Enterprise Advisor

Job Purpose

The Enterprise Advisor will utilise their positive and can-do approach to develop and support a growing pipeline of early-stage student (undergraduate, MSc and PhD) and alumni entrepreneurs. They will spend the majority of their time working with clients on a one-to-one basis (discussing business propositions, reviewing business plans, supporting the development of competition applications and pitch decks, signposting to appropriate ecosystem partners and working collaboratively with University colleagues to access expert support and mentorship from our alumni network), supporting their development as they progress through the company formation process and beyond.

The post holder will also manage a range of support interventions including regular start-up bootcamps, an annual StartUp Factory Weekend, design sprints, monthly WorkshopIT and Freelancer Academy sessions and feed into the continued development of our Summer Company and Summer Workshop programmes.

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic individual who can use their own passion for entrepreneurship to engage, inspire and support our entrepreneurs in both a group and one-to-one setting. The post holder will be both process-driven and entrepreneurially minded, possessing an in-depth knowledge of the company formation process and the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Scotland.

The Enterprise Advisor will inspire and enthuse a portfolio of early-stage start-up opportunities emerging from the University of Glasgow’s student and alumni communities, supporting their progress through the company formation process and into the growth phase. They will also be responsible for managing a varied portfolio of start-up interventions designed to facilitate and accelerate progress through the start-up process and supporting the businesses located in the Enterprise Hub.

The post will report to the Student and Graduate Enterprise Manager and will involve some evening/weekend hours.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1.  Act as the first point of contact for all start-up opportunities (excluding spin-out opportunities) emerging from the University of Glasgow student and alumni community, reviewing new client information, and conducting initial client meetings.

2.  Manage a portfolio of early-stage start-up clients, providing bespoke business support (business case, business model canvas and business plan reviews, business competition application support, signposting) through one-to-one meetings and follow-up actions.

3.  Develop a rapport with emerging entrepreneurs, ensuring they feel connected into the wider University of Glasgow entrepreneurial ecosystem.

4.  Deliver regular start-up bootcamps, design sprints, hackathons etc., designing and delivering content with a view to helping those with early-stage ideas to test and evolve those ideas towards developing an initial business case.

5.  Develop new entrepreneurial training materials for delivery via an online platform for entrepreneurs to access on a flexible basis.

6.  Encourage pipeline participation, on a case by case basis, in internal and external entrepreneurial competitions (e.g. Converge, ScottishEdge, Santander X UK. Awards).

7.  Maintain accurate records of engagement with pipeline of entrepreneurs to enable accurate team reporting of pipeline activity, progress and achievements.

8.  Build effective working relationships with colleagues across Colleges, Schools and Professional Services, as well as representatives from the wider Scottish entrepreneurial ecosystem and University of Glasgow’s internal support networks to encourage their involvement in start-up activities.

9.  Support the promotion of Student and Graduate Enterprise e.g. through provision of information for case studies, social media posts, student society engagement and representing Student and Graduate Enterprise at awareness raising opportunities.

10. Other activities / projects as assigned by the Student and Graduate Enterprise Manager

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential

A1 Degree or (equivalent work experience) in a relevant discipline/business area with evidence of continued professional development in an area relevant to the role.

A2 Detailed knowledge and understanding of the student enterprise/ community landscape, with knowledge of the socio-economic landscape in Scotland, the UK and internationally as relevant.

A3 Good knowledge and understanding of the business start-up process and the support ecosystem in Scotland.

Desirable

B1 Knowledge of the relevant areas of strategic importance for the University of Glasgow and enterprise education more broadly.

B2 Higher degree or professional qualification in a relevant area.

Skills

Essential

C1 Confident public speaker, comfortable delivering pitches, presentations, and workshop content.

C2 Good communicator, adept in building relationships with key stakeholders and managing expectations.

C3 Understanding of business idea validation tools, such as Business Model Canvas, and matters surrounding company creation.

C4 Working knowledge of Scotland’s entrepreneurship support network – its components and interaction.

C5 Excellent interpersonal and listening skills and ability to interact effectively with people at different levels within a wide range of companies, public and government organisations, and voluntary organisations.

C6 Proven ability to develop and implement strategy and policy and to translate plans into effective action.

C7 Ability to think strategically, innovatively, critically and analytically.

C8 Self-starter with the ability to generate ideas, exercise initiative and to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

C9 High level of oral and written communication including the ability to write for various publications.

C10 Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing environments (some evening and weekend work required).

C11 Strong organisational skills with the ability to drive multiple projects simultaneously.

C12 Ability to work effectively under pressure.

Desirable

D1 Demonstrable project management skills.

D2 Effective team management skills.

Experience

Essential

E1 Experience of working with start-ups and early-stage entrepreneurs as a practitioner, advisor, mentor or consultant; helping them to validate and start-up business ideas.

E2 Experience in the successful development and delivery of entrepreneurship support programmes and workshops (e.g. business model canvas, pitching, business planning, etc.).

E3 Proven experience of reviewing and writing business plans and successful funding applications.

E4 Previous experience working in the HE sector in a relevant area.

E5 Experience of working with a range of sectors drawn from: large corporations, the professions and professional bodies, the public sector, SMEs and the third and fourth sectors.

E6 Experience of successfully forming networks, collaborations and professional relationships.

E7 Experience of working on own initiative, establishing priorities and multi-tasking to deadlines.

E8 Experience of contributing to the formulation and/or implementation of strategy.

E9 Experience of working with and influencing senior management.

Desirable

F1 Experience of programme management, overseeing administrative and budgetary processes.

F2 Experience of starting / running own business.

F3 Previous experience of working in a similar student facing or student engagement role.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £39,347 - £44,263 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week), which will involve some evening/weekend hours, and is offered on an open ended basis.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

3 A flexible approach to working.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community

https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/

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