Jobs

Part-Time Business Advisor

Central Virginia Small Business Development Center (CV SBDC) is seeking a Business Advisor. The position will be a minimum part-time, with potential for full-time based on organizational needs and operational priorities.  The CV SBDC Business Advisor will be responsible for supporting the day-to-day operations with an emphasis on business advising to entrepreneurs in the designated Counties.

The position will provide assistance, coaching, and strategic direction for new business startups and growing businesses in Central Virginia. The Business Advisor will deliver professional training classes; represent the Central Virginia SBDC at regional professional events and associations; and work with other directors and management within CV SBDC and CIC to support services and offerings to small business owners. The position reports to the Central Virginia SBDC Director and will conduct outreach in rural and underserved communities while supporting existing and incoming small business owners.

Position is minimum part-time, with potential for full-time, with a rate up to $35/hr based on experience. The Business Advisor will need to commit to at least 20 hours per week in the role.

Operations support:

• Ensure that organizational goals and objectives are accomplished in a timely and thorough manner.
• Support grant applications that are relevant to entrepreneurship and business development to support the CV SBDC’s continued operations and growth.
• Document client advising and training activities via Center IC (CV SBDC’s CRM) in a timely, accurate, and comprehensive manner. Collect and transmit consolidated client data. Maintain adequate client files as per Virginia SBDC Network Lead Office and SBA guidelines.
• Counsel prospective and existing small business owners/managers and coordinate delivery of services throughout the service region. 
• Analyze situations, make recommendations, and educate clients with regard to business plans, market feasibility, financial viability, operations management, disaster response and recovery, and legal structures, to name but a few topics.
• Maintain an appropriate level and mix of clients as noted by annual deliverables and strategic plan objectives.
• Develop and deliver high-quality, business training programs that are responsive to the needs of the business community served in collaboration with community members and technical experts.
• Assist the Events Coordinator in determining topics, agendas, instructors, instructional materials, location, time, and other resources required.
• Serve as an instructor of business training programs as needed.
• Provide support for the SBDC/SBA required annual site visits, quarterly meetings, monthly conference calls, and reports as required throughout the service area.
• Collaborate with CIC Director of Lending and Operations to assist applicants for CIC micro-loans as needed.

Outreach

• Collaborate with the Events and Communications Coordinator to support coordinated media and publicity initiatives.
• Support the maintenance of the Central Virginia SBDC’s information on websites.
• Maintain relationships and resources in government/public and private business sectors to assist SBDC clients.

Additional Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, and/or management, or, an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Background in small business consulting, mentoring, and/or counseling; minimum of 5 years is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Proven leadership and an understanding of issues impacting small business owners.
• Ability to establish rapport and provide business advice to starting or developing companies.
• Comfortable working collaboratively while advancing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong desire to learn and ability to research to identify resources and solutions.
• Organizational skills in electronic systems and personally to ensure follow-up and milestone achievement on multiple projects.
• Financial literacy and comfort with accounting (cash flow, balance sheet, P&L, and projections) or willingness to learn.
• Possesses exceptional business acumen, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Reliable self-transportation to rural regional locations to meet with entrepreneurs (mileage is reimbursed).
• Flexibility in working hours to fulfill travel and event requirements.

Leadership Skills

• Ability to respectfully listen and ask appropriate questions to build rapport with a diverse range of people quickly.
• Proven experience with technology, preferably in driving business growth.
• An entrepreneurial mindset; motivated and eager to pursue new business opportunities.
• Customer-service oriented (listening to and professionally and efficiently responding to customers).
• Excellent management skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A team player who prefers collaborative approaches when working with internal and external partners.

Communication Skills

• Able to collaborate effectively with diverse leaders, communicate strategies throughout all levels of the organization, and build consensus around key initiatives and projects.
• Able to understand the customer experience and communicate from a customer perspective across diverse groups.
• Possesses exceptional organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, both oral and written; able to articulate ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences clearly.
• Comfortable with ambiguity and able to handle the unexpected with flexibility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Finance, Business, or Marketing
• Experience in owning, growing, and managing a small business
• Experience with Microsoft and G Suite products
• Residence in Louisa, Orange, or Fluvanna County

HOW TO APPLY

Email resume, cover letter, and three references to [email protected].

We don’t expect all applicants to have every listed qualification. If you would like to explore in a conversation if you might be a good fit, please contact Mesa McMurtrey at [email protected] or 434-214-4556. We are happy to discuss the minimum qualifications to succeed in the role before you take the time to submit your application.

Priority will be given to applications received by October 31st.