Senior International Growth Advisor
The Business Growth Hub (BGH) team is seeking a Senior International Growth Advisor.
Step into a pivotal leadership role at the forefront of Greater Manchester’s global ambitions. As Senior International Growth Adviser, you will lead a talented team of specialists dedicated to helping businesses unlock new export opportunities and succeed in international markets and will also manage a portfolio of businesses, providing strategic advice to support their international expansion.
Working in line with Greater Manchester’s International Strategy and in close partnership with key organisations such as the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Department for Business and Trade and the Greater Chamber of Commerce, you will play a central role in shaping the future of export support across the region.
This is an exciting opportunity to drive meaningful impact, empower local companies to go global, and influence the next generation of international business growth.
Responsibilities:
1. Lead, manage, and mentor a team of International Growth Advisors, providing strategic direction, performance management, and professional development, ensuring services are targeted, tailored, and deliver against contractual obligations.
2. Oversee and improve the quality of export readiness diagnostics and growth plans produced by the team, ensuring continuous improvement, quality assurance, and accurate reporting.
3. Keep up to date with international trade developments and general business growth support to ensure services remain relevant and aligned to client needs.
4. Support the design and delivery of Exporting and Business Growth activities, including workshops, masterclasses, coaching, and partner services to enhance business productivity, competitiveness, and resilience.
5. Ensure accurate recording of client interactions, referrals, and progress in CRM systems and associated databases, meeting deadlines and maintaining data integrity.
6. Undertake detailed export readiness diagnostics and growth planning, analysing business and market intelligence to provide actionable recommendations to senior management, boards, and stakeholders.
7. Build and maintain effective relationships with key partners such as the GM Chamber, Department for Business and Trade, GMCA, and the wider stakeholder network to deliver joined-up, high-quality export support.
8. Support the planning, coordination, and delivery of international trade events and trade missions, including logistics, timelines, suppliers, and stakeholder management.
About You:
9. Skilled in leading a team with the ability to inspire, mentor, coach, and drive performance to achieve sales and account management targets.
10. Strong understanding of international markets, export strategies, and trade support mechanisms, with the ability to translate insight into practical business advice.
11. Ability to build and sustain effective relationships across a wide stakeholder network, leveraging partner strengths to deliver joined-up support for clients.
12. Experience of planning, leading, and delivering complex programmes or trade missions, ensuring quality, impact, and value for money.
13. Strong commercial judgement and communication skills, with the ability to assess business needs and provide high-quality, tailored growth advice.
14. Previous experience in international trade advisory roles with demonstrable impact for client companies in both private and public sectors.
Skills Required:
15. Excellent presentation skills, both written and oral.
16. Strong financial, project, and contract management skills, including proficiency with IT systems.
17. Advanced analysis and problem-solving skills to inform decision-making and client support.
18. Effective networking and interpersonal skills to develop and maintain strategic local and international partnerships.
19. Commercially minded approach, with credibility across public and private sectors.
20. Ability to use data, insights, and evaluation to monitor impact, improve service delivery, and inform strategic planning.
We are currently unable to provide sponsorship for work permits or visas. Therefore, we can only consider candidates who already have the legal right to work in the UK.
Artificial intelligence can assist you during the application process, but every example and statement you include must be honest, accurate, and based on your own real experiences. If plagiarism is detected, meaning you present someone else’s ideas or experiences, or AI‑generated content, as your own, your application may be withdrawn, and internal applicants could face disciplinary action.
At GC, safeguarding the welfare of all individuals including vulnerable adults and young people is a top priority, and we expect all staff to uphold this standard. All appointments follow Safer Recruitment Procedures, including a DBS check carried out by Due Diligence Limited (DDC Ltd), at no cost to the successful candidate.
Please note: It is a legal offence to apply for a role involving regulated activity if you are on the Barred List.
We are committed to increasing workforce diversity and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who meet the essential criteria and either have a disability or are from a diverse ethnic community.
If this applies to you, you can request consideration under this scheme during the application process. Your request will be shared only with the Hiring Manager and Internal Recruitment Team.