Business Engagement and Grants Officer

Aatom Recruitment is recruiting for a Business Engagement and Grants Officer on behalf of a local authority. This is an excellent opportunity to join a busy Economic Development team supporting independent businesses, SMEs, and high streets across the borough.

Location:

Elmbridge

Hours:

36 hours per week

Contract:

7 months with possibility of extension

Employer:

Aatom Recruitment on behalf of a Local Authority

The Role You will play a key role in supporting local businesses and strengthening town and village centres. Working closely with business owners, stakeholders, and council departments, you will help deliver grant programmes and initiatives that encourage business growth and improve the local trading environment.

Key Responsibilities Build strong relationships with local businesses, SMEs, traders, Chambers of Commerce, and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). Act as a key contact for businesses seeking advice, support, and grant funding. Promote and administer business grant schemes worth over £100,000. Support businesses with funding applications, eligibility checks, compliance, and grant monitoring. Carry out outreach activities across town and village centres. Work with internal council departments to provide coordinated support services.

Represent the council at business meetings, networking events, and stakeholder forums. Assist with projects that support regeneration, placemaking, and high street improvement initiatives. Prepare reports, case studies, and monitoring information to demonstrate programme outcomes. Support campaigns and communications promoting local business opportunities. About You To be successful in this role, you will have experience in business engagement, economic development, grants administration, or customer-focused business support.

You should be able to demonstrate:
Experience engaging with businesses, SMEs, or local stakeholders. Strong communication and relationship-building skills. Experience managing records, documentation, or grant administration processes. Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail. The ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently. Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office 365. A proactive and customer-focused approach to problem-solving.

Desirable Experience Supporting independent businesses and SMEs. Economic development, regeneration, or town centre management. Working with BIDs, business groups, or Chambers of Commerce. Grant funding, compliance, or programme administration. Business support or project administration qualifications. Apply If you have experience in business engagement, grants administration, economic development, regeneration, or SME support and would like to contribute to the success of local businesses and high streets, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today through Aatom Recruitment for further information.