Business Growth Adviser

Job description

About the job

Job summary

The work we do in the newly formed BIST (Department for Business, Innovation, Skills and Trade) helps businesses in all parts of the UK to grow domestically and internationally, creating higher paying jobs and strengthening communities.

This is an exciting time to be part of the Domestic and International Markets and Export (DIME) Group, which plays a vital role in advising, supporting, and promoting UK businesses to grow and export, delivering economic growth through our network of colleagues across the UK and overseas.

You will play a pivotal role in how small and medium sized businesses across the UK receive export and wider business support.

Job description

This is an essential business engagement role delivered principally through online and digital first interactions. It will ensure that a broad range of businesses are aware of the advice/ support offered by BIST and its partners and provide bespoke support for new export ambitions or to expand an existing export journey.

Duties include:-

• Drive continuous growth in personal portfolio, ensuring that businesses are 'discovered', supported, and signposted to the most effective support for their continuous growth journey (digital, scale up, third-party) and maintain a continuously rolling portfolio of new and growing businesses.
• Recruit companies to a portfolio (with clear alignment to any new lead generation function) and track their growth progress, handing off relationships where appropriate - for example, to digital support where 1-1 interaction is no longer beneficial for the growth of the company, to more intensive "scale up" support for rapidly growing and high-potential businesses, or to colleagues dealing with Investments, specific sectors, geographies, or supply chains.
• Maintain a high level of up to date and cutting-edge knowledge of BIST products and services, wider partnerships, and the UK business, export, and regulatory environment to give the highest quality current advice (beyond exports and into regulation, investment and other business critical aspects of BIST's commercial interactions.
• Ensure that quality of service is maintained at the highest standards, and that Future BIST aims are continuously met through working behaviours, practices, and relationships, ensuring that BIST aims are clearly met and customers are satisfied with the services provided.
• Maintain accurate records of customer interactions on the CRM system/s and actively flag for handover with appropriate information and a clear contact any businesses needing further advice or support, maintaining own records of interactions as necessary and taking responsibility for the overall growth of own portfolio.
• Network effectively with colleagues across BIST, and other partners including regionally-based BIST colleagues to ensure that the widest possible range of businesses are supported with excellent advice, and that specialist place-based (e.g.Growth Hub) or sector-specific (Business group) contacts are made and delivered.
• As the export operating model develops and we shape delivery services together, a proactive approach and willingness to adapt is encouraged.
• Act at all times in line with the Civil Service code, with BIST's performance and behavioural standards, and putting responsibilities as a UK Civil Servant at the forefront of everyday performance and behaviour.
• Undertake continuous personal development, including 100% compliance with Minimum standards and mandatory learning, office attendance to meet role-specific requirements but keep abreast of wider economic, political, and other environmental factors.
• To champion learning, value diversity, respect colleagues, and drive delivery of BIST and HMG objectives at all times. Have full responsibility for driving personal performance conversations and leading team members where applicable.
• Participate in wider-BIST corporate activities and be an active and energetic member of the BIST community, both more widely and in the hub location where you are based, and have a vested interest in the leadership and success of the organisation and teams more widely as well as your own team.
• Additional duties may also be required in line with business need, these can include but are not restricted to assisting with local or national events, accompanying customers or Ministers on visits domestically or overseas, and attending events as BIST ambassadors, upholding professional standards and embodying a positive experience of the department internally and externally.
• Team members may be 'surged' onto other Directorate priorities if required, which may mean working in a different team during short periods of intense deliverables or unforeseen circumstances.

Person specification

Essential criteria:-

The below criteria are essential and will be assessed at application stage;

• First-hand experience of developing international trade for products and/or services
• Commercial/business-like approach with the ability to build relationships, develop leads and positively influence at all business levels
• Able to carry out an in-depth assessment of a company's readiness to trade internationally and advise on market research methodology to support strategic development of their international trade activity.
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the mechanics of international trade and the impact on this for businesses when there are changes to global policies, exporting processes and global trade issues.
• Knowledge of developing new business opportunities and strategic marketing plans
• Excellent communication, cultural awareness and presentation skills.

Desirable Criteria:-

The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates;

• Experience of delivering business support services or consultancy
• Experience of living or working abroad

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,913, Department for Business and Trade contributes £13,011 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Interviews for this vacancy will be conducted virtually. We will, however, consider in-person interviews by exception.

Please ensure that you check your emails regularly as all updates from us will be sent to you this way.

To apply for this post, you will be asked to complete the following as part of the online application:

• A CV setting out your career history, with key responsibilities and achievements. Provide employment history that relates to the essential criteria, and that any gaps in employment history within the last 2 years are explained. The CV should not exceed more than 2 x A4 pages.
• A Personal Statement of up to 750 words, explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role in reference to the essential criteria.

Your application will be sifted against the Experience criteria of the Civil Service Success Profiles.

We aim to sift both the CV and the Personal Statement but, in the event of a large number of applicants, an initial short sift may be conducted on the CV only. Candidates who pass the initial sift of the CV will either progressed to a full sift where the Personal Statement is then assessed, or progressed straight to further assessment/interview.

It is likely that the sift will take place 1-2 weeks after the closing date and interviews 3-5 weeks after the closing date, though this is subject to change.

Candidates who pass the sift will be invited to interview, where we will assess you on the Success Profiles elements of Behaviours and Strengths. As part of your interview, you will be asked to deliver a short oral presentation based on a company case study, details will be provided prior to your interview.

Please note, following a recent change to the Machinery of Government, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has been renamed to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) as of 20th July 2026. BIST connects the UK's world-class science and technology base directly to the businesses, places and workers that will drive good growth across the country. Such changes will not affect the selection process for this campaign; however, we wanted to take this opportunity to advise you of the recent changes to our department.

You can find further information here regarding recent governmental changes Machinery of Government changes: Fact Sheet - GOV.UK.

Reasonable Adjustments

We are committed to supporting candidates so they can perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. This includes making reasonable adjustments to our process. In order to request an adjustment:

Complete the 'Assistance required' section on the 'Additional requirements' page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process.

Alternatively contact the Government Recruitment Service at [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Please see attached Candidate Pack for further information on: Diversity and Inclusion; Benefits; Learning and Development; Working Patterns and what we deliver as a department.

Further Information:

• A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Reserve Lists will be for each location and appointments made in merit order based on location preferences.
• Any move to the Department for Business and Trade from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments.
• The Department will not consider sponsoring a visa or issuing a Certificate of Sponsorship. We are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
• New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
• Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty. Any applicant who has details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
• A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
• Terms and Conditions are attached. Please take time to read the document to determine how these may affect you.
• Please note - the successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 18 months before being released for another role.
• Candidates that do not quite meet the standard for this role may be offered a position at a lower grade.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland/Access NI on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email [email protected]

For further information on the Access NI confidential checking service telephone: the Access NI Helpline on 0300 200 7888 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email [email protected]

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Jane Matty
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners' Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact DBT by email at [email protected]. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: Civil Service Commission Complaints