Innovative Consultant -SMB Business Operations / Management Fall 2026
About The Position
Cogent Analytics seeks an experienced consultant to help small business clients improve financial and organizational performance. The role manages a portfolio of 5–6 clients in a hybrid consulting model, acting as a hands-on strategic coach and operational leader. After learning Cogent’s methodology and client approach, the consultant works with clients to execute operational and sales methods, drive urgent change, improve liquidity, and monitor financial performance and KPIs. The position collaborates with internal teams including PATs, Accounting, Marketing, Recruiting, and BD PD. The role requires approximately three days of domestic travel per week, with remote client work on non-travel days. The posting also states that travel to client sites across the U.S. may be required Sunday through Friday. New Project Directors begin as 1099 contractors for a minimum of 90 days, after which successful contractors may be reviewed for transition to a full-time W-2 employee role with comprehensive benefits. Compensation is based on billable client work, with travel covered by the company.
Requirements
- Minimum 7–10 years of consulting or equivalent experience, such as business ownership, executive leadership, or multi-unit management, with a proven record of measurable results and operational and financial improvement.
- Demonstrated experience managing projects and client relationships with strategic, financial, and operational accountability.
- Strong financial literacy, including the ability to analyze and improve performance across P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow.
- Ability to travel Sunday through Friday to client sites across the United States.
- Authorization to work in the United States.
- Advanced computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office, financial software, dashboards, CRMs, and project management tools.
- Valid driver’s license and current auto insurance.
- Project management and client-engagement skills, including use of internal project management tools and integration of strategy with client management.
- Ability to identify root causes and offer practical solutions, including when addressing emotional topics.
- Change-management skills, including communicating changes, building consensus, monitoring transitions, and evaluating results.
- Experience leading teams and managing across multiple departments; ability to inspire trust, motivate others, and embrace feedback.
- Coaching and development skills, including identifying skill gaps, conducting role plays, coaching role plays, driving urgency, and explaining decisions.
- Ability to use dashboards, reports, and KPIs to manage performance across organizational levels.
- Ability to assess business health through balance sheets and company performance through P&L.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with clients, their staff, and colleagues.
- Ability to collaborate with Project Directors, Performance Analysts, Project Administrators, and ProServ teams, including Abacus, Marketing, Business Development, and Recruiting.
- Conflict-management skills, including empathy, communicating differing perspectives, and finding constructive, policy-aligned solutions.
- Commitment to client-first service, integrity, honesty, collaboration, constructive challenge, and diversity.
Nice To Haves
- Experience managing budgets of $10 million or more.
- Previous business ownership.
Responsibilities
- Deliver quantifiable and sustainable client value, improving income statements, balance sheets, cash flow, and quality of life.
- Lead the development, implementation, training, and evaluation of business solutions addressing client challenges.
- Identify, oversee, and communicate scope of work, timelines, and deliverables in coordination with the assigned Assistant Director or Senior Project Director.
- Manage the full client relationship from opportunity origination through project completion and review.
- Complete administrative duties, including invoicing and reporting, accurately and on time.
- Drive organizational and behavioral change with clients and improve business performance by monitoring KPIs and finances.
- Collaborate with internal teams, including PATs, Accounting, Marketing, Recruiting, and BD PD.
- Develop debt-reduction strategies and improve client liquidity and business profitability.
Benefits
- Comprehensive benefits may be available upon successful review and transition to a full-time W-2 employee role after the minimum 90-day contractor period.
- Travel is covered by the company.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
