Business Ecosystem Lead

Background information

Business Ecosystem Lead 

Overall objective of the Business Ecosystem Lead:

To ensure the successful delivery of project outcome 2 related to strengthening business associations in their engagement with consultancies and businesses. This involves driving the proactive engagement of business associations to increase the uptake of consultancy services, solutions, and financial products that are essential for modernisation. The Business Ecosystem Lead will be responsible to manage the implementation of the Communication strategy of the project, to communicate and proactively engage with the relevant market actors, and follow the communication for development approach.

Key responsibilites:

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with business associations to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, information, and networking opportunities.
• Encourage the exchange of information about business support services and solutions between business associations, consultancies, and businesses.
• Organise the implementation of the “communication for development” strategy to raise awareness among the market system actors about the importance and benefits of utilising consultancy services and solutions for business modernisation.
• Support the positioning of business associations as trusted intermediaries in the business modernisation process.
• Support business associations in promoting (and participating in the development of) tailored financial products that address the specific needs of businesses for modernisation.
• Facilitate communication and engagement between business associations, financial institutions, consultancies, and businesses to ensure the alignment of financial products with business needs.
• Enhance the capacities of business associations to understand the financial needs of their members and act as effective intermediaries between businesses, consultancies, and financial institutions.
• Promote the exchange of information regarding specific financial products that are most suited for modernisation, thereby improving the uptake of these products by businesses

Key deliverables:

• Design and lead the implementation of interventions for achieving the project outputs, including timelines, resources required, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Regular progress reports documenting achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Establish and sustain effective partnerships with key business associations, consultancies, and financial institutions.
• Design and implement successful communication and awareness raising interventions promoting the benefits of consultancy services and financial products.
• Develop and execute strategies to stimulate market demand for modernisation services, ensuring that businesses are aware of and have access to the necessary resources.
• Organise and deliver workshops and training sessions aimed at enhancing the capacity of business associations to serve as effective intermediaries in the modernisation process.
• Interact with business associations and other stakeholders to stimulate market demand for consultancy services focused on business modernisation.
• Promote the availability of modernisation services and solutions to businesses, highlighting the benefits of increased productivity and enhanced environmental efficiency.
• Collaborate with business associations to act as intermediaries, facilitating the matching process between businesses and consultancies, thereby improving access to relevant modernisation services.

Skills and qualifications:

A. Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Marketing, Communications or other related field (Master’s degree preferred).

B. Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in project management, with a focus on business development, consultancy services, and sustainability.
• Prior experience in management and implementation of communication strategies will be considered an advantage. 
• Prior experience in working with business associations will be prioritised. 
• Proven experience in multiple stakeholder management (working with businesses, business associations, financial institutions, and public institutions). 

C. Skills:

• Strong understanding of the business ecosystem environment. 
• Excellent communication, networking, and partnership-building skills.
• Ability to design and implement communication plans, visibility and networking events.
• English language proficiency.
• Computer literacy (Advanced usage of MS Word and MS Excel)

D. Competencies:

• Leadership and team management (prior experience of direct management of a team of at least 5 people will be considered an advantage).
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

​Deadline for applications:

The interested applicants are expected to submit their applications no later than 18:00 on 22 October 2024.
 

Please send your CV, letter of motivation and at least 3 reference contacts at modernisation.mk@swisscontact.org, with an email subject: “Business Ecosystem Lead” or via the Fast Apply option.