Grant Specialist (Business Advisor)

Txstate; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 37,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plans

Job summary

Texas State University’s Office of Human Resources seeks a Business Advisor, Marketing & Market Research to help small-business clients make data-based decisions for sustainable growth. You will provide confidential one-on-one advising, translate client goals and market data into action plans, and deliver workshops and training.

You will collaborate with community partners, maintain client records in Neoserra, and support center projects to improve services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, Management, Public Administration, Education, or related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in marketing, market research, business development, consulting, or related field; master’s may substitute for one year.
• Experience applying quantitative and qualitative research methods, data analysis, and performance measurement.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and meet deadlines.
• Experience in consulting, advisory, account management, or client services with direct client work.
• Willingness to complete advisor certification and development requirements of SBDC network.

Responsibilities

• Provide confidential one-on-one advising on marketing strategy, customer acquisition, branding, market research, sales growth, and business planning.
• Assess client needs and develop practical action plans covering audiences, value propositions, go-to-market strategies, and channels.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis; translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Help clients develop marketing plans and performance measures to track results.
• Deliver workshops, webinars, and presentations on marketing, market research, and growth topics.
• Build relationships with partners; represent the SBDC at events; connect clients with resources.
• Maintain accurate client records in Neoserra and work toward center performance goals.
• Manage projects and contribute to tools and process improvements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Client relations

Market research

Data analysis

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications or related field

Master’s degree may substitute for 1 year experience

Tools

Neoserra CRM

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Opportunities at Texas State University

Job Type

Full-Time

Funding Source

Grant

Compensation (Monthly Salary or Hourly Rate)

$3,333.33- $4,800

Job Category

Exempt

Required Qualifications: Applicants must specifically address how they meet these required qualifications to meet the requirements of the position.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in BusinessAdministration, Marketing, Communications, Management, PublicAdministration, Education, or a related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in marketing, market research, business development, consulting, or a related field. A master’s degree in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• Experience applying quantitative and qualitative research methods, data analysis, and performance measurement to develop business or marketing recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff, university departments, community partners, and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, maintain confidentiality, and meet deadlines.
• Experience in consulting, advisory, account management, or client services, including working directly with clients, customers, business owners, and internal and external stakeholders to identify needs, manage relationships, and deliver effective solutions.
• Willingness to complete the advisor certification and professional development requirements of the SBDC network.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, MarketingResearch, Data Analytics, or a related business or data-focused discipline.
• Experience collecting and analyzing performance data to evaluate outcomes and support strategic decision-making.
• Experience conducting market research, competitive analysis, or business analysis and using findings to develop recommendations.
• Experience developing and implementing marketing, growth, brand, go-to-market, or market-entry strategies.
• Experience managing projects from initial concept through planning, execution, and completion.
• Experience working with Small Business Development Centers ( SBDC ), SBA -funded programs, or other federally or state-funded initiatives.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, andOutlook), data analytics and visualization tools, marketing research databases, and customer relationship management ( CRM ) systems such as Neoserra.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to prepare reports, correspondence, promotional materials, and presentations.
• Bilingual or multilingual communication skills are preferred.

Job Description

Under the general direction of the SBDC Director, the Business Advisor,Marketing & Market Research applies market research, data analysis, and marketing methods to help small-business clients make data-based decisions and achieve sustainable growth.The Business Advisor provides confidential one-on-one advising to an assigned caseload of clients, translating client goals, market research, and business data into clear recommendations and practical action plans. The position also delivers workshops and training, works with community partners, maintains client records in Neoserra, and assists with center projects that improve how the SBDC serves clients.This position combines client advising, marketing, market research, data analysis, and training. Success requires the ability to build trust with clients, analyze business challenges, develop data-based recommendations, facilitate productive discussions, and help clients carry plans through to implementation. The Business Advisor reports to the SBDC Director (ordesignee), works independently on an assigned client caseload within established SBDC policies and SBA program requirements, and has no supervisory responsibilities.

Job Duties

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide confidential, one-on-one advising on marketing strategy, customer acquisition, branding, market research, sales growth, and business planning, with an emphasis on product-based businesses ( CPG , manufacturing, retail, and food and beverage).
• Assess client needs and develop practical action plans covering target audiences, value propositions, go-to-market strategies, and sales and distribution channels.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis, analyze client data, and translate findings into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Help clients develop marketing plans and performance measures to prioritize spending and track results.
• Deliver workshops, webinars, and presentations on marketing, market research, and business growth topics.
• Build relationships with community, industry, lending, government, and university partners; represent the SBDC at events; and connect clients with specialized resources.
• Maintain accurate client records in Neoserra and work toward center performance goals (e.g., advising hours, capital accessed, jobs created or retained, and new business starts).
• Manage assigned projects and contribute tools and process improvements that strengthen center services.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Scope of Responsibility

• The Business Advisor reports to the SBDC Director (or designee), works independently on an assigned client caseload within established SBDC policies and SBA program requirements, and has no supervisory responsibilities.

Additional Information to Applicants

Job Open Date

11/11/2026

Job Close Date (posting closes at midnight)

11/15/2026

No

Normal Work Days

Normal Work Hours Start 8:00AM

Normal Work Hours End 5:00PM

Posting Notices

Applicant must have a valid Texas Driver's License and be a driver in good standing with less than ten (10) points deducted for driving infractions as determined by the employer driving standards system.

Legal and Required Notices

Texas State University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal or state law in employment, educational programs, and activities and admissions.
Employment with Texas State University is contingent upon the outcome of record checks and verifications including, but not limited to, criminal history, driving records, education records, employment verifications, reference checks, and employment eligibility verifications.

In accordance with federal law, all new employees must complete the Form I-9 and provide acceptable documentation verifying their identity and authorization to work in the United States. Texas State University participates in E-Verify, and employment is contingent upon the successful verification of work authorization. Employees are required to maintain valid work authorization to satisfy the conditions of Form I9 at all times during their employment and the university makes no implicit or explicit promises to financially support visa or permanent residency applications.

Why Choose Texas State University?

Join the Texas State Bobcat team and experience a career that offers more than just a job—it’s a path to a brighter future. As a Texas State employee, you’ll enjoy:

Exceptional Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance with 100% premium coverage for employees and 50% for dependents, starting on your first day.
Generous Time Off: Enjoy vacation, holidays, sick leave, and more to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Wellness and Balance: Access a FREE wellness program, plus mother and family-friendly resources to support your personal well-being.
Professional Growth: Explore a wide range of training, development courses, certifications, and educational support programs.
Welcoming Campus: Become part of a vibrant Bobcat community with numerous social and professional networks.

Tuition Benefits: Take advantage of tuition support for yourself and for your dependent children, making higher education more accessible for your family.
Retirement Security: Secure your future with TRS pension, retirement plans, and voluntary savings options with strong employer contributions.

At Texas State University, you’re not just an employee—you’re a valued member of a thriving and beautiful campus community. Start your journey with us today. https://www.hr.txst.edu/benefits.html

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Office of Human Resources