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Business Advisor, Small Business Training Program

Wayne State University is searching for an experiencedBusiness Advisor, Small Business Training Programat its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Essential functions (job duties):

JOB PURPOSE

Advise designated scholars as to the completion of the program deliverables and the growth of their business, support the classroom environment, and link scholars to business support services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Advising

Meet with small business owners on an individual basis at least 6-8 times per program (target of approximately 1.5 – 2 hours per meeting through a combination of in-person and phone/on-line meetings) to guide business growth with the final meeting (Post Mod 9) dedicated to quality control of the growth plan and an advisor transition plan.

Curriculum Support

Assist scholars in learning how to use professional services (advisors) appropriately (preparation, discussion and debrief, and follow-up).

Work with scholars to connect them to external Business Support Services (local entrepreneurship ecosystem) as needed for specialty services.

Work with scholars to understand, collect and apply business metrics to support growth.

Assist within the classroom to coordinate group activities and support faculty.

Help scholars apply course content to their businesses.

Leads bi-weekly planning sessions (See Scholar Support System/Triple S Overview) to support scholar business growth.

Attend all modules, clinics and program events to support scholar learning.

Curriculum Participation

Participate in the national program Training Seminar with a particular focus on:

+ Advising for business growth using the program deliverables (Growth Plan).

+ Techniques for facilitating peer learning.

+ Planning and conducting individual meetings with scholars, including how to support scholars through the “Scholar Support System”.

+ Collecting and validating baseline and graduation Measurement and Evaluation tools and advancing a metric-based mindset.

+ Understanding the content and delivery approach of the curriculum.

Cohort Preparation:

+ Connect with the local partner CDFI’s as guided by the Advisement and Training Manager. Assist in scholar recruiting as directed by the Advisement and Training Manager or Outreach Director.

+ Review scholar applications as part of admission process.

+ Review accepted scholar data (applications and baseline assessment tools) to understand scholar’s individualized needs as well as the needs of the cohort.

+ Plan advising schedule and approach.

+ Work with Program Manager to create scholar profiles for program use.

+ Work with advising team to assign scholar Growth Groups.

Community Building

Participate in a quarterly call for Business Advisors with national partners (exchange of updates, best practices, new challenges, etc.).

Network with business support services to enhance the local entrepreneurship ecosystem and to advance program recruitment.

Engage in scholar alumni program events as needed.

Assessment

Participate in assessment of scholars through measurement and evaluation activities.

Participates in assessment of curriculum sessions through post session debriefings.

Participate in assessment of program through team debriefing and review process.

Other Duties as Assigned.

WORK CONTEXT

Job Reports to: Director.

Leadership Accountability: Implements operating plans.

Financial Accountability: Monitors expenditures.

Customer Accountability: Interfaces with customers outside the S/C/D.

Freedom to Act: Operates with significant autonomy.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Bachelor's degree.

Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in business, entrepreneurship, sales or related field, is required. Advanced degree preferred.

Experience

Experienced (minimum 2 years of job-related experience).

A minimum of three years successful experience in business advising for a small business clientele.

Experience in community outreach and development of program partnerships.

Experience using program / project management principles, practices, and processes.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Must have effective interpersonal and customer service skills. Must have the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally both orally and in writing.

FLEXIBILITY: Ability to work and set priorities to achieve goals and objectives. Some evening and weekend availability may be necessary. Flexibility in work schedule is necessary.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS: Ability to prepare timelines and project plans with little or no supervision/oversight. Ability to meet deadlines.

TEAMWORK: Ability to work through and with others at all organizational levels to ensure work is completed and objectives are met. Demonstrated ability to build a collaborative or team environment within assigned areas.

INTEGRITY: High personal and professional ethical standards.

School/College/Division:

H36 - VP Entrepreneurship & Economic Dev.

Primary department:

H3106 - Small Business Training Program

Employment type:

+ Regular Employee

+ Job type: Fractional Time

+ Job category: Staff/Administrative

Funding/salary information:

+ Compensation type: Annual Salary

+ Salary hire maximum: $72,000

Working conditions:

• Work is a combination of in-classroom participation, work from home, and visiting customer sites anywhere in Michigan or northern Ohio. • It must be understood that at least a major portion of your salary is being derived from grant/contract funds; that is, your appointment is specifically conditioned on subsidy. The continuation of this assignment is entirely dependent upon your satisfactory performance and upon the continuation of the subsidy. Should the subsidy be terminated or reduced, it must be understood that there is no direct, indirect, or implied commitment by the Principal Investigator, the Department, the School, or Wayne State University to continue your employment (salary and fringe benefits) beyond the cessation of, or reduction in, the subsidy. Appointments conditioned on subsidy carry no implication of continuing tenure.

Job openings:

+ Number of openings: 1

+ Reposted position: No

Background check requirements:

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.