Associate

We are seeking an experienced, commercially minded and self-motivated professional to join our Social Value team as an Associate.  This role is dedicated to the growth and delivery of client facing social value advisory service.  Internal social value programmes, corporate responsibility activities and business wide impact initiatives are managed through a separate arm of the function and do not form part of this role’s responsibilities.

This is a senior, client facing role responsible for securing, leading and delivering social value advisory commissions across the built environment. Working alongside colleagues from across the Partnership, you will help clients understand, embed and maximise social value outcomes within projects, programmes and organisations.

Reporting to the Head of Social Value, you will play a key role in growing the Social Value Advisory service through business development, client relationship management and the successful delivery of high-quality consultancy services.  Supported by a team of Project Consultants, a Researcher and Social Value Coordinator, you will lead commissions from opportunity through to delivery, ensuring successful commercial, technical and client outcomes. 

This role would suit an entrepreneurial individual who enjoys building client relationships, identifying opportunities and developing innovative solutions to complex social challenges.

Key Responsibilities

Work winning, internal collaboration and market development

• Identify, develop and convert opportunities for Social Value Advisory services.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Develop a pipeline of opportunities across key sectors.
• Represent the business at industry events, conferences and networking activities.
• Support the development and implementation of service growth plans.
• Contribute to thought leadership, market positioning and business development initiatives.
• Develop strong relationships across key disciplines and regional teams.

• Act as the primary point of contact for Social Value Advisory services across the business.
• Work proactively with colleagues to identify opportunities to integrate social value into client commissions.
• Support multidisciplinary bid teams by shaping social value approaches and identifying additional advisory opportunities.
• Educate and upskill colleagues on the value and application of social value advisory services.
• Collaborate with discipline leads to develop integrated solutions that respond to client challenges.
• Support the development of sector-specific propositions and service offerings.
• Act as an ambassador for Social Value Expertise across the business.

Client leadership

• Act as a trusted advisor to clients on social value, social impact, stakeholder engagement and responsible business matters.
• Build long-term client relationships that generate repeat business and referrals.
• Provide strategic advice to senior client stakeholders.
• Ensure high levels of client satisfaction across all commissions.

Project/technical leadership and delivery

• Provide technical leadership across a range of social value, social impact and responsible business commissions.
• Act as Project Lead on advisory commissions.
• Scope, mobilise and oversee projects from inception through to completion.
• Manage project programmes, budgets, resources and risks.

• Provide expert advice to clients throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure technical outputs are robust, proportionate and aligned with current legislation, policy and industry best practice.
• Apply social value principles to support improved outcomes for clients, communities and stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development of innovative approaches, methodologies and tools.

Team leadership

• Direct and coordinate the activities of Project Consultants, Researchers and Coordinators across the social value function.
• Allocate resources effectively across commissions.
• Support capability development and knowledge sharing across the team.
• Promote collaboration across multidisciplinary project teams.
• Contribute to recruitment and team development activities as required.

Commercial management

• Prepare and review fee proposals, scopes of service and project budgets.
• Monitor project profitability and commercial performance.
• Support forecasting and pipeline reporting activities.
• Identify opportunities for additional services and commission growth.
• Ensure compliance with internal commercial processes and procedures.

Service development

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the Social Value Advisory offer.
• Develop and refine methodologies, tools and templates.
• Monitor emerging legislation, policy and industry best practice.
• Identify new service opportunities and market trends.
• Support the development of technical guidance, intellectual property and service innovation.
• Strengthen the integration of social value services across the wider business.

Person Specification

Essential

• Degree level qualification in a relevant discipline.
• Experience working within the built environment sector.
• Significant experience within social value, ESG, sustainability, regeneration, socioeconomics, stakeholder engagement or related fields.
• Experience undertaking or overseeing Equality Impact Assessments, Social Impact Assessments or Socio-Economic Assessments.
• Demonstrable experience of securing and delivering consultancy commissions.
• Strong commercial awareness and business development capability.
• Experience managing client relationships and leading projects.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and presentation skills.
• Strong report writing and quality assurance experience.
• Ability to work independently whilst leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Experience supporting public sector clients.
• Knowledge of social value policy, public procurement and planning frameworks.