Senior Business Advisor

Job Description:

Senior Business Advisor
East Midlands – Derby, Leicester or Nottingham
£53,000 - £55,000p.a. pro rata
Fixed Term Contract until March 2026, expectation for extension for at least a further 12 months

• Are you driven by helping ambitious SMEs innovate, scale and break into new markets?
• Want to lead a high-performing advisory team shaping the future of business innovation in the Midlands?
• Ready to work strategically with C-Suite leaders on growth, commercialisation and investment plans?

The Company:
ER Recruitment are excited to be working with our client, a respected regional organisation delivering innovation, growth and business support services to SMEs. Working as part of a national Innovate UK-backed programme, they help high-potential companies accelerate growth, secure investment and commercialise new ideas. You’ll join a progressive, collaborative environment committed to enabling innovation across the region’s future economies.

Role & Responsibilities of the Senior Business Advisor:

• Lead and develop a team of Innovation & Growth Specialists, ensuring consistent, high-quality advisory support to SMEs.
• Manage your own portfolio of ambitious businesses, providing senior-level strategic coaching at board/owner level.
• Conduct in-depth reviews, identify growth barriers, create action plans and support innovation commercialisation.
• Provide expert advice across funding, finance, investment readiness, innovation management and internationalisation.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships through a holistic, client-centric service approach.
• Work collaboratively with national programme partners, external stakeholders and specialist networks.
• Ensure compliance with funder requirements and oversee reporting, KPIs and project delivery outcomes.
• Represent the organisation at regional and national innovation events and deputise for senior leadership where required.

About You as the Senior Business Advisor:

• Proven experience leading high-performing advisory, consultancy or innovation-focused teams.
• Significant background working with innovative, high-growth SMEs across sectors such as net zero, digital tech, healthcare, manufacturing or agritech.
• Strong knowledge of business and innovation strategy, commercialisation, funding and investment routes.
• Able to credibly advise and challenge C-Suite leaders, founders and scale-up businesses.
• Strong analytical, financial and problem-solving skills, with resilience and drive for results.
• Excellent communicator, relationship-builder and mentor with a collaborative mindset.
• Confident working across a wide network of partners and navigating complex stakeholder environments.
• Degree-level education and leadership qualifications desirable.
• Full driving licence and willingness to travel locally, nationally and occasionally internationally.

Additional Benefits:

• Agile/flexible working
• Monday to Friday, 35 hour working week
• Opportunity to influence innovation and growth across the Midlands

Please note by applying for this role you give consent for ER Recruitment to retain your CV for up to 24 months for the purposes of assisting you to find your next role unless you notify us otherwise.

While we aim to get back to all applicants, if you do not receive a response within 7 working days then unfortunately your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

We are here to help with your career so please send a copy of your CV to us. If you know of anyone else who is looking for their next opportunity, please feel free to refer them to us or pass on our details.

We look forward to hearing from you.