Consultation and Business Development Officer

We're seeking a talented and highly motivated research manager with experience of developing and growing client accounts.

This is a newly created role, with a focus on developing and managing new relationships with internal colleagues whilst also creating productive collaborations with external partners.

As member of the Insight and Engagement Unit working at the heart of the County Council’s corporate centre, you will play a key role in taking business challenges and developing innovative solutions that will lead to confident evidence-based decision making.

You will be based at the County Council’s Headquarters in Winchester, with some travel required across the County. Winchester is a beautiful and historic city on the edge of the South Downs National Park, with excellent links to London and the South Coast. 

Please apply if you:

• have a passion for insight that you’d love to share with others

• have a great track record of developing strategic partnerships and identifying opportunities for growth

• can add value to the development of the Insight Unit and its future offer

Job Purpose:

This role is positioned at the heart of the County Council’s corporate centre, within the Customer Engagement Service. Under the direction of the Head of Service and the Consultation and Engagement Manager, the postholder will help shape the Insight and Engagement Unit’s future operating model and income generation strategy.

The main purpose of the role is to:

• undertake market research and analysis and support business case development for the Unit’s future operating model
• support lead generation and client management as well as the delivery of consultations as instructed
• engage with internal and external stakeholders to develop both internal and external relationships/partnerships
• support the County Council to deliver formal, major Transformation Programme public and stakeholder consultations
• enable evidence-based decision-making to ensure services provided by the County Council meet customers’ needs

Role Responsibilities:

• Undertake market research and support the development of the Unit’s future operating model, including through preparing a business case for developing the Unit’s externally traded work
• Develop a pipeline of income generating projects to be delivered by the Unit on behalf of external and internal clients
• Provide professional advice to internal and external clients on consultation, research and engagement projects, including project design, legal requirements, risks, data management and consent
• Develop project briefs for clients, including costings and project plans
• Provide information, advice and expertise to inform Departmental Management Team decisions on the County Council’s consultation and engagement strategy and to shape its future direction
• Help colleagues to understand the processes required to develop and grow client accounts
• Work with the wider Customer Engagement Service to develop the Unit’s marketing and communications strategy
• Support the Insight and Engagement Manager in managing and conducting the Unit’s work programme of research and consultation
• Interpreting complex data (both qualitative and quantitative) into useable knowledge and customer insight
• Maintain high professional standards of good quality consultation, research and engagement
• Provide support as required to the Head of Insight and Engagement on the Unit’s wider work programme including, for example, work relating to equalities and diversity

Role Requirements:

Essential:

• Educated to degree level
• Previous research experience in either a commercial, private or public sector role
• Experience of selling consultation / research services to other organisations
• Experience of developing and growing client accounts
• Good commercial acumen
• Ability to build rapport with colleagues and potential clients
• Ability to quickly develop and maintain excellent working relationships
• Ability to share and pass on skills / knowledge to develop others
• Excellent written, communication and presentation skills
• Understanding of consultation law and data protection regulations
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and techniques
• Ability to design and manage research and consultation projects, within budget and to agreed timescales
• Ability to run multiple projects concurrently and adapt quickly to changing circumstances
• Strong analytical capabilities including the ability to grasp complex data and turn it into useable knowledge – using data to ‘tell the story’ of the research
• Understanding of working in a political environment/ability to demonstrate political awareness
• Independent working and good organisational skills
• Commitment to the County Council’s equality policies

Desirable:

• Membership of/up to date accreditation with the Market Research Society
• Qualification in research / consultation
• Qualification in business development
• Project management (eg. Prince or equivalent)
• Understanding of Mosaic (customer insight)
• Experience of working in a research and engagement field in both public and private sectors
• Advanced knowledge of survey design
• Experience of contracting with third parties
• Excellent political acumen
• Experience of using Snap Surveys software

Working Conditions:

The following section provides an outline of the working conditions that may be encountered in this role:

• Display Screen Equipment User

Contact details for an informal discussion:

Please contact Philippa Mellish, Head of Insight and Engagement Unit, on 01962 847482 or Kat Hughes, Insight and Engagement Manager, on 01962 826670

Temporary (12 months), 

Hours per week:  22.2

Closing date: 6 February 2019

Interview Date: 21 or 22 February 2019

Job Reference: HCC7334