Widener University Small Business Development Center (WDSBDC) is currently seeking a part-time Small Business Consultant to provide confidential one-on-one consulting services, educational programs and seminars to new and existing businesses in southeastern Pennsylvania. The WDSBDC is a member of the Pennsylvania network of Small Business Development Centers (PASBDC) and the national Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) and was the recipient of the United States Small Business Administration's 2013 & 2019 Innovation and Excellence Award.
Reporting to the Director of the Small Business Development Center, the Small Business Consultant is responsible for providing individual one-on-one consulting services and delivering educational sessions to Widener SBDC clients. The Business Consultant advises and educates clients on how to start and operate successful business ventures in Pennsylvania. The Business Consultant is also responsible for growing the Widener SBDC referral network and client base.
In carrying out this responsibility, the Business Consultant works closely with the Widener SBDC Director and staff, state, regional and local economic partners including: for-profit financial institutions, Pennsylvania certified economic development organizations, local and regional economic development corporations, U.S. SBA Certified Development Companies, Community Development Financial Institutions, regional Chambers of Commerce and others to support innovation and entrepreneurship in Philadelphia and Delaware Counties.
This position serves the greater Philadelphia region and requires the incumbent to travel between outreach offices within Philadelphia and Widener University in Chester City.
This position is supported by Federal and State grant funding.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):
Essential Duties:
Direct Business Support/Business Consulting
- Educate and advise SBDC clients on how to start and operate successful business ventures in Pennsylvania.
- Provide one-on-one advice and consulting in areas business plan development, financial analysis and planning; marketing research and assistance; business management and operations; marketing; human resources; legal issues; loan proposal development and technology commercialization.
- Analyze the business needs of the client, determine the financing requirements and provide information for the client to make go- or no-go decisions.
- Support in the preparation of financial projections, financial models and pro forma statements to assist clients with start up, expansion or key business growth decisions.
- Connect business owners with financial resource providers, technical assistance, educational programs, marketing, and government assistance.
Educational Programming
- Assess and identify emerging business needs to design workshops and consulting engagements congruent with business trends and regional marketing demographics.
- Coordinate and deliver workshops and educational programs for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to learn about business development, financial programs, accounting, marketing, taxation, innovation and technology commercialization and other educational programs to help meet business needs.
- Coordinate and facilitate panel discussions with business leaders and resource partners in support of SBDC clients.
- Develop educational materials and present educational programs as appropriate.
Program Leadership and Performance
- Grow the Widener SBDC referral network and client base.
- Identify market leaders, develop and manage relationships with local businesses, banks, SCORE, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, federal, state and local government offices and economic development agencies such as Finanta, PIDC, Asian American Chamber of Commerce and Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber, etc.
- Outreach to educate clients, partners, stakeholders on Widener University, SBDC, PTAC and EMAP services
- Promote use of Widener PTAC and SBDC services through seminars, online presentations, conference attendance and other outreach activities.
- Make referrals to other SBDC business consultants and specialists as well as to public and private sector entities that might benefit the client.
- Promote team consulting for high impact clients as appropriate.
- Develop and improve personal business skills on a continuing basis through professional development, including but not limited to writing for business publications, newsletters, textbooks, business and community contacts, credit or non-credit courses, and participation in the activities of professional organizations.
- Contribute knowledge creation and dissemination through communicating with peers and participating in network activities.
Administrative Functions
- Write success stories, coordinate and develop news release information on the activities of PASBDC clients and programs.
- Complete engagement letters, capture all client and milestone information and enter data into the Neoserra CRM system as required by PASBDC policies and procedures.
- Use computer systems to conduct business analyses, maintain consulting activity records, and prepare routine and special activity reports. Use on-line databases and various software applications to provide management, accounting, financial, personnel, marketing, registration, and other miscellaneous information for clients.
- Generate requests to clients for support letters to legislators; coordinate and implement other activities with legislative contacts to insure ongoing support for the PASBDC and WDSBDC.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned or directed to support departmental needs and align with the mission, values and goals of the Small Business Development Center and Widener University.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: (education/training and experience required)
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Economic Development or related field.
- Five (5) years of work experience in business management or consulting. An equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered.
- Significant knowledge of entrepreneurship, small business management and operations, accounting and financial analysis, marketing, market research, human resource management, financing, legal issues and loan proposals.
- Working knowledge of loan programs (federal, state, local) and commercial loans.
- Strong technical skills and abilities to analyze financial statements, balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements and develop financial projections, structure commercial loans and loan proposals.
- Strong analytical, time management, and organizational skills.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to advise clients on one-on-one consulting sessions as well as in group settings.
- Computer literacy in word processing, data base and spreadsheet programs, preferably Microsoft Word, Excel and Access.
- Ability to work effectively with community-based organizations, banks, public sector organizations, and individuals from a variety of economic and cultural circumstances
- Capacity to manage multiple projects and clients simultaneously.
- High level of initiative to grow referral network and client base.
Preferred:
- Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant field.
- Banking, business consulting or business ownership experience.
- Bilingual skills (English/Spanish).
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:
- Occasional evenings and weekends required.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.
Some positions may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement that may include a partially or fully remote work location, consistent with Widener’s Flexible Work policy.
Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington. For more information about the university, please visit our website at www.widener.edu.
