Small Business Advisor

City of Aurora•Aurora, CO

1d•$65,603 - $102,505•Hybrid

About The Position

The Small Business Advisor plans, develops, and coordinates professional support and assistance programs for small and emerging businesses to promote business and employment opportunities. The role provides direct advising in English and Spanish, helps businesses with plans and financing, and supports business retention, attraction, and training programs. The Advisor serves as a liaison between the City, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and small businesses, while building relationships with regional economic development organizations. The position works under a hybrid model with regular onsite presence and may require one or two days per month at a remote office in Arapahoe or Douglas County. Some evening and weekend hours are required for training sessions and networking events. The role involves sedentary work in a clean, comfortable environment, occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing, and frequent communication and document and data review. The salary is commensurate with experience; the hiring range is $65,603–$72,500 annually and the career range is $65,603–$102,505 annually.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, marketing, or a directly related field; an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
At least 5 years of experience as a small business owner or operator, or as a manager of economic development programs and/or small business development programs.
Knowledge of small business operating principles and practices, economic development, business plan design and development, commercial lending, small business loans and financing, and municipal government operations.
Knowledge of small business financials, including profit and loss statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, basic bookkeeping, licensing, and basic tax guidelines.
Skill in analyzing business financials to recommend process improvements, sales growth, funding opportunities, and future financial projections.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, training, and advising skills.
Ability to advise startup and established small businesses on planning, growth strategies, operations, and financial sustainability.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, citizens, and elected officials.
Ability to handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and fulfill goals and objectives, assess small business training needs, develop programs to meet those needs, and deliver effective workshops for small businesses and business partners.

Nice To Haves

Experience with training and facilitation.
Spanish language skills.
Experience in business acquisitions or exits (buying or selling a business).
Experience integrating AI and emerging technologies into small business operations.

Responsibilities

Provide direct advising assistance to existing and startup businesses in English and Spanish.
Assist with preparing business plans and developing financing arrangements.
Design, develop, and promote small business retention and attraction programs.
Help create, develop, and deliver small business training courses.
Serve as the City and Small Business Development Center liaison to small businesses and establish ongoing communication.
Network with community and regional economic development organizations on small business issues.
Assist in developing and accomplishing operational priorities, goals, and objectives.
Present monthly updates and create quarterly reports addressing small business trends, training needs, use of available resources, and the current lending environment.
Host and attend small business training sessions throughout Arapahoe and Douglas counties.
Maintain detailed and accurate client notes, economic impact data, and event participation records in the SBDC Network customer database.
Perform additional duties as assigned.