Business Incubation Specialist - Academic ServicesGrade 8
Business Incubation Specialist - Academic ServicesGrade 8
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£ 46735 - 55755
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Position Details
Academic Services
Location: University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range 46735 to 55755 with potential progression once in post to 62728. As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 8 salary 52566.
Full Time Permanent
Closing date: 11th May 2025
Our offer to you
People are at the heart of what we are and do.
The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years andweare equally proud to be recognised as a leading global want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond support them to succeed and celebrate their success.
We are committed to helping the people who work here todevelopthrough our sectorleading Birmingham Professional programmewhichprovides allprofessionalservices staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full almost 5000professionalservices jobs in a widerange of functionsin Edgbaston andin our campus inDubai there are plenty of opportunities foryou to be able to develop yourcareer at the University.
We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas innovation and warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we areand how we work.
Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees andtothe success of the University and depending on the role we offer avarietyof flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible addition you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 dayspaid holidaya year one paid day a year for volunteering occupational sick pay and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.
The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus including main bus routes and a train station on campus we have a stateoftheart sports centre with pool shopsplaces to eat and drinkour own art gallery museum and botanical gardens.
Find out more about thebenefits of working for the Universityof Birmingham
Background
Part of Academic Services this role is located within the Careers Network team which exists to help students and graduates realise the potential of their University of Birmingham experience and degree helping them to positively shape the world around them. The team comprises circa 60 staff across several specialist areas supporting employability enterprise and entrepreneurship within and beyond the curriculum while engaging with employers alumni and external partners to support this endeavour.
Achieving the global ambitions of our university depends on our people and we are proud of our highly talented and engaged culture is ambitious and high performing ensuring we deliver outstanding impactful student to this is how we support our students entrepreneurial needs reinforcing the transformational nature of the UoB experience.
Role Summary
In a time of rapid change and greater digitalisation todays graduates understand that these wider changes in society have and will continue to impact their future graduate opportunities changing many students are increasingly understanding the benefits of entrepreneurial skills to enhance their futures. Supporting this growing interest has consisted of enterprise education and extra curriculum activity to enhance students entrepreneurial skills and growth mindset. For those wanting to progress further the University has its own dedicated student and graduate incubator with the annual Elevate programme supporting student and graduate startups to create viable new ventures.
The role of Business Incubation Specialist is vital for the Elevate Programme as it helps emerging entrepreneurs refine their business ideas create sustainable business models and navigate their startup journey. The position provides highquality coaching mentoring business advice and partnership development ensuring efficiency innovation and growth throughout the programme.
Main Duties
Evaluating Startups:
Assess and support emerging startup opportunities from the student and graduate communities building a diverse pipeline of viable businesses for the Elevate programme. Ensure the selection process identifies the most promising ventures fostering a dynamic and sustainable cohort.
Business Advice and Coaching:
Provide highquality oneonone business coaching mentoring and bespoke support for all founders within the Elevate programme. Tailor advice to meet the unique needs of each startup guiding them through business model refinement growth strategies and scaling challenges.
Programme Design and Delivery:
Collaborate with the BEnterprising Programme Manager to design and deliver the Elevate incubator programme. This includes the creation of workshops training sessions and networking events ensuring they are relevant impactful and aligned with the evolving needs of student and graduate entrepreneurs.
Training and Mentoring:
Facilitate business model development business growth and fundraising through targeted training advisory sessions and mentoring. Ensure founders have access to the tools resources and guidance needed to build sustainable businesses.
Networking and Partnerships:
Cultivate and maintain strategic relationships with external stakeholders in the enterprise ecosystem including local and national investors partners and organisations. Promote their involvement with the Elevate programme ensuring startups have access to a broad network of support and potential collaborations.
Mentor Recruitment:
Build and sustain a network of mentors bringing in specialists from a variety of industries and sectors. Facilitate ongoing mentoring relationships that provide Elevate startups with expert guidance advice and professional insights.
Internal Collaboration:
Foster strong collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders including academics alumni and departments such as UoB Enterprise to create opportunities that benefit both the programme and the wider university community.
Funding Landscape Expertise:
Leverage knowledge of the funding ecosystem to help Elevate startups identify and secure appropriate financial support. Provide guidance on accessing grants investment and other funding sources to fuel business growth.
Progress Tracking and Reporting:
Monitor track and report on the progress of startups in the Elevate programme. Capture key performance metrics and outcomes providing internal stakeholders with regular updates on founder success programme impact and areas for improvement.
Community Building:
Create a stimulating and supportive environment that fosters a positive community of founders. Focus on cultivating a culture of collaboration creativity and shared learning. Ensure founders feel confident motivated and part of an ecosystem that actively supports their entrepreneurial journey.
Marketing and Communication:
Collaborate with the BEnterprising Programme Manager to develop engaging marketing materials and promotional strategies. Actively promote the Elevate incubator programme within the university and to external stakeholders ensuring the programmes value and impact are clearly communicated.
Advocacy for Entrepreneurship:
Act as a passionate advocate for student and graduate entrepreneurship. Share success stories raise awareness of the programmes impact and work to attract a diverse range of new startups into the Elevate programme. Promote a positive image of student entrepreneurship within the wider university and external networks.
Programme Development:
Proactively develop new opportunities for programme growth whether through new partnerships funding sources or initiatives. Continuously explore ways to enhance the Elevate experience and provide founders with a rich dynamic support system that responds to evolving market trends and needs.
Ensuring Founder Satisfaction:
Design and execute a seamless positive experience for all founders participating in the programme. Ensure their journey through the incubator is engaging supportive and effective with the right resources and guidance available to help them thrive and succeed.
General:
- Promoting equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture;
- Supporting the Universitys sustainability agenda through resourceefficient working;
- Undertaking any other duties commensurate with the grade.
Required Knowledge Skills Qualifications Experience
- Relevant degree or relevant equivalent professional qualification in the absence of relevant qualification substantial relevant experience evidencing the experience required in this role will be considered.
- A strong background in startups with proven ability to successful coach earlystage founders demonstrating experience and expertise in supporting startups and/or running one.
- Substantial experience of engaging and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
- Proven analytical and problemsolving skills that will help to identify and implement improvements and efficiencies across the programme.
- Strategic thinker proactively applying new concepts over a wide range of markets technologies and business models.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to influence and negotiate effectively with a range of stakeholders.
- Exceptional networking skills
- Strong people management skills with proven experience of motivating and engaging others.
- Effective team working to ensure best outcomes for all.
- High level of selfmotivation and personal accountability with ability to plan and deliver to deadlines under pressure.
- Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation policies procedures are applied.
- Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 and how to actively ensure in daytoday activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.
Informal enquiries to Nicola Gittins email:
View our staff values and behaviourshere
We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyoneon our website.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full-Time
