Business Consultant

Provides counseling, training, research and technical assistance services to small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and those developing new products or markets.

• Manages a client pipeline and helps moderately complex businesses and management to support small business growth and productivity.
• Assists in providing guidance, training, and mentorship to Michigan’s Small Business Development Center clients. May develop training programs to provide participants tools and knowledge that will generate business launches.
• Prepares small business clients to access capital through both traditional and non-traditional funding institutions. Assists with preparing business loan packages, advanced business plans, and other documents as required.
• Develops and Maintains relationships with small business support organizations, financial institutions, consultants, and high-level public and private sector business resource partners. Assists clients with advanced needs such as export support and government procurement opportunities
• Advises clients on intermediate business finance topics and more complex financial needs.
• Assists clients in identifying and applying for a broader range of funding sources. Provides detailed guidance on venture capital and angel investment opportunities.
• Establishes and maintains detailed electronic records of client assistance in the customer relationship management software in accordance with the United States Small Business Administration and Michigan Small Business Development Center policies and procedures.
• Obtains established metrics and economic impact goals of one-on-one high quality consulting hours.
• Oversees an inclusive client portfolio to ensure timely attendance at appointments, meaningful progress through next steps, and effective follow-ups to build client relationships and capture impact validation.

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.

• Three years' relevant experience.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• General knowledge of the principals and practices of small business.
• Experience with office software, including word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
• Experience using and querying databases.
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the industries driving the Michigan economy.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and establish work priorities.

• 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: 2024-09-13