The Small Business Counselor will support the implementation and continued development of the IRC Small Business Development Program. The Small Business Counselor offers one-on-one business advising on several topics including but not limited to start-up assistance, personal and business financial literacy, business operations, sales and marketing, and more. Further, the Small Business Counselor provides direct support to individuals accessing small business loans and capital through the provision of assistance identifying financing options, preparing required documents, and navigating the funding process. The Small Business Counselor will develop, engage, and sustain relationships with key stakeholders in the local ecosystem including SBA Centers and Resource Partners, municipal small business and economic revitalization efforts, and area small business lenders.
Major Responsibilities: Include, but are not limited to:
Assist in the outreach and recruitment of program participants; screen and assess interested individuals for program eligibility and participation.
Provide one-on-one business counseling and management assistance to new and existing small businesses in all areas of business start-up and expansion.
Lead training programs on a variety of topics including business operations, accessing loans and capital, marketing and sales, taxes, and more.
Data entry in IRC and other mandated data systems to log client information, service delivery, and key outcomes such as changes in revenue and job creation.
Ensure that information required for program eligibility and reporting purposes is collected and that accurate records are maintained, including case files and client data entry across multiple databases.
Assist entrepreneurs to become ready for business financing through preparation of loan applications, business plans, and financial statements.
Underwrite and package loan applications and present them for review to the IRC’s CDFI and/or other lenders.
Proactively facilitate referrals to outside service providers as necessary to meet the diverse needs of the program participants.
Conduct individual case management and loan collections, including "off-site" technical assistance visits to the businesses or homes of program participants.
Assist in the planning and coordination of training activities and special events, especially in partnership with SBA Centers and Resource Partners, municipal small business events, and similar activities.
Develop outreach materials and assist with communication to community and partners.
May train and lead activities of support staff, volunteers, and interns.
Attend regularly scheduled meetings with other IRC staff and volunteers as part of the review, evaluation, and program maintenance process.
Other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements:
Undergraduate degree in Business Administration, Finances, Public Administration, or related field. Business experience in lieu of formal business education is acceptable.
Minimum 1 year of experience in small business development counseling and training required; minimum of 2 years’ of experience strongly preferred.
Prior experience working with immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs is strongly desired.
Excellent computer skills, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel.
Familiar with assessing business training needs and analyzing business-related materials, including financial reports, business, and marketing plans as well as conducting market research required.
Experience developing business loan packages strongly preferred.
Experience in the non-profit sector strongly preferred.
Excellent organizational, record keeping, and analytical skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Proven ability to conduct affective instructional sessions to colleagues and entrepreneurs.
Proficiency in a second language a plus.
Ability to work independently, be a self-starter and maintain responsibility for multiple tasks.
