Job Description

Position Title: Business Consultant

Department: 9080|SBDC

Responsibilities:

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center Business Consultant fosters a strong climate for small business growth by providing in-depth, confidential, no-cost business counseling, no- to low-cost training, and resource and referral services to Louisiana's small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Small Business Counseling and Training:

* Interview and assess client needs.

* Provide counseling or e-counseling that includes feasibility, financial, regulatory, and operational guidance

and technical assistance on the various aspects of starting and expanding a successful small business

including, but not limited to:

o analyzing the specific business and industry data in finance, marketing, management and

operations,

o providing guidance in the development of business plans and financial packages; calculating

and interpreting historical and projected financial ratios;

o preparing proforma cash flow and financial statements;

o identifying problems and areas for improvement;

o providing guidance on expansion to include employment requirements, foreign markets,

government contracting, and technology commercialization;

o conducting quality-based assessments;

o providing information on federal, state, and local regulations and programs, and

o providing guidance in loan packaging to pre-venture, start-up, or existing businesses.

* Develop a resource network to be used in providing referrals to appropriate resources.

* Plan and market training on subjects relevant to small business start-up and growth.

* Recruit government, private and public entities, as well as businesses and businesspersons to provide

voluntary training.

* Evaluate programs' effectiveness and measure impact of services provided.

* Assist in the transfer of university-based knowledge to the small business community.

* Ensure timely and accurate counseling data input into Center IC client information management system.

* Other duties as assigned by the Center Director.

Program and Small Business Advocate:

* Promote the LSBDC program and advocate for small business through presentations to communities and

entities.

* Develop relationships with key stakeholders including, but not limited to, SBA, University Leadership, banks,

chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, trade groups, educational institutions,

legislators, and hosts.

* Develop appropriate advertising, promotion, and marketing materials.

Miscellaneous:

* Attend regional and state meetings and conferences as required.

* Develop and provide specific information, reports and/or special services as requested or required by the

SBA/SBDC Administrators, the SBA Business Development Specialist, and the State Director of the SBDC.

* Support area, state and federal research projects concerning small business and disseminate results to

community.

Competency Statement(s) The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or

abilities required to perform job duties at a high level.

* Leadership Skills - ability to influence, motivate, and elevate others to do more than they knew possible

as well as an ability to know when to lead and when to follow.

* Small Business Path - clear understanding of the path to take an idea or concept and develop a solid

plan to startup, stabilize, grow, or expand.

* Emotional Intelligence - ability to recognize and discern emotions to guide thinking and behavior to

adapt to dynamic environments and collaborative teams.

* Interpersonal Relations - ability to deliver exceptional customer service by exceeding the expectations

of clients, stakeholders and colleagues with every encounter.

* Consultation/Advising Skills - keen ability to effectively analyze, interpret, and coach clients from

various industries on multi-faceted business concepts to a positive outcome that directs their path to

success. Must be able to help clients with all facets of the business planning process.

* Communication Skills- knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the

meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, proper grammar, and professional etiquette. Adept

at website content management, digital marketing and social media networks and blog engagement.

* Presentation/Facilitation Skills - ability to present, facilitate and lead small and large groups with varying

level of expertise.

* Business Insight - keen ability to analyze, understand and deal with a business situation in a manner

that is likely to lead to a positive outcome.

* Personal Effectiveness/Time Management - ability to strategically utilize time and resources to manage

priorities, timelines, deadlines and details under pressure, with accuracy, and to a high level of

proficiency.

* Technical Capability -strong proficiency in fundamental office and computer equipment as well as

software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite, CIC platforms and cloud-based software applications.

* Teamwork Oriented - ability to effectively align within a collaborative effort to achieve common goals

and outcomes and work for the good of the team.

Program and Small Business Advocate:

* Adaptability - ability to modify actions, direction or approach to changing situations and expectations in

a respectful and professional manner.

The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee must have the ability to drive a vehicle to deliver and pick up materials and to attend meetings on and off campus.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

* Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or related field.

* In lieu of a degree, a minimum of five (5) years' experience in either business ownership and operations

Preferred Qualifications:

* Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or related area.

Job Ad# (req2568)

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