Business Engagement Officer

• Suffolk County Council

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Address

Various - Travel across Suffolk is required

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Salary

£35,570 per annum (pro rata if part time) or Crew Manager in accordance with NJC pay scales

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Hours

37 hours per week (Green Book) or 42 hours per (Grey Book), flexible working options available

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Contract

Fixed Term/Secondment for 12 months due to external funding

At Suffolk County Council, collaboration is at the heart of what we do. As a Business Engagement Officer (Protection) in the Fire and Rescue Service Protection Team you’ll work with colleagues, partners, and communities to lead business engagement activity across Suffolk, coordinate and deliver multi‑agency Impact Days, manage the Service’s Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and solar installation consultations, and support the Primary Authority Scheme (PAS).

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

As a Business Engagement Officer in Protection, you will play a vital role in helping Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service work with businesses and partners to keep people safe. Your work will directly support risk reduction, legal compliance, and safer communities across Suffolk.

On a day to day basis, you will engage with businesses to provide practical fire safety guidance, analyse Unwanted Fire Signals data to identify trends, and help deliver targeted interventions that make a real difference. You will also coordinate Impact Days and work with a wide range of partners, bringing people together to improve safety outcomes.

You will contribute to specialist areas such as Battery Energy Storage Systems and solar consultations, supporting informed and balanced decision making. Working closely with colleagues across Prevention, Protection, and Response, you will be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking team that values your insight and contribution.

In this role, you will

• Build strong relationships with businesses and partner organisations
• Deliver business engagement activity and multi-agency Impact Days
• Analyse Unwanted Fire Signals data to help reduce repeat incidents
• Support the Primary Authority Scheme and consistent fire safety advice
• Contribute to consultations on emerging technologies such as BESS and solar
• Work collaboratively to improve safety and compliance across Suffolk

This is a role where your work will be visible, valued, and meaningful. We are excited to welcome someone who is passionate about making a difference and ready to grow within a supportive and committed team.

You will need

We are looking for someone who is motivated, approachable and keen to make a positive difference. You do not need to know everything from day one. What matters is your willingness to learn, work collaboratively and develop your knowledge as part of a supportive and committed team.

You will ideally have experience of working with businesses, partners or stakeholders, with the confidence to communicate technical or regulatory information in a clear and practical way. You will be organised and curious, with the ability to manage competing priorities and adapt to the varied demands of the role.

You will enjoy building relationships and working with others, while also being comfortable taking the lead when needed. Confidence using digital tools, working with information and maintaining accurate records will also be important. Experience in fire safety, regulation, project coordination or event delivery would be beneficial, but we equally welcome relevant transferable skills and experience from other backgrounds.

Ideally you will have

• experience of working with businesses, partners or community groups
• strong communication skills and the ability to build positive working relationships
• an organised and proactive approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities
• confidence using IT systems and working with data
• a willingness to learn and develop your technical knowledge, with support from the team
• a full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel across Suffolk.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP), which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

You will be joining the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Protection team, which works to improve public and business safety across Suffolk. The team focuses on reducing risk through education and engagement, while supporting and enforcing compliance with fire safety legislation to help protect people, property and the environment.

You will work alongside knowledgeable and supportive colleagues, collaborating with businesses, partners and other areas of the Service to make a positive difference to communities across Suffolk.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

Please contact Rob Green for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 07500 089452 or emailing rob.green@suffolk.gov.uk

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application.

Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.

1. Give an example of when you had to explain technical, regulatory or complex information to someone who was unfamiliar with the subject. How did you make sure your message was clear and understood?

2. Tell us about a time when you coordinated a project, event or activity involving a range of people or organisations. How did you plan and organise it, and what was the outcome?

3. Tell us about a time when you worked collaboratively with others to solve a problem or achieve a shared goal. What was your contribution and what did you achieve?

4. Give an example of when you had to influence, advise or persuade someone to take a particular course of action. How did you approach the conversation and what was the result?

Please note

Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.

Closing date

11.30pm, 22 November 2026.

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Onsite

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy

up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days

membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits

performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase

training and encouragement to expand your knowledge

a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation

diverse and active staff networks

flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).