Economic Development Officer

Posted on 29 April 2026
Applications close on 13 May 2026

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All Locations:

Dorchester

Salary Details:

£32,061 - £36,363

Vacancy Type:

Fixed Term

Fixed Term End Date:

Not Specified

Function:

Business, Policy & Administration

Employer:

Dorset Council

Job Working Pattern:

Full time

Closing time of advert

23:59

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Economic Development Officer

About the role

The Economic Development Officer (Business Growth Dorset) will play a pivotal role in supporting small and medium-sized businesses, including start-ups, across Dorset and BCP. This role involves providing expert advice, guidance and signposting to relevant resources, ensuring businesses receive the support they need to thrive.

This is a full time (1 FTE) fixed-term contract until 31^st March 2029, funded by Department for Business & Trade’s Growth Hub grant awarded to Dorset Council for pan-Dorset delivery. The role is based at County Hall and Dorset Council provides a range of flexible working options, including hybrid working and working from home.

Business Growth Dorset is part of the network of 41 Growth Hubs across England which provide local business with access to advice and support for any stage of their business journey and are the local delivery partners for the Government's Business Growth Service. Growth Hubs bring together national and local offers from Government and the public / private sector and use triage, diagnostics, signposting, brokerage and in-house delivery to ensure businesses find the right support for their needs. Business Growth Dorset is supported and managed by Dorset Council with core funding from the Department for Business & Trade and delivers services across the county including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP).

What you can expect to be doing:

Key responsibilities include:

Responding to business enquiries in a professional and timely manner.
Identifying growth businesses across the county and building relationships to provide proactive growth support.
Managing own workload including output targets and projects.
Maintaining accurate records on the CRM system.
Attending and actively participating in business events.
Promoting the Business Growth Dorset service and the Invest in Dorset brand.
Acting as an ambassador for Dorset businesses across Dorset and BCP.
Performing administrative tasks related to CRM, website management, social media, events, finance and project coordination.

The Economic Development Officer (Business Growth Dorset) will be a proactive and knowledgeable representative, dedicated to fostering a vibrant business community and driving economic growth in the region.

About you:

To excel as Economic Development Officer (Business Growth Dorset), the individual must possess a combination of strong interpersonal and practical skills. Key abilities include excellent communication and active listening, which are essential for understanding and addressing the specific needs of each business. A solid grasp of the business support landscape, including knowledge of local resources, funding opportunities and support programmes, is crucial. The individual should be adept at building and maintaining relationships, ensuring businesses feel supported and valued. Organisational skills and attention to detail are important for managing multiple tasks and maintaining accurate records. Additionally, a proactive and empathetic approach helps in providing effective guidance and fostering a positive business environment.

The applicant is expected to embody Dorset Council Values. Our values act as guiding principles, defining what we believe is important in the ways we work together. Our values are Respect, Together, Accountability, Openness and Curiosity.

The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

Further Information

This is a full time time role at 37 hours per week, fixed term until 31 March 2029.

This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed.

Please contact the hiring manager for an informal discussion about the role, Shelley Collins-Trevett, [email protected].

The interview process will consist of a short prepared presentation and an interview.

About Us

At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:

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At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We:

provide essential services that support over 300,000 residents
work in partnership to make a real difference
value every role and the impact it has on our communities
support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You will:

be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
have access to a range of benefits and support
receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.

Find out more about how to apply.

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