Advisor, Entrepreneur and Business Center

Joliet Junior College•Joliet, IL

21d•$27 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

The Advisor, Entrepreneur and Business Center meets with small business owners and prospective owners to gather and analyze information, develop recommendations to improve business success, and prepare written summaries of findings and recommended actions. The position promotes the start-up, growth, and expansion of small businesses by providing consultation, technical assistance, training, and workshops. It also tracks and reports client progress and represents the college at community meetings as requested. The role provides support across marketing, web design, social media, management, finance and accounting, regulation and taxation, production and operations, office automation, and computers. The Advisor develops or analyzes business plans and loan strategies, maintains professional referral networks, serves as a liaison to financial and economic development organizations, and supports the creation and delivery of training programs. The position also assesses district business needs, manages a pool of clients, and maintains client records and CRM activity. Duties are performed indoors in a usual office environment, with local travel and evening or weekend work as demand requires.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Marketing, or a related area.
Three years of experience in marketing, business, finance, or a related field.
Knowledge of running professional seminars and networking events.
Demonstrated experience in sales, marketing, writing contracts, and negotiation.
Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple activities simultaneously; strong marketing orientation and experience with marketing venues, including web-based tools.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; good platform and instructional skills.
Ability to work effectively with clients and business customers; entrepreneurial, performance-driven, customer-focused, and learner-centered approach, with the ability to sell and negotiate to achieve mutual goals.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within the college and community, demonstrating cultural competence and emotional intelligence.
Demonstrated commitment to the college’s core values: respect and inclusion, sustainability, integrity, collaboration, humor and well-being, innovation, and quality.
Access to transportation for local travel and ability to travel between campus locations and to community events.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Marketing, or a related area.
Experience in business, marketing, web design, social media marketing, finance, and accounting.
English and Spanish verbal and written communication proficiency.
Demonstrated multicultural competence.

Responsibilities

Provide consultation assistance in marketing, web design, social media, management, finance and accounting, regulation and taxation, production and operations, office automation, computers, and other areas that support small business growth.
Develop and analyze business plans and loan structuring strategies; establish and maintain referral networks of professionals for client follow-up assistance.
Serve as liaison to financial institutions, economic development groups, lending sources, and chambers of commerce.
Develop training proposals, define deliverables and costs, present proposals to company representatives, oversee or monitor training program development, advise on consultant and trainer contract negotiations, and monitor training delivery and instructional quality.
Conduct or facilitate workshops and coordinate entrepreneurial activities, including curriculum and seminars.
Develop and maintain client control records in accordance with policies and procedures.
Provide technical assistance regarding alternative business financing, including Community Development Corporations and revolving loan funds.
Provide technical assistance on state and federal initiatives, including modernization, the Small Business Administration loan process, and Small Business Innovative Research.
Assess district business needs through focus groups, informational seminars, surveys, and field research; synthesize and reevaluate strategic planning and support a market-driven approach.
Manage a pool of business clients, proactively address their needs and requests, maintain CRM activity, and report activities and success stories.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Represent the college at community meetings as requested.