Business Advisor, Small Business Development Center

Research Foundation of The City University of New York•New York, NY

23h•Onsite

About The Position

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at LaGuardia Community College, part of the New York SBDC network, provides business advising, training, and technical assistance to small businesses. Supported by the SBA, SUNY, and LaGuardia Community College, the Center assists entrepreneurs in starting, operating, and growing their businesses through no-cost one-on-one advising, workshops, and outreach. The LaGuardia SBDC also oversees an Outreach Center at Queens College, supporting business creation, job retention, and regional economic development. The Center seeks candidates who can effectively serve multilingual communities, particularly Spanish and Mandarin-speaking entrepreneurs.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Management, Entrepreneurship, or a related field required; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
Minimum of five years of substantive experience in business ownership, small business consulting, commercial lending, financial advisory, corporate operations, or economic development.
Demonstrated experience advising or supporting businesses on business planning, financial analysis, access to capital, and operational strategy.
Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret financial statements and develop financial projections.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ability to manage multiple client engagements simultaneously and maintain accurate documentation.
Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive client information.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends.
This is an in-person position.

Nice To Haves

MBA or advanced degree in a relevant field preferred.
Bilingual preferred (Spanish, Mandarin, or Korean).
Experience owning or managing a small business preferred.
Background in commercial banking, SBA lending, CDFI lending, or credit analysis preferred.
Experience delivering training or workshops for business audiences preferred.
Experience working with publicly funded small business support programs or economic development initiatives preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide confidential one-on-one advisement to entrepreneurs and small business owners on matters related to business start-up, stabilization, growth, and expansion.
Assist clients with the development of business plans, financial projections, and loan packages to support financing applications.
Provide guidance on financial management practices including cash flow analysis, pricing strategies, and financial statement interpretation.
Support clients in identifying opportunities to increase revenue through marketing strategies, operational improvements, and digital tools.
Assist businesses in identifying procurement and contracting opportunities at the federal, state, and local levels.
Conduct industry and market research using SBDC network resources to provide clients with relevant market intelligence.
Plan and deliver workshops, seminars, and orientation sessions for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Build relationships with community organizations, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, and economic development partners to expand outreach and referrals.
Collaborate with the Center Director and staff to increase awareness of SBDC services across Queens.
Represent the SBDC at community events, business conferences, and partner convenings.
Maintain accurate client records in accordance with New York SBDC Network reporting requirements.
Document client outcomes including capital accessed, jobs created or retained, and business expansion milestones.
Maintain awareness of federal, state, and local regulations affecting small businesses and provide guidance to clients when appropriate.
Perform additional duties related to center operations and client services as assigned.