General Business Counselor

The General Business Counselor is responsible for providing technical assistance to SBTDC’s small and mid-sized companies.

Responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the following:

• Counseling – 55% of time: This position provides one-on-one management counseling to small and mid-sized businesses. Requires significant analysis, including but not limited to, identifying issues, interpreting complex data and information, communicating trends and possible outcomes, organizing and evaluating research, planning and designing data collection, assisting client in establishing goals and objectives, and making recommendations.Incumbent must use broad discretion and professional judgment in formulating and communicating recommendations. Significance of decision making ability is very high.Maintaining client relationship is very important. Significance and impact to client management is high. Absolute confidentiality of client information must be maintained. Both the SBTDC and its clients are directly affected by the quality of service provided through this position. Errors or failure to exercise care in advising clients could cause irreparable harm. This counselor collaborates with SBTDC, specialty advisors to addressing depth financial and operations needs with respect to special markets. Referrals and co-counseling may also occur with other service-providing partners in the region.
• Outreach and Marketing – 25% of time: This position has the responsibility for promoting the SBTDC throughout the 14-county area served by the regional center. This includes explaining SBTDC programs to lenders, chamber representatives, CPAs, attorneys, city and county officials, state and federal representatives, and economic developers. Developing and maintaining these relationships is essential as this network of partners in each county is crucial to continued success. Additional duties include promoting the programs and events of SBTDC, and marketing all services to the market segments outlined in the SBTDC Strategic Plan. Counselor represents SBTDC at conferences, meetings, panel discussions, special events, and other networking opportunities deemed appropriate both throughout the 14-county region and at the University.
• Administrative – 10% of time: This counselor is responsible for timely documentation of all work related to clients in assigned portfolio, to include all client impact resulting from assistance provided to clients. This is performed electronically using Center IC, the SBTDC’s CRM system. Outreach reports are compiled and submitted each month and incorporated into regional center quarterly reports. This counselor is also responsible for writing client success stories for the quarterly regional center reports and SBTDC Annual Reports. Counselor contributes to program evaluations undertaken by the SBTDC each quarter. Additional administrative tasks include expense reporting and other university employee tasks.
• Training – 5% of time: This position has the responsibility for planning and facilitating trainings and workshops offered by this SBTDC regional center.
• Student Engagement – 5% of time: This counselor will assist in recruiting, interviewing, selecting, and mentoring interns each semester as they provide assistance to
  SBTDC clients.

Minimum Education / Experience

Bachelor’s degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in business administration, or equivalent business management / entrepreneurial experience. 3 – 5 years of progressive management.