General Business Counselor

Appalachian State University•Hickory, NC

29d•Onsite

About The Position

The NC Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) is a business advisory resource for growing and developing businesses. The SBTDC’s highly skilled professionals provide services statewide from offices hosted by campuses of The University of North Carolina System. The SBTDC operates in formal partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, making it a unique and valued asset in the economic development infrastructure of North Carolina. The SBTDC’s mission is to positively impact North Carolina’s economy by helping to grow small and mid-sized businesses and launch promising start-ups. The General Business Counselor is responsible for providing business management advisory services to SBTDC’s small and mid-sized companies.

Requirements

Broad general knowledge of the principles and practices of small businesses.
Strong computer skills, particularly with regard to word processing, developing spreadsheets, and database management.
Demonstrated ability to develop and analyze financial statements (income statement, balance sheet and cash flow).
Working knowledge of techniques used in collecting and interpreting market and demographic data.
Ability to work independently, handle multiple clients and assignments, and establish work priorities.
Excellent interpersonal and communicative skills.
Absolute confidentiality of client information must be maintained.
Bachelor's degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience.
All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in business administration, or equivalent business management / entrepreneurial experience with 2 years of relevant work experience.
In lieu of a Master’s degree, a Bachelor’s degree and 4 years of relevant work experience.
One year of experience in consulting and/or using client advisory skills.

Responsibilities

Provides one-on-one management counseling to small and mid-sized businesses.
Develops and analyzes financial statements (income statement, balance sheet and cash flow).
Collects and interprets market and demographic data.
Works independently, handles multiple clients and assignments, and establishes work priorities.
Provides significant analysis, including identifying issues, interpreting complex data and information, communicating trends and possible outcomes, organizing and evaluating research, planning and designing data collection, assisting clients in establishing goals and objectives, and making recommendations.
Uses broad discretion and professional judgment in formulating and communicating recommendations.
Maintains client relationships.
Collaborates with SBTDC and specialty advisors to address depth financial and operations needs with respect to special markets.
Refers and co-counsels with other service-providing partners in the region.
Promotes the SBTDC throughout the 14-county area served by the regional center.
Explains SBTDC programs to lenders, chamber representatives, CPAs, attorneys, city and county officials, state and federal representatives, and economic developers.
Develops and maintains relationships with partners in each county.
Promotes the programs and events of SBTDC.
Markets all services to the market segments outlined in the SBTDC Strategic Plan.
Represents SBTDC at conferences, meetings, panel discussions, special events, and other networking opportunities.
Documents all work related to clients in the assigned portfolio, including all client impact resulting from assistance provided to clients, using Center IC, the SBTDC’s CRM system.
Contributes to the center’s routine reporting of success stories, center evaluations and impact forecasting.
Completes expense reporting and other university employee tasks.
Plans and facilitates trainings and workshops offered by this SBTDC regional center.
Serves as project manager for student engagement activities which include recruiting, interviewing, selecting, and mentoring interns each semester as they assist SBTDC clients.