At a Glance
- Tasks: Support community businesses to enhance operations and maximise social impact.
- Company: Join a mission-driven organisation focused on community empowerment.
- Benefits: Full-time role with opportunities for personal growth and community engagement.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and inclusion in a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in local communities while building valuable relationships.
- Qualifications: Strong relationship-building skills and a customer-focused mindset.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are looking for a customer-focused individual who is good at building relationships to join us as a Community Business Officer. This role is at the heart of the support we provide to communities across the UK.
The Community Business Officer supports established and trading community businesses to strengthen their operations, improve sustainability, and maximise social impact. This is a proactive role, where your support will help community businesses to identify challenges, access professional advice, and develop resilience, excellent governance, and long-term plans.
You will need to be someone who has brilliant attention to detail and is comfortable keeping accurate records and information up-to-date.
You will have the following knowledge, experience, skills and attributes:
- Relationship focused: you enjoy working with people and are confident building positive, professional relationships. You’re approachable, responsive, and comfortable supporting a wide range of contacts, including community businesses, community groups, voluntary organisations, and small businesses. You work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, sharing information and contributing to a joined-up approach.
- Customer centred: you have experience working with the public and take pride in providing a helpful, friendly service. You listen carefully, respond thoughtfully, and aim to ensure a positive experience for everyone you support.
- Empathetic and patient: you take time to understand the situations and needs of the people you work with, responding with care and without rushing. You remain calm and supportive even when conversations are difficult or complex, and you’re able to read a situation and adjust your approach accordingly.
- 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. You use your own judgement to determine when it is appropriate to escalate matters to your manager.
- 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. You are confident presenting to groups and facilitating discussions or workshops.
- Community minded: you bring an interest in community business and an understanding of community business models and the challenges facing rural communities. You’re curious about how locally rooted enterprises operate and create impact.
- 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. You are able to understand complex information and translate it into clear, accessible advice for a range of audiences.
- Organised and adaptable: you are able to prioritise your workload effectively, managing competing demands on your time without losing focus or quality. You remain calm and productive when juggling multiple tasks or shifting priorities.
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.
We ask that you complete a diversity monitoring form in order to monitor the effectiveness of our policies. The completion of this form is voluntary.
Community Business Officer in Woodstock employer: Plunkett Foundation
As a Community Business Officer at our Woodstock, Oxfordshire office, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to empowering community businesses across the UK. We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive work culture that values collaboration, professional growth, and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. With opportunities for personal development and a focus on making a meaningful social impact, we offer an enriching environment for those passionate about community engagement and sustainable business practices.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Business Officer in Woodstock
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company culture! Before your interview, do a bit of research on their values and community initiatives. This will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your relationship-building skills! Since this role is all about connecting with people, think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully built relationships. Be ready to share these stories during your interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your problem-solving skills! Prepare to discuss how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. Think about specific situations where you provided solutions or support, especially in community-focused settings.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a great way to reinforce your interest in the role and keep you top of mind for the hiring team.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Business Officer in Woodstock
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your People Skills:Since this role is all about building relationships, make sure to highlight your experience working with different people. Share examples of how you've supported community businesses or groups in the past, and don’t forget to mention any positive feedback you’ve received!
Be Customer-Centric:We love candidates who put customers first! In your application, talk about times when you went above and beyond to help someone. This shows us that you understand the importance of providing a friendly and helpful service.
Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills:This role requires a proactive approach to challenges. Include specific examples of how you've tackled problems in the past, especially in community settings. We want to see your ability to think on your feet and come up with effective solutions!
Keep It Organised and Clear:Attention to detail is key for this position. Make sure your application is well-structured and free from errors. Use clear language and bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read. And remember, applying through our website is the best way to get your application in front of us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Plunkett Foundation
✨Know Your Community Business
Before the interview, take some time to research community businesses and their challenges. Understanding the specific needs of these organisations will help you demonstrate your knowledge and passion for the role, making it clear that you're the right fit.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully built relationships with clients or colleagues. Highlight how you approached these interactions and the positive outcomes that resulted, as this role is all about connecting with people.
✨Be Ready to Problem Solve
Think of a few scenarios where you faced challenges in previous roles and how you resolved them. This will show your proactive nature and ability to handle complex situations, which is crucial for a Community Business Officer.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing your experience with community businesses. Being able to adapt your communication style to different audiences will be key, so consider how you can demonstrate this during the interview.
