At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead business support services for startups and established businesses in Sheffield.
- Company: Join Business Sheffield, a team dedicated to helping businesses thrive through expert advice and workshops.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working arrangements and generous holiday entitlement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on Sheffield's economy while working in a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Seeking leaders with strategic insight and emotional intelligence in business support.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from under-represented groups.
The predicted salary is between 47800 - 61000 £ per year.
REQ00003032 – Service Manager
Closing date: 25/02/2025
Grade 11 £55,994 – £61,321
Service Manager – Business Sheffield
We are seeking a passionate and dedicated professional to manage the operational delivery of business support for Business Sheffield. As a key member of the Economy, Skills, and Culture leadership team, you will lead the development and delivery of services that provide outstanding support to individuals starting new businesses as well as to established businesses in Sheffield.
About Business Sheffield
Business Sheffield supports businesses of all kinds, helping them establish, grow, and achieve their full potential through expert Business Advisors, a free workshop programme delivered by industry specialists and funding and networking opportunities. We support individuals and businesses in:
- Starting up and attracting investment
- Specialist tech start up and scale up advice including a pre accelerator tech programme TechForge
- Setting up efficient business processes
- Enhancing productivity and profitability
- Adopting low-carbon and sustainable practices
- Survival and growth on the high street
All this is underpinned by our Gateway Team, which delivers exceptional customer service and manages our workshop programme and events.
The Business Sheffield team operates from Electric Works in Sheffield city centre, delivering face-to-face appointments, networking events, and workshops. We are proud to have transformed the way we deliver business support in recent years, focusing on engaging with diverse communities and existing business networks across the city. Our efforts have been recognised, including the Sheffield Chamber Business Awards’ Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Champion accolade.
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity to join Sheffield City Council at a pivotal time. You’ll play a central role in delivering the new City Futures Growth Plan, expanding existing projects, and commissioning new initiatives. Your responsibilities will include managing business support programmes, including the management of employed Business Advisors and teams of specialist consultants, integrating services and ensuring value for money.
You’ll need to inspire and influence internal teams, partners, and stakeholders to adopt a collaborative approach that strengthens support for businesses across the city. This role requires someone with strategic insight, tactical problem-solving abilities, and emotional intelligence to build relationships across the council, businesses, national agencies, and the voluntary and community sector.
Why Join Us?
- Be part of a leadership team committed to Sheffield’s growth and ambitions.
- Work on diverse, meaningful business support projects that make a real impact.
- Benefit from a flexible working environment.
Our Commitment to Equality and Inclusion
We are committed to ensuring our services and workplace are accessible, diverse, and inclusive. We actively work to increase the diversity of our workforce, particularly welcoming applications from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled, and LGBTQ+ individuals to better reflect the communities we serve. As a Disability Confident employer, we also support flexible working arrangements for staff with unpaid caring responsibilities.
Join Us
If you’re a leader and expert in the business support field, ready to inspire teams and drive progress, we want to hear from you. This is a politically restricted post. Full-time employees work 37 hours per week, 52 weeks a year.
Take the next step in your career and help us shape Sheffield’s business future. Apply today!
For an informal conversation about the role contact Yvonne Asquith, Head of Business Sheffield on
We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.
Under the Disability Confident Scheme, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.
If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.
Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.
Service Manager employer: Sheffield City Council
Contact Detail:
Sheffield City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the City Futures Growth Plan and Business Sheffield's current projects. Understanding these initiatives will help you demonstrate your strategic insight during discussions and interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with local business leaders and stakeholders in Sheffield. Building relationships within the community can provide valuable insights and show your commitment to supporting local businesses.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight your experience in managing teams and delivering business support programs. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've inspired and influenced teams to achieve collaborative goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your emotional intelligence and problem-solving skills. Prepare to share instances where you've successfully navigated challenges and built strong relationships with diverse stakeholders.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Service Manager position. Understand the key responsibilities and required skills, such as strategic insight and emotional intelligence, to tailor your application accordingly.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your experience in managing business support programs and leading teams. Provide specific examples of how you've inspired collaboration and delivered successful outcomes in previous roles.
Showcase Your Commitment to Diversity: Given the emphasis on equality, diversity, and inclusion in the job description, make sure to highlight any relevant experiences or initiatives you have been involved in that demonstrate your commitment to these values.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also conveys your passion for supporting businesses and communities. Mention how you can contribute to Sheffield's growth and the specific projects mentioned in the job description.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sheffield City Council
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the Service Manager role and its responsibilities. Familiarize yourself with Business Sheffield's mission and the specific services they provide to businesses in the area.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your leadership abilities, especially in managing teams and inspiring collaboration. Highlight any experience you have in strategic planning and problem-solving within a business support context.
✨Emphasize Your Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Given the organization's focus on equality and inclusion, be ready to discuss how you have promoted diversity in previous roles. Share specific initiatives or strategies you've implemented to engage diverse communities.
✨Prepare Questions for the Interviewers
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could include inquiries about the City Futures Growth Plan, current challenges faced by Business Sheffield, or how they measure the success of their business support programs.