JOB DESCRIPTION
Business Advisor - SBDC
POSITION CATEGORY: Full-time, 12 month, grant-funded, administrative position reporting to the Director of the Small business Development Center.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The SBDC Business Advisor is responsible for servicing clients of the Small Business Development Center and must meet established goals relative to number of clients, jobs, and economic impact. He/she is responsible for implementing and participating in one-to-one business advisement and group training sessions and orientations for SBDC clients and for follow-up services as necessary. The Business Advisor is also responsible for providing a comprehensive range of small based assistance to SBDC clients to include one-to-one client advisement in business plan development, analysis, preparation, and structure of financial statements, providing start-up information to include assistance in automated and manual record keeping systems and in assisting clients with advertising, promotional functions, market surveys, and other related activities.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES
1. Directs and advises entrepreneurs and business owners on matters involving the start-up or expansion of a small business.
2. Plans, directs and organizes orientation and training programs for SBDC clients.
3. Assists SBDC clients with the preparation of a business plan.
4. Provides counseling assistance in the preparation of loan packages, cash flow projections, and other financial statements.
5. Prepares written reports documenting the status and progress of all SBDC clients assisted.
6. Evaluates the client’s level of expertise or the sophistication of the venture to determine whether the client will be serviced on a short-term or long-term basis.
7. Maintains currency of all federal, state, and local government regulations pertaining to operating a business and provides updates to the SBDC staff.
8. Compiles data from SBDC clients who have received assistance in order to make refinements and improvements and for promotional purposes.
9. Establishes and maintains an up-to-date comprehensive network of professional contacts for referral purposes.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Finance, Economics, or related field; two (2) years experience in business consulting, small business management, or managerial consulting which must include business and marketing plan development, financial analysis, and financing options; two (2) years experience related to economic or entrepreneurial development; experience using Excel spreadsheets.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: Master’s degree in a business-related field; experience as an owner of a small business; demonstrable experience establishing local economic development, community, and business relationships; experience with training development and public speaking; experience with public relations and newsletter creation.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Must be able to listen to small business owner’s needs and be able to advise them on actions that need to be considered; must be able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously; must be able to write reports; must be able to prepare and make oral presentations to small and large groups; must be able to explain and interpret financial statements; must be able to travel locally; must be able to relate to all levels of the business community; must be able to operate computers.
Dec 2004
Revised March 2010