General Business Counselor

8:00 - 5:00 pm; Monday - Friday normal hours. At times, evening and occasional weekend hours for outreach and training sessions.

Bachelor's degree ( preferably in business) and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or MBA.. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Having worked in a small business environment.

SBTDC's mission is to support economic development in the State of North Carolina by providing assistance in the start-up, successful operation and expansion of small businesses and by facilitating technology development and transfer within the state'ssmall business community.

This role is a senior-level professional position through which the SBTDC's counseling, training, research and technical assistance services are provided to small businessowners, would-be entrepreneurs, individuals and firms developing new products, technologies or markets. The position is expected to provide expert-level business advice and in-depth assistance to a sizable number of clients, both in the Charlotte office and elsewhere throughout an assigned multi-county geographic area. Position also includes group training design/facilitation and marketing/outreach activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Consultation
- The Senior Small Business Specialist is independently responsible for managing their client portfolio. This includes a thorough evaluation of complex issue(s) facing clients, and providing consultation based on their expertise. This responsibility includes direct client contact in one on one meetings and through telephone and written communications. It also includes the very substantial time which must be committed to adequately research, prepare materials and recommend courses of action to clients who are counseled. Provide advice and technical assistance relative to complicated, sensitive, and unique problems.

Professional Knowledge
-Maintain an expert level knowledge of program policies, procedures, technology, and best practices is required specifically as it relates to the growth and management of businesses, serving as the local expert in this regard. Analyze and evaluate how issues apply or impact stakeholders, including clients,management or other strategic partners and then succinctly distill and convey this information. Proactively be aware of changing economic conditions and understand how that might affect the organization or clients, and communicate that information accordingly.

Information Analysis / Decision Making
- Assess and resolve client issues using financial information, interviews and other documentation to come up with the data necessary. Review and research multiple sources to support resolution for his/her issue. Must be able to come up with a plan of action to help the client based on one's own experience and the information available. Applies sound judgment based on experience
and training in this analysis and decision-making/problem resolution.

Communications
- Incumbent holds responsibility for proactively promoting the SBTDC throughout the multi-county area served by this center. This includes identifying the most appropriate venues, and representing the SBTDC at those meetings and conferences, establishing and growing relationships with potential sources of referrals and with prospective groups of clients. Incumbent also independently develops promotional materials and programs as deemed necessary for this region. Incumbent also represents the program nationally among industry associations as well as peer associations.

Program/Project Administration
- Much of the work is technically based and requires attention to detail and deadlines. Incumbent must exercise great care and discretion in assisting the SBTDC's clients based on SBTDC policies and procedures. Absolute confidentiality of client information must be preserved. SBTDC reports must be completed in an accurate and timely manner.

Leadership
- The incumbent in this position is expected to be able to operate with a minimal levelof supervision and instruction. He/she is required to assess the needs and benefits of various
relationships, independently apply sound judgment and have broad discretion in meeting the goalsand responsibilities of this position and the organization as a whole. The incumbent must have theability to handle multiple assignments, organize work and establish priorities. Incumbent mustpossess and independently deploy strong skills in problem assessment and resolution and be adept inresearchingand reviewing lengthy and complex documents.

Georges Neuenschwander
Director of the SBTDC Charlotte Region Center

This position is on-campus, hybrid remote, and or other UNCC workplaces.