Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment Developer

Adapt-Community-Network; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

ADAPT Community Network seeks an Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment Developer in New York to help people with disabilities explore business ideas, build plans, and launch income-generating activities aligned with their goals.

The role focuses on coaching, business planning, marketing, and community partnerships, with travel across New York City to support clients. Strong collaboration and person-centered approaches are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, vocational rehabilitation, business, education, social work, psychology, disability services, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in supported employment, vocational services, workforce development, entrepreneurship, small business development, disability services, or community-based program development preferred.
• Experience supporting people with intellectual, developmental, physical, or communication disabilities preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identifies people supported who may pursue self-employment, micro-enterprise, consulting, or non-traditional employment.
• Conducts person-centered discovery to understand interests, strengths, and goals.
• Develops individualized business plans with pricing, startup needs, and milestones.
• Coaches in business readiness, communication, money management, marketing, and more.
• Supports visibility through social media, online marketplaces, and vendor opportunities.
• Builds partnerships with internal teams and community partners.

Skills

Coaching

Communication

Organization

Documentation

Relationship building

English literacy

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services or related field

Experience in supported employment or entrepreneurship

Job description

Description

ADAPT Community Network is looking for an Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment Developer who can help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities explore their talents, build small business ideas, and create meaningful pathways to income, independence, and community connection.

If you understand how to develop a small business, coach someone through an idea, think creatively about marketing, and believe that everyone deserves the chance to build something of their own, this role may be for you!

Why Join ADAPT?

It's more than a job; it's a calling. It's where passion meets purpose. ADAPT Community Network, formerly United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of NYC provides a multitude of services to people with developmental disabilities. At ADAPT, we are 3,000 strong, and it takes every one of us to empower the lives of the people we support. With caring and great resources at hand, we know what it takes to help people live fuller, happier, healthier lives. Our employees show their commitment to the people we support every day, and we all deliver on our promise to provide innovative and comprehensive services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Coordinator of Operations and Supported Employment leadership team, the Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment Developer is responsible for developing, coordinating, and supporting person-centered self-employment, micro-enterprise, consulting, and entrepreneurship opportunities for people supported. This position assists individuals to explore business ideas, develop realistic business plans, build skills, access supports, launch pilot opportunities, and sustain meaningful income-generating activities that align with their employment goals, interests, strengths, and support needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities of the Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment Developer will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Identifies people supported who may be interested in self-employment, micro-enterprise, consulting, creative business, or non-traditional employment opportunities.
• Conducts person-centered discovery to understand each individual’s interests, strengths, talents, communication style, support needs, preferred work routines, and employment goals.
• Develops individualized business plans that include the business concept, target customers, pricing, startup needs, support plan, marketing strategy, benefits considerations, risk factors, and measurable milestones.
• Provides coaching in business readiness, communication, customer service, scheduling, money management, product development, quality control, marketing, technology use, and follow-through.
• Supports individuals in safely and professionally developing visibility through appropriate social media, online marketplace, digital storytelling, community showcase, or vendor opportunities.
• Builds partnerships with internal departments, local businesses, community organizations, markets, creative spaces, accessibility partners, technology partners, and other potential collaborators.
• Coordinates with Supported Employment, Day Habilitation, Residential, Smart Living Center, TechWorks, clinical, finance, human resources, quality, and compliance teams as needed.
• Ensures entrepreneurship and self-employment activities are connected to the person’s employment goals, service plan, business plan, documentation, and measurable outcomes.
• Maintains accurate records, progress summaries, business plan updates, coaching notes, partnership trackers, and outcome reports.
• Assists with staff training, referral tools, coaching guides, and program materials that support consistent identification and development of self-employment opportunities.
• Track and evaluate program outcomes to identify opportunities to entrepreneurship and improve self-employment services.
• Keeps abreast of developments in supported employment, entrepreneurship, self-employment, customized employment, accessibility, technology, and community-based business opportunities.
• Performs other related duties as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, vocational rehabilitation, business, education, social work, psychology, disability services, or a related field preferred.
• Experience in supported employment, vocational services, workforce development, entrepreneurship, small business development, disability services, or community-based program development preferred.
• Experience supporting people with intellectual, developmental, physical, or communication disabilities preferred.
• Experience with social media, online marketplaces, product sales, community events, vendor fairs, digital media, accessibility consulting, or creative enterprise models preferred.
• Familiarity with OPWDD services, SEMP documentation, person-centered planning, benefits planning, or employment-first practices preferred.
• Knowledge of small business development, entrepreneurship, self-employment, job development, or customized employment practices.
• Ability to help individuals move from idea development to planning, launch, and ongoing support.
• Strong coaching, communication, organization, documentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to develop accessible tools, plain-language materials, and person-centered business planning resources.
• Understanding marketing, customer engagement, basic pricing, online visibility, and community partnership development.
• Commitment to dignity, choice, inclusion, disability rights, economic self-determination, and meaningful community-based employment.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with people supported, families, staff, community partners, and leadership.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Travel across the five boroughs of New York City may be required.

COMPENSATION: $60,000 - $65,000 Annually + Industry-Leading Benefits for all full-time employees.

At ADAPT, we value diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging. We strive to ensure that our employees are comfortable bringing their whole, authentic self to work and that the people we support can also be their authentic selves. We value diverse backgrounds, opinions, ideas, and ways of thinking. We aim to build an inclusive and diverse workforce that is empowered and supported with leaders who create diverse and inclusive teams. We continuously seek opportunities for the organization to foster a more positive, respected, united, and collaborative culture.

ADAPT Community Network is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Qualified candidates of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds and status are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.