leads to their own particular diversity and exclusion challenges and opportunities compared to urban areas. Our commitment to EDI, both internally and externally, has been tailored to Plunkett and the communities we serve.
How to apply
To read the full job description and submit your application, please visit the link below: Click here to apply. Applications cannot be made through the Blind Ambition Recruitment platform for this role.
Community Business Officer (Trading) in Woodstock employer: Blind Ambition
Plunkett UK is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering resilient and inclusive rural communities. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, our collaborative work culture encourages innovation and personal development while providing meaningful support to community-owned businesses. Located in the picturesque Woodstock, Oxfordshire, we offer a supportive environment where your contributions directly impact the lives of others, making every day at Plunkett UK both rewarding and fulfilling.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Business Officer (Trading) in Woodstock
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Plunkett UK. Understand their mission and values, especially around community business and rural development. This will help you connect better during the conversation.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your people skills! Since this role is all about building relationships, think of examples from your past where you've successfully engaged with others. Be ready to share these stories to show off your relationship-focused approach.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your problem-solving chops! Be prepared to discuss how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. Think of specific situations where you found effective solutions, especially in community or customer-focused settings.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email. It’s a nice touch that shows your appreciation and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role!
We think you need these skills to ace Community Business Officer (Trading) in Woodstock
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your passion for community business and rural communities.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role. We’re looking for someone who understands the challenges of community businesses, so show us how you fit the bill!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves a lot of interaction with people, it’s important to demonstrate your communication skills in your application. Use clear and concise language, and don’t forget to adapt your tone to match the friendly vibe we love at Plunkett UK.
Apply Early:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application! We encourage you to apply as soon as possible through our website to avoid any last-minute hiccups. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blind Ambition
✨Know Your Community Business
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding community businesses and their unique challenges. Familiarise yourself with Plunkett UK's mission and how they support rural communities. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and align your answers with their values.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Skills
Since this role is all about building relationships, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully engaged with diverse groups. Highlight your ability to empathise and communicate effectively, as these are key traits they’re looking for.
✨Be Proactive in Problem-Solving
Think of specific instances where you've tackled challenges head-on. Be ready to discuss how you approached these situations, what solutions you implemented, and the outcomes. This will showcase your proactive nature and problem-solving skills, which are crucial for the role.
✨Prepare Questions That Matter
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Prepare thoughtful queries about their community engagement strategies or how they measure social impact. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and your commitment to contributing positively to their mission.
