Assistant Director - (SBDC Business Consultant)

Clayton State University; Valdosta (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Valdosta State University seeks an experienced management professional for the SBDC Business Consultant role in the Valdosta region. The position requires delivering counseling, training, and consulting to small businesses while managing multiple projects within a grant-funded framework.

The successful candidate will apply financial analysis, budgeting, and business development expertise, travel across multiple counties, and collaborate with the Area Director to support regional economic growth.

Qualifications

• Small business experience preferred.
• Proven ability to analyze financial statements and business viability.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling and educational support to entrepreneurs, business owners, and managers in the Valdosta area.
• Develop and deliver high-quality business training programs and curricula for the local business community.
• Analyze business plans, market feasibility, financial viability, operations, and legal structures and provide actionable recommendations.
• Maintain client files and document activities in the Unity system for SBA reporting.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Problem solving

Public speaking

Counseling entrepreneurs

Education

Business degree or related field

Tools

Unity

Job description

Assistant Director - (SBDC Business Consultant)

As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities' rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia's Core Values.

Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practicecivility, integrity,andcitizenship.As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.

Civility- A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.

Integrity- Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.

Citizenship- Every Blazer has an interest in the well-being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.

As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles ofCivility, Integrity,andCitizenship.

Job Summary

The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, Valdosta office, seeks an experienced management professional with strong skills in financial analysis, business budgeting, small business lending practices, and problem solving to serve the Valdosta area as a business consultant.

A Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Business Consultant is a public service faculty position reporting to the Area Director. The person is responsible for providing counseling and delivering programs to individuals, businesses, communities, and organizations in their assigned geographic territory. This charge requires a broad base of business knowledge, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously. These duties require the integration of business theory and practice, thus necessitating professional development activities. Multi-county travel is required.

Join an environment that has been named by Georgia Trend as a Best Place to Work. Our team consists of a well-respected and collaborative group of professionals committed to using their areas of expertise to enhance the economic well-being of the small business community. As a trusted Business Consultant, you will enjoy applying your knowledge to help small business clients reach their goals by providing a wide range of educational and consulting services. We are looking for trusted consultants who have a passion to serve and a desire to make a positive impact on the small business community.

Grant Funded Position

This is a grant funded position; therefore, the university will incur no salary obligation beyond funding derived from this source. This position will continue as long as adequate funds are available.

Responsibilities

Provide high-quality individual instruction and educational support to entrepreneurs, business owners, and business managers. Analyze situations, make recommendations, and educate clients regarding business plans, market feasibility, financial viability, operations management, and legal structures, to name a few topics. Maintain an appropriate level and mix of clients as noted by annual goals and strategic plan objectives. Responsible for developing and refining a consulting practice that yields impactful results.

Develop and deliver high-quality business training programs that are responsive to the needs of the business community served. Generate curricula for business programs, seminars, conferences, etc. for the local business interests.

Determine and initiate, topics, agendas, instructors, instructional materials, location, time and other resources required. Create and produce instructional materials. Serve as an instructor of business training programs and secure qualified outside instructors, as needed. Effectively market business training programs within assigned communities, to meet annual goals.

In addition to maintaining a broad base of business knowledge, develop specific and relevant areas of expertise within the arena of business development. Apply this knowledge through development and delivery of new training programs, consulting tools, research projects, co-consulting and/or other impact measures.

Direct clients to other appropriate sources of business information and assistance. Disseminate pertinent information to the business community via various media.

Serve as an advocate of business development, expansion and retention in the area, thereby becoming a visible leader in the local business community. Work collaboratively with private-sector businesses, other economic development assistance units of the University System, and other units of State Government to further the economic well-being of Georgia's citizens.

Engage in public relations activities such as speeches, presentations, active committee participation, and direct discussions. Relevant audiences include bankers, colleges and universities, chambers of commerce, economic development authorities, downtown development organizations, government agencies, local political offices, civic organizations, local media and potential program sponsors.

Assist in the continued development, implementation, and updating of the organization's strategic plan. Ensure that organizational goals and objectives are accomplished in a timely and thorough manner. Work with colleagues to develop and deploy annual action and marketing plans that align with the organizational strategic plan, are tailored to meeting the specific small business needs within the assigned geography and capitalize on the skills of SBDC personnel. Prepare and execute individual work plans, including professional development initiatives, which align with area office objectives.

Support organizational improvement efforts through active involvement with internal committees, center reviews, special projects, and various assessments as directed by the state office.

Actively participate in the development and execution of sponsorship acquisition strategies in support of area office and state goals. Initiate co-sponsorship of programs with private businesses, economic development organizations, and other government entities. Seek and apply for grants relevant to entrepreneurship and business development.

Document activities via electronic information system (Unity) in a timely, accurate, and comprehensive manner. Maintain client files as per SBA and SBDC guidelines. Provide impact information for required SBA reporting, including but not limited to success stories.

Perform all responsibilities efficiently and effectively within the assigned area of office. Ensure that administrative policies are followed, that programs are innovative and responsive, and that top quality services are delivered.

Utilize client and management feedback in striving for continuous improvement. Maintain positive, professional relations with other institutions.

Represent the Area Director when required.

For a candidate to be successful in this position:

Small business experience, and

A degree in business or a related fieldis necessary.

Typical Allocation of Duties:

Assist in plans and goals development - 30%
Assist in developing and implementing plans and goals for the department or unit.
Assist in daily operations - 25%
Work with the Director or Associate Director to coordinate and supervise daily operations. Supervise assigned department staff. Participate in the provision of professional services as required.
Compliance - 15%
Ensure compliance with regulations, standards, and internal policies.
Data analysis - 15%
Analyze data, prepares reports, and implements necessary changes to existing procedures.
Coordinate departmental participation - 10%
Coordinate the participation of the department/unit at internal and external functions.
Participate in meetings - 5%
Participate in administrative