Small Business Counselor

Are you passionate about helping entrepreneurs succeed? The EDC is hiring a Small Business Counselor will who assist business startups and existing small and mid-sized businesses with business plan development and strategy, product development, capitalization, exporting, market research, governmental contracting, conducting training workshops, and more.

This grant-funded, in-office position is a collaboration between the EDC and the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC), an initiative of the University of Missouri Extension and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

• Salary range is $60,000 to $70,000 plus competitive benefits. Master’s degree required or in process. Preferred minimum of five years of full-time experience in banking or economic development or five years of successful business ownership and business operation.

Responsibilities

• Actively reach out to small businesses to promote the services of the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the business services offered by the EDC of St. Charles County.
• Assist entrepreneurs referred from the SBDC regional and state network, the EDC 504 small business loan program, EDC Incubator facility, local banks and chambers of commerce, local economic development officials, and other stakeholders to foster business growth, job creation, and new investment in St. Charles County and metro St. Louis.
• Help entrepreneurs with overall business plan development and strategy.
• Help entrepreneurs prepare to apply for SBA 7a and SBA 504 loans.
• Help entrepreneurs develop business strategies and mitigate risks around new products, services, and/or processes.
• Coach entrepreneurs through launching new businesses and growing or diversifying mature businesses.
• Coach on topics such as exporting, product development, raising capital, and federal contracting.
• Perform in-person and remote access training workshops for groups of all sizes.
• Identify market opportunities and assist in the development of business strategies.
• Develop new services based on demonstrated client needs.
• Maintain current records of client firms, proposals, project status, and timesheets using a PC-based customer relationship management system.
• Participate in meetings and events related to small businesses in the areas served.
• Connect clients to key resources for technical and financial support.
• Facilitate sessions to help entrepreneurs develop appropriate business models, business plans, financial projections, cash flow models, marketing plans, loan packaging, core processes, and customer relationships.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis
• Identify and contact small and medium-sized businesses, assessing their needs, and proposing and delivering solutions to enhance and expand their businesses.
• Stay current with entrepreneurial trends, market opportunities, and skills training. Possess an understanding of the entrepreneurial mindset and the role entrepreneurial skills play in economic development.
• Deliver various services as required associated with federal programs and awards.
• Collaborate with other units of the EDC, the Missouri SBDC, lenders, institutions of higher learning, chambers of commerce, local economic development agencies, and partners.
• Build and maintain close professional relationships with small businesses in St. Charles County and metro St. Louis.
• Must be able to work collaboratively and effectively with partner organizations, including hosts, state, and federal resource partners.
• Develop and update high-level roadmap of business initiatives and goals.
• Modify programs to enhance the likelihood of meeting business goals.
• Balance customer requests and requirements with technical constraints.
• Meet federally mandated performance measures.
• Keep accurate records and prepare regular performance reports detailing activity, measurable results, and achievement of programmatic goals.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required or in process from an accredited four-year college or university in an appropriate field such as accounting, banking, business administration, business development, economics, entrepreneurship, finance, labor or industrial…