Position Summary: Business Consultant – MI-SBDC West Region

The Michigan Small Business Center (SBDC) at Grand Valley State University is looking to add a full-time Business Consultant to its West Michigan Regional Team to help small businesses launch, grow, transition, and innovate. Responsibilities include providing one-on-one consulting to a client portfolio of individuals/groups seeking assistance in the formation or expansion of a small business venture, delivering training programs, assisting with secondary market research, and maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of financing options and business support resources.

This position is grant-funded and is contingent upon the receipt of funds sufficient to support the position. Bachelor’s degree in business or related field with two or more years of relevant business experience is required, along with strong communication & presentation skills and a demonstrated proficiency with business software programs. Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus.

Visit our Web site at GVSU Careers for more information, additional requirements, a full description of the position, and details on how to apply. Grand Valley State University is an EOE which includes protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Primary Duties:

• Provides in-depth, one-on-one consulting assistance to a portfolio of pre-venture, startup, and existing business owners.
• Provides help with developing business and strategic plans, marketing strategies, cashflow projections & analysis, financing packages, and other such projects as required.
• Provides advice on filing business documents, personnel issues, operational issues, and other management challenges as needed.
• Builds and maintains relationships with small business support organizations, financial institutions, consultants, and other public and private sector business resource partners who have the ability to assist SBDC clients.
• Develops and delivers SBDC workshops to pre-venture and existing business owners as needed on business start-up fundamentals and other relevant business topics.
• Maintains an up-to-date knowledge of SBA loan products and other traditional and nontraditional small business financing options.
• Establishes and maintains detailed electronic records of client assistance in the SBDC’s client relationship management system in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Obtains assigned metrics of consulting hours and economic impact targets.
• Performs other duties as required/assigned by manager.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing/sales, accounting/finance, or related field.
• Two or more years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in managing multiple client projects.
• Proficient in utilizing a range of business software for communication, document management, and customer relationship tasks.
• Demonstrated time management, communication, and presentation skills.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Master’s degree in business, marketing/sales, accounting/finance, or related field.
• Three or more years of relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations or communities.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Salary and Benefits: Minimum starting salary of $50,000. This position is grant funded and is contingent upon the receipt of funds sufficient to support the position. Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

Sponsorship Disclosure: Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

How to Apply: Apply online at GVSU Careers to be considered; applicants must upload the following (in PDF format) to the online application:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Three professional references' names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses.
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• Applicants selected for in person interviews will be required to submit official transcripts prior to the interview.
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• If you have questions or need assistance, call Human Resources at 616-331-2215. Questions about this position may be directed to Ian Rogers, the search committee chair (rogersia@gvsu.edu or 616-331-7262).

Application Deadline: Application review begins October 29, 2024. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.