Business Consultant Senior

Provides business counseling and training services to small business owners, would-be entrepreneurs and to individuals and firms developing new products, technologies or markets at a senior level.

• Develops and manages clients to provide in-depth one-on-one consulting assistance to highly complex business structures in areas of strategic planning, financing, loan packaging, exporting, marketing, human resources, demographics, and other areas of management and technical support to promote small business growth, expansion and productivity.
• Assists in providing guidance, training and mentorship to Michigan clients and students.
• Develops training programs that will provide participants with the tools and knowledge that will generate business launches.
• Prepares small business clients to access capital through both traditional and non-traditional funding institutions.
• Develops relationships with small business support organizations, financial institutions, consultants, and high-level public and private sector business resource partners.
• Provides clients with comprehensive assistance in accessing specialty programs, technology commercialization, and complex government procurement processes. Maintains client records to Small Business Administration (SBA) compliance standards in the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) CRM system.
• Meet or exceed individual key performance indicators and implement strategies directed to achieve goals established in regional annual strategic plan.
• Advises on advanced business finance topics and complex financial strategies. Assists clients in determining financial needs and navigating a comprehensive array of funding sources. Develops tailored financial strategies and offers in-depth guidance on securing substantial funding for business growth.
• The Michigan SBDC is held responsible by funders to meet a certain level of hours per year and ensure a high standard of service delivery across the Michigan SBDC network. To meet these standards all full-time equivalent business consultants will meet the annual consulting and preparation hours requirement of 800 hours per year. Exceptions to this requirement will be determined by the Regional Director or direct supervisor based on roles and responsibilities that are assigned to the specific consultant.

Minimum qualifications based upon job documentation and industry best practices. Any current employees not meeting these qualifications will be grandfathered until they move to a different job.

• Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited institution.

• Five years' relevant experience
• Broad knowledge of the principles and practices of small business.
• Strong computer skills with knowledge of office software, including word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
• Experience using and querying databases Demonstrated ability to develop and analyze financial statements.
• Working knowledge of techniques used in collecting and interpreting market and demographic data.
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the industries driving the Michigan economy.
• Ability to work independently, handle multiple assignments and establish work priorities.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.

• Ability to work irregular shifts and extended hours, including weekends and holidays.
• Ability to travel to business clients throughout Southwest Michigan.

Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.

Work is generally performed in a well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors or any number of elements.

Revised: 2024-10-02