Consultant, SBDC

PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

Researches and analyzes business needs and advises small business owners in areas of marketing, finance, operations and business planning. Provides consulting services and develops educational workshops and seminars for business owners. The position impacts the economic development of the Lone Star College System region by assisting companies to get started, expand and diversify through accessing capital, creating jobs, and growing businesses.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Provide in-depth, one-on-one consulting services while maintaining a confidential relationship.
• Assist individuals with start-up issues and work with them to develop business plans, marketing plans, financial packages, and counsel on hiring issues, business structures and other issues related to starting a business.
• Assist established business owners in effectively managing and operating their businesses by addressing sales and marketing opportunities, staffing, growth and development, cash management, business planning, customer service, and day-to-day business operations matters and counsel as necessary on other issues related to growing a successful business.
• Travel to off-site locations on a regular basis in North Harris and Montgomery counties to provide consulting services.
• Assist clients with analysis of financial information.
• Assist clients with preparation of financial reports, projections, loan applications and related matters to ensure completeness.
• Counsel clients applying for SBA and conventional business loans, including responding to applicant questions about the process and the application itself.
• Conduct market research and feasibility studies as needed by clients.
• Maintain accurate, complete and up-to-date client files.
• Prepare professional correspondence to clients.
• Conduct situational analysis of small businesses and develop scopes of work for clients.
• Maintain contact with clients and conduct follow-up telephone calls and meetings to enhance customer satisfaction and service delivery.
• Regularly review and analyze SBDC goals and outcomes and maintain accountability for achieving program goals and objectives.
• Prepare accurate and complete monthly reports within stated deadlines.
• Develop effective schedule of visits with partners and prospective community partners.
• Attend meetings and other gatherings to develop business relationships; periodically make presentations related to SBDC.
• Attend professional development seminars as directed.
• Work with team to develop effective marketing materials for the SBDC.
• Work with team to develop and plan workshops and training seminars to be delivered throughout the Lone Star College System region; present workshops and training seminars as needed.
• Work closely with a team of SBDC consultants who confer regularly regarding clients’ needs and solutions.
• Assist with special projects as directed.
• Periodic activities outside work hours including evenings and weekends.
• Perform other reasonable duties as assigned by the director.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Related Field.
• Knowledge of bank credit standards and products.
• Knowledge of core business competencies for small business owners.
• Knowledge of a broad range of issues affecting small businesses which may include, but not be limited to: marketing, sales, hiring and employment, technology, business structures, business management and financials.
• Ability to work one-on-one with business owners, engage in active listening and respond to questions.
• Quantitative and statistical skills.
• Ability to collect, review, and analyze information to make recommendations to business owners.
• Analytical skills sufficient to develop plans from statistical reports.
• Ability to identify barriers that owners of small businesses encounter.
• Strong communication skills; ability to communicate effectively orally for presentations and write clearly and concisely for reports and correspondence.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to cultivate relationships.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work cooperatively with persons from diverse, cultural backgrounds.
• Sufficient knowledge and skills to effectively use the computer to complete required tasks.
• Meet schedules, deadlines and timelines.
• Good organizational skills.
• Ability to work confidently and with discretion.
• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking.
  High level of energy and self motivated.
• Working knowledge of computer applications including: Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and other commonly used business software.

Preferred:

• 5+ years of significant and successful experience as owner and/or operator of a business or the equivalent of a $1 million budget profit center within a large corporation.
• Masters Degree in Related Field.
• Prior consulting experience with a top management consulting firm.
• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish).

EQUIPMENT USED:
Personal computer, spreadsheets, word processing programs, databases and other equipment incidental to the normal operation of the office.

CONTACTS:
Internal - Weekly contact with the Director and consultants. Contact maintained with the college CE Program Directors.
External - Contact on an ongoing basis is maintained with small business owners in North Harris and Montgomery Counties.

COMPLEXITY/EFFORT:
Position provides business assistance solutions for small business clients.  Problems are resolved by the expertise, experience, and analytical skills of the consultant. Works closely with a team of SBDC consultants who confer regularly regarding clients’ needs and solutions.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 
Work is performed in an office environment with minimal exposure to safety hazards.  Some travel is involved.