At a Glance
- Tasks: Support community-owned businesses, enhance operations, and maximise social impact.
- Company: National charity dedicated to empowering rural communities through business ownership.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Flexible, dynamic work environment with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Join a mission-driven team and help build resilient rural communities.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills, customer service experience, and a passion for community business.
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time
Location: Office based, Woodstock, Oxfordshire
Salary: £27,976 – £36,328 per annum
Our client is looking for a Community Business Officer (Trading) to support a network of community-owned businesses across the UK.
About the employer
This organisation is a national charity supporting people in rural areas to set up and run successful businesses in community ownership. They do this to achieve a 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 the 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.
The successful candidate should have the following knowledge, experience, skills and attributes:
- 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 this organisation and be part of a national charity supporting resilient, thriving and inclusive rural communities.
Closing date for applications: 5pm on Friday 3 July 2026
Interview date: During week commencing 13 July 2026
Interested? Please click the job board apply button to be taken to the next stage. There you can find out more information and complete your application by following the instructions (you may need to scroll down).
The organisation is committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and their approach goes beyond ‘protected characteristics’ to thinking more broadly about inclusion. Every individual will think and feel differently and the organisation believes that these differences should be embraced, and individual needs taken into account. Additionally, the makeup of the rural communities they work with leads to their own particular diversity and exclusion challenges and opportunities compared to urban areas. Their commitment to EDI, both internally and externally, has been tailored to the organisation and the communities they serve.
Community Business Officer (Trading) employer: CHM-1
Join a national charity dedicated to fostering resilient and inclusive rural communities as a Community Business Officer (Trading) in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. This role offers a supportive work culture that values empathy, collaboration, and community engagement, providing ample opportunities for personal and professional growth. With a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, the organisation ensures that every employee feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Business Officer (Trading)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research their mission and values, especially their commitment to community business and rural communities. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn to get insider info about the role and the team. This can give you valuable insights and even a potential referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to community engagement and problem-solving. Think of examples from your past experiences that highlight your relationship-building skills and proactive approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and supporting rural communities.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Business Officer (Trading)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know the Role:Before you start writing, take a good look at the job description. Understand what a Community Business Officer (Trading) does and how your skills match up. This will help you tailor your application to show us why you're the perfect fit!
Be Personable:This role is all about building relationships, so let your personality shine through in your application. Share experiences that highlight your people skills and how you've made a positive impact in previous roles. We want to see the real you!
Show Your Community Spirit:Since this position focuses on community business, make sure to express your passion for rural communities and social impact. Share any relevant experiences or projects that demonstrate your commitment to making a difference. We love seeing that community-minded attitude!
Apply Through Our Website:When you're ready to submit your application, make sure to do it through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important details. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at CHM-1
✨Know the Community Business Landscape
Before your interview, dive deep into the world of community businesses and rural challenges. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs and successes of community-owned businesses in the UK. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you articulate how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Since this role is all about building strong relationships, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully engaged with diverse groups. Think about times when you’ve provided exceptional customer service or resolved conflicts, as these stories will highlight your relationship-focused approach.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you tackled them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, showcasing your proactive and solution-focused mindset that aligns with the organisation's goals.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, as effective communication is key for this position. Whether it’s through mock interviews or casual chats with friends, focus on adapting your tone and style to suit different audiences, which will demonstrate your communicative adaptability during the actual interview.
