General Business Counselor

Description:

Duties include but are not limited to:
Counseling 55%

This position provides one-on-one management counseling to small and mid-sized businesses. Requires significant analysis including but not limited to identifying issues, interpreting complex data and information, communicating trends and possible outcomes, organizing and evaluating research, planning and designing data collection, assisting client in establishing goals and objectives, and making recommendations. Incumbent must use broad discretion and professional judgment in formulating and communicating recommendations. Significance of decision making ability is very high. Maintaining client relationship is very important. Significance and impact to client management is high. Absolute confidentiality of client information must be maintained. Both the SBTDC and its clients are directly affected by the quality of service provided through this position. Errors or failure to exercise care in advising clients could cause irreparable harm. This counselor collaborates with SBTDC, specialty advisers to address in depth financial and operations needs with respect to special markets. Referrals and co-counseling may also occur with other economic development partners in the region.

Marketing and Outreach 25%

This position has the responsibility for promoting the SBTDC throughout the 12 county area served by the regional center. This includes explaining SBTDC programs to lenders, chamber representatives, CPA’s, attorneys, city and county officials, state and federal representatives, and economic developers. Developing and maintaining these relationships is essential as this network of partners in each county is crucial to our continued success. Additional duties include promoting the programs and events of SBTDC, and marketing all services to the market segments outlined in the SBTDC Strategic Plan. Counselor represents SBTDC at conferences, meetings, panel discussions, special events, and other networking opportunities deemed appropriate both throughout our 12-county region and at the University.

Administrative 12%

This counselor is responsible for timely documentation of all work related to clients in their portfolio, to include all client impact resulting from assistance provided to clients. This is performed electronically using MARS, or MIS system. Outreach reports are compiled and submitted each month and incorporated into regional center quarterly reports. This counselor is also responsible for writing their client success stories for our quarterly regional center reports and SBTDC Annual Reports. Counselor contributes to program evaluations undertaken by the SBTDC each quarter.

Training 5%

This position has the responsibility for planning and facilitating workshops offered by this SBTDC regional center. This counselor will help teach “How to Start a Business” workshops and “Boots to Business” workshops as needed.

Student engagement 3%

This counselor will assist in recruiting, interviewing, selecting, and mentoring interns each semester as they provide assistance to SBTDC clients. Student engagement includes work with ECU Small Business Institute teams, Strategic Management teams, Duke summer interns, and graduate business interns.

Contingent upon the availability of funds.

Minimum Education/Experience

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.