Why Join the SBTDC Team?
Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit? Do you want to make a real difference to small businesses and your local community?
Our statewide team is made up of mission-driven, compassionate individuals who are committed to supporting North Carolina small- and mid-sized businesses and the NC business ecosystem. Many of our staff are business owners themselves.
As part of the SBTDC and the UNC System, you will benefit from the autonomy of an independent business advisor role with the resources and support of a larger team and university behind you. As an SBTDC employee, you will have access to:
- UNC System benefits like tuition waivers, comprehensive health plans, generous paid time off.
- Two paid yearly professional development conferences in diverse locations across the state.
- Speaking and collaboration opportunities across the SBTDC and partner organizations.
- Flexible work environment.
- Direct interaction with clients and partner organizations.
- Diverse experiences in an impact-driven, high-performing organization.
- Supportive and transparent leadership.
At the SBTDC, we invest in our people, our greatest asset.
Ready to apply? Review our job openings.
Government Contracting Counselor
Fayetteville, NC
The GCAP counselor is expected to make a concerted effort to seek out and assist all small businesses and to provide a broad range of business advice and in-depth assistance to many clients throughout an assigned multi-county geographic region. The counseling aspect of this position includes one-on-one meetings, telephone, email and other professional written communications. A substantial amount of time will be committed to researching and preparing strategic recommendations to move the client forward, so they can grow their business.
Business Counselor
Charlotte, NC
This role supports the director and consultants by preparing and analyzing detailed financial statements while maintaining strict client confidentiality. Key duties include developing income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports, conducting ratio analyses, managing center budgets, and compiling reports for SBA compliance. The position also assists in financial package preparation for stakeholders and provides performance and productivity reporting to support center operations.
Business Launch Specialist
Charlotte, NC
This position provides business counseling to pre-venture entrepreneurs across an 8-county region. The counselor guides clients from idea to business launch through expert advice, needs assessment, and tailored support. As part of a statewide team, the role includes leading four cohort-based training programs annually. Responsibilities include independently marketing services, managing a client portfolio to support at least 58 new business starts per year, and collaborating with partners to address client challenges. The counselor also tracks client progress, adjusts plans as needed, and builds strong regional relationships to support entrepreneurship. Evening, weekend work, and travel are required.
General Business Counselor
Charlotte, NC
This is a senior business specialist position responsible for independently managing a portfolio of small business clients and providing expert consultation on complex business issues. The General Business Counselor serves as a local subject matter expert, offering high-level advice, technical assistance, and strategic guidance based on advanced knowledge of business growth and management. The role requires sound judgment, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to work with minimal supervision while proactively promoting the SBTDC across a multi-county region. This position also involves leadership in program administration, relationship development, and representing the organization at local, state, and national levels.
Government Contracting Counselor
Charlotte, NC
The GCAP counselor is expected to make a concerted effort to seek out and assist all small businesses and to provide a broad range of business advice and in-depth assistance to many clients throughout an assigned multi-county geographic region. The counseling aspect of this position includes one-on-one meetings, telephone, email and other professional written communications. A substantial amount of time will be committed to researching and preparing strategic recommendations to move the client forward, so they can grow their business.
How We Operate
The SBTDC has a unique structure and relationship to the UNC System. Each of our 16 offices is affiliated with one of the system’s universities, which serves as the host, allowing us to tap the vast resources of the UNC system, including faculty and student teams, to assist our clients.
- Host university. All SBTDC positions are hired through the host university within the hiring region. For example, in the western part of the state, a position would be hired through Western Carolina University or UNC-Asheville.
- University-specific job titles. Each university system has its own internal nomenclature for job titles. For example, they may use the term “program specialist” instead of “business counselor” in their internal job posting. However, your official title will reflect the SBTDC language, not your university’s internal nomenclature.
The Business Counselor Role
At the SBTDC, our professional staff are business counselors. Unlike business consultants, who provide advice and may produce work for a client, SBTDC counselors strive for greater engagement and partnership with clients. Our counselors help owners analyze all aspects of their business to identify areas for management improvement and business growth.
Successful candidates will enjoy helping a wide variety of small- and mid-sized businesses to increase their opportunities for success.