General Business Counselor

8:00 am - 5:00 pm; Monday - Friday with occasional evening and weekend hours required, as necessary.

SBTDC's mission is to support economic development in the State of North Carolina by providing assistance in the start-up, successful operation, and expansion of small businesses and by facilitating technology development and transfer within the state's small business community.

This position is a senior-level professional position through which the SBTDC's counseling, training, research, and technical assistance services are provided to small business owners, would-be entrepreneurs, and individuals and firms developing new products, technologies, or markets. The position is expected to provide expert-level business advice and in-depth assistance to a sizable number of clients, both in the Charlotte office and elsewhere throughout an assigned multi-county geographic area. The position also includes group training design/facilitation and marketing/outreach activities.

The incumbent is expected to manage a large and varied client portfolio made up of small and medium-sized businesses, as well as pre-venture companies, guiding all business disciplines. Counseling provided is expected to result in economic impact (business starts, revenue generation, sales growth, job creation, etc) and other reportable success stories.
The position requires meeting several metrics, including a minimum of 948 hours of counseling activity per year.

The incumbent will deliver at least two training events per year (fee-based and/or free), which includes marketing, planning, and/or delivering to target markets in support of the Regional Service Center Annual Work Plan.

Duties and Responsibilities

Consultation - The Senior Small Business Specialist is independently responsible for managing their client portfolio. This includes a thorough evaluation of complex issue(s) facing clients, and providing consultation based on their expertise. This responsibility includes direct client contact in one-on-one meetings and through telephone and written communications. It
also includes the very substantial time which must be committed to adequately research, prepare
materials, and recommend courses of action to clients who are counseled. Provide advice and
technical assistance relative to complicated, sensitive, and unique problems.

Professional Knowledge - Maintain an expert level of knowledge of program policies, procedures, technology, and best practices, specifically as they relate to business growth and management, serving as the local expert in this regard. Analyze and evaluate how issues apply to, or impact, stakeholders, including clients, management or other strategic partners, and then succinctly distill and convey this information. Proactively be aware of changing economic conditions and understand how that might affect the organization or clients, and communicate that information accordingly.

Information Analysis / Decision Making - Assess and resolve client issues using financial information, interviews, and other documentation to come up with the data necessary. Review and research multiple sources to support resolution for his/her issue. Must be able to come up with a plan of action to help the client based on one's own experience and the information available. Applies sound judgment based on experience and training in this analysis and decision making/problem resolution.

Communications - Incumbent holds responsibility for proactively promoting the SBTDC throughout the multi-county area served by this center. This includes identifying the most appropriate venues and representing the SBTDC at those meetings and conferences, establishing and growing relationships with potential sources of referrals and with prospective groups of clients. Incumbent also independently develops promotional materials and programs as deemed necessary for this region. Incumbent also represents the program nationally among industry associations as well as peer associations.

Program/Project Administration - Much of the work is technically based and requires attention to detail and deadlines. Incumbent must exercise great care and discretion in assisting the SBTDC's clients based on SBTDC policies and procedures. Absolute confidentiality of client information must be preserved. SBTDC reports must be completed in an accurate and timely manner. National certifications, such as EDFP and other professional development trainings must be kept current in order to effectively administer the program.

Leadership - The incumbent in this position is expected to be able to operate with a minimal level of supervision and instruction. He/she is required to assess the needs and benefits of various relationships, independently apply sound judgment and have broad discretion in meeting the goals and responsibilities of this position and the organization as a whole. The incumbent must have the ability to handle multiple assignments, organize work and establish priorities. The incumbent must possess and independently deploy strong skills in problem assessment and resolution and be adept at researching and reviewing lengthy and complex documents.

Bachelor's degree and one (1) year of experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

A bachelor's degree in business administration and a minimum of three years of relevant work experience, or five years of relevant work experience, is preferred. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Prior SBTDC experience is highly preferred. The ideal candidate should have broad knowledge and experience in general business principles and procedures, as well as the ability to communicate, execute, and deploy solutions to overall business issues. Business ownership or business managerial experience is required. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential. The incumbent must have the ability to handle multiple assignments, organize work, and assign priorities with minimal supervision, and must be self-motivated. Public speaking experience is preferred, and the ability to interact with large groups of people is essential.