Job Description
Account Executive
Are you a strategic thinker with a flair for fundraising and business development? Are you ambitious, driven and hungry to succeed?
Oaks are business development specialists, expert in helping organisations – from across the sport and not-for-profit sectors – to run more successfully and sustainable businesses by supporting with critical functions such as business planning, organisational development and income generation. We work with a wide range of organisations including Everton FC, the Tennis Foundation, Sports Leaders UK, the Rugby Football League, the CSP Network, Pompey in the Community, and have recently extended our reach into new areas such as working with a number of housing associations and homeless charities.

We are a rapidly-growing, dynamic organisation that is fast-developing a reputation for delivering market-leading support and expertise within our sectors.

The post-holder will have an exciting and diverse job description gaining experience, training and development across the areas of business development, grant funding and commercial sponsorship. As an entry level position to the business, the post-holder will support the delivery of various client accounts, working alongside experienced account managers.

Business Development
You will support the Business Development Team with the production of business and strategic plans for our clients as well as support with the implementation and activation of business development activities.

Grant Funding
The post-holder will support our clients to develop high-impact community outreach projects; identify, source and secure income from a range of grant funding opportunities; develop sustainable funding models and, ultimately, help them to run more profitable and successful businesses.

Commercial Sponsorship

The post-holder will support our Commercial Sponsorship Team in enabling organisations and event deliverers to maximise the commercial income they can generate from the activities that they deliver.

Main areas of responsibility
Working directly with numerous high-profile clients across the sport and not-for-profit sectors ensuring all account requirements are fulfilled and exceeded
Work alongside the Account Managers to effectively manage a range of client accounts
Work closely with the Oaks project team to ensure effective delivery of Oaks’ duties
Develop and manage client relationships ensuring optimal customer satisfaction and, where appropriate, establishing yourself as a key point of contact for them
Manage project plans ensuring that both Oaks and the clients are working towards project timescales and deadlines
Undertaking comprehensive research to support existing – and prospective – client contracts, this will include:

o Research, planning and completion of grant funding applications and tendering bids on behalf of clients to ensure Oaks delivers against agreed income targets
o Regular monitoring of the trusts and foundations grant funding sector ensuring that Oaks is ahead of the curve with important changes to funding guidelines, the introduction of new funds and the criteria for securing funding from charitable trusts and foundations
o Identifying potential commercial partners for our clients and supporting in the preparation of pitches

Interface with clients and partners in person, in writing and verbally both within an office environment and in the field, maintaining exemplary relationship management
Prioritising actions and work programmes to ensure we are always working strategically and optimising our use of time
Problem solving and identifying creative solutions to challenges/issues
Generate new ideas of how to make money for our clients and improve the business planning and implementation process
Produce and disseminate internal project updates
Assist in the development of progress reports and board papers for each client
Manage and implement project tasks which could include:

o Supporting clients to shape high-impact community projects that successfully against their strategic, social and financial objectives
o Creating an events fundraising plan
o Helping to set up and run a fundraising event
o Attending meetings with prospective new partners on behalf of clients
o Supporting in the preparation of tender applications for clients
o Working with individual members of our clients’ teams to help them identify – and activate – income generating opportunities within their specific areas
o Working with clients to identify cost savings within their budgets
o Supporting clients to develop their network of partners and build new relationships
o Identify potential partners through which clients can complete grant funding applications
o Support in the delivery of workshops/presentations to – and, where appropriate, on behalf of – our clients

Other duties and responsibilities include:

Supporting with the workshop facilitation throughout the business planning process
Support on the preparation of business plans and strategies
Identification and conversion of new business opportunities for Oaks
Support on marketing and branding
Support on tender applications for Oaks
Any other reasonable duties in-line with the organisation’s core activities and services
Flexible working hours to be able to fulfil duties that may, on occasion, fall on an evening or weekend

Person Specification

Essential
o Graduate with sports or business degree or equivalent career experience
o Delivering projects to deadlines
o Working as part of a team
o Thorough knowledge of IT packages especially Microsoft (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, email systems)
o Excellent written and spoken English
o Passionate about sport
o Good listening skills
o Excellent organisational skills, being able to work under pressure, prioritise workloads and meet deadlines
o Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to make and maintain effective relationships with clients and key stakeholders
o Ability to deliver a high quality service and commitment to continuous improvement
o Self motivated and flexible in approach
o Ability to motivate and work well within a team

Desirable
o Previous experience of fundraising
o An understanding of the organisations involved in sport on a local and national level
o Energetic, outgoing, friendly, confident, dedicated, determined, career-minded
o A lateral thinker with a creative approach to problem solving
o Ability to speak confidently and knowledgeably to mixed audiences
o Able and willing to work, on occasions, evenings and weekends

Hours of work
The appointee will be expected to work a 37.5 hour week, Monday to Friday 9am – 5.00pm with a one-hour break for lunch. Some weekend work may be required and there may be other occasions when additional hours will be necessary for the completion of the duties of the position.

Holidays
21 days holiday per annum in addition to Public Holidays
How to apply
CV and cover letter must be received by Sunday 1st May. Interviews are likely to be held w/c 9th May.
All applications should be emailed to Rahul Bissoonauth at rahul@oaksconsultancy.co.uk or posted to Oaks, Acorn House, Oak Farm, Hampton Lane, Catherine de Barnes, Solihull B92 0JB.