Business Advisor

YWCA Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A non-profit organization in Hamilton is seeking a skilled Business Advisor to provide business skills training to women and gender diverse entrepreneurs. You will offer personalized advice and practical resources to help them overcome barriers and develop their businesses. This role requires strong communication and coaching skills, as well as experience in managing entrepreneurship programs. The organization values inclusivity and a feminist framework, encouraging applications from diverse communities.

Benefits

On-the-job training and professional development opportunities

Childcare discounts

Opportunities to get involved in our community

A competitive total rewards package

Qualifications

• Experience working in entrepreneurship programs with facilitation and coaching clients.
• Experience running your own business and understanding day-to-day operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide business skills training and personalized advice to entrepreneurs.
• Assist women to establish and grow their businesses.
• Develop and update curriculum based on research and trends.

Skills

Business start-up and business management skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Coaching, counselling and case management skills

Proficient in MS Office software

Bilingual in English/French

Education

Completion of 2 years' college in Business Administration or equivalent

Tools

Webinar software

Job description

Who We Are

Founded in 1889, YWCA Hamilton is known as one of Hamilton’s original social innovators and works from a feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive framework. We are dedicated to strengthening women’s and girl’s voices, broadening their choices, building dynamic leadership and providing essential services that promote safe, inclusive and equitable communities.

YWork for us?

At YWCA Hamilton, we are intentional about fostering a workplace culture that values positive physical and emotional well‑being through our values of Intersectional Feminism, People Centered, Belonging, Responsibility, and Partnerships. We invest in our employees so that we can bring our values into the communities in which we live. We offer our employees:

• On-the-job training and professional development opportunities
• Childcare discounts
• Opportunities to get involved in our community
• A competitive total rewards package

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of women, children, and families every day, we would love for you to join our team!

Position Description

Job Code: 1-MWE-2025

Department: Centre of Innovation

Reports to: Business Advisory Manager, PowerUp

Location: Hamilton, ON

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours / week

Contract Start Date: TBD

Contract End Date: March 31st, 2026

Posting Date: December 3rd, 2025

Responsible for providing business skills training, personalized business advice and guidance, mentoring, practical business resources and innovative ways to support women and gender diverse entrepreneurs to develop the skills, mindset, financing and networks they need to realize their business potential and close gaps that are barriers to success. Assists women who want to establish and grow their businesses primarily in Hamilton, Halton, Burlington, Guelph, Niagara, Kitchener‑Waterloo and Cambridge, and the rest of Southwestern Ontario virtually.

Key Responsibilities

• Consults with clients/participants to help entrepreneurs prepare their business plans, identify rules and regulations that could impact their business, understand government and private sector programs that apply to their business, provide support to access grants and other lending resources and advise clients to start or scale up their own small business;
• Performs intakes and assessments with potential entrepreneurs;
• Works with Manager to develop & update curriculum to respond to new research, best practices, trends and advancements in business and the entrepreneurship sector;
• Provides coaching and advice on all activities related to business start‑up and expansion;
• Documents issues, challenges and any special cases, making recommendations to Manager;
• Facilitates and arranges subject matter experts for training of clients/participants and networking;
• Coordinates webinars and online spaces for teaching and networking with participants;
• Engages with program partners and community stakeholders (e.g. accountants, lawyers, Insurance Bureau of Canada, financial institutions, Innovation programs, etc.);
• Supports YWCA Hamilton spaces and online platforms for entrepreneurs to launch or expand their business (e.g. e‑commerce site, Business Out of the Box);
• Performs administrative functions including documentation, filing, data entry, participant trackers;
• Outreach to service providers, banks and other funding organizations to support entrepreneurs to secure funding to start their own business;
• Promotes and markets the Entrepreneurial Programs; working with the Business Advisory Manager, PowerUp and Economic Development;
• Reviews and evaluates results and recommendations from participants and stakeholders; shares program outcomes with Manager and stakeholders;
• Nurtures and maintains relationships with community stakeholders and leverages existing external programs to expand opportunities for participants to develop their businesses;
• Connects and assists in building strong and positive relationships with participants in a cohesive and respectful environment;
• Works with limited pieces of client confidential data and ensures that such data is stored in accordance with YWCA policies;
• Maintains accurate records/statistics and evaluation information related to the activities undertaken/outcomes achieved; reporting results to Manager;
• Understands emerging trends, leading practices, industry professional standards; and focuses on providing relevant information and supports for women and gender diverse entrepreneurs;
• Works safely reports all workplace hazards and Occupational Health and Safety Act and participates in annual health and safety training provided by the YWCA;
• Works in accordance with the YWCA Hamilton’s policies and procedures;
• Supports YWCA Hamilton’s mission, vision and values;
• Performs other duties as required.

Working Conditions

• Works 37.50 hours work week;
• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required;
• Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Completion of 2 years’ college in Business Administration, Commerce or equivalent;
• Business start‑up and business management skills are required;
• Must have experience working in entrepreneurship programs with facilitation and coaching clients;
• Experience running your own business and understanding the day to day operation of a business;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including facilitation and training and development;
• Must have excellent coaching, counselling and case management skills;
• Proficient in MS office software programs;
• Must be able to navigate webinar software to implement online training and provide e‑commerce website support;
• Ability to work occasional evening and weekends; ability to attend networking events;
• Must have access to a motor vehicle and possess a valid G driver’s license;
• Must have current Emergency First Aid and CPR C certificate or willingness to obtain at own cost;
• Must provide a current Criminal Record and Judicial Matters Police Check or willingness to obtain at own cost;
• Must be able to work from a feminist, anti‑racist/anti‑oppressive perspective and apply an intersectional, gender lens to entrepreneurship;
• Must be bilingual in English/French.

As part of YWCA Hamilton’s commitment to Access and Equity, we strive to represent the diverse communities that we serve. Individuals who are women, First Nations, Métis, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQ2S+; individuals with disabilities; and individuals from racialised communities or other marginalised communities are encouraged to apply.

Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process. Please inform us of any accommodation requests.

Please Note :Personal information collected during the recruitment process will only be used for employment opportunities only in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. Only applications from individuals eligible to work in Canada will be considered.

Thank you for your interest in YWCA Hamilton. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.