Human Resources

Summary

The Sr. Business Consultant offers personalized consulting to business owners for planning, funding, and growth while maintaining detailed client records; assists with loan proposals, manages a client pipeline, and delivers educational workshops; and builds partnerships to stay informed on economic programs to support client success.

Responsibilities 

• Provide confidential, in-depth, one-on-one consulting assistance to pre-venture, startup and existing business owners in areas of business planning, financing, loan packaging, marketing, human resources and other areas of management to promote small business sustainability and growth
• Assist clients in accessing capital through both traditional and non-traditional funding institutions by helping businesses create business loan proposals, structured narrative business plans, realistic financial projections, collateral documentation and other documents as required
• Develop and manage a client pipeline to provide at least 800 hours of client contact and preparation time per calendar year, subject to adjustment by Regional Director
• Meet or exceed established metrics of consulting hours and economic impact goals
• Establish and maintain detailed electronic records of client assistance in the client management system in accordance with MI-SBDC policies and procedures
• Participate in, develop and deliver online and in-person business education workshops and other presentations
• Build and maintain relationships with small business support organizations, financial institutions, consultants, and other public and private sector business resource partners and stakeholders for serving and attracting SBDC clients
• Actively engage in the development and deployment of statewide SBDC innovative initiatives
• Stay abreast of federal, state, and regional economic development initiatives and support programs. Help clients best utilize these programs as well as strategic private sector partners
• Work out of assigned SBDC office, remote office, and at client sites, with periodic in-state and out-of-state travel
• Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.
• Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, finance, economics, or a related field

Required Experience

• 5 years of professional work experience in business leadership, management, consulting, economic development, or small business ownership

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Master’s degree in accounting, business, finance, economics, or a related field

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

● Working knowledge of business financial statements, core marketing principles and other business basics
● Demonstrated interpersonal, organization, and communication skills
● Demonstrated ability to work within an economic development network
● Residence within the counties assigned
● Must be willing to relocate or live within the counties represented, Houghton, Keweenaw, Iron, Baraga, Ontonagon, Gogebic.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

● Working knowledge of financial analysis, accounting & budgeting practices, capital structures, loan products and private equity resources available to small businesses
● Knowledge of sales, marketing and new business development strategies
● Proficiency in a broad range of computer applications, online databases, tools and systems used in project management, business planning, accounting, market research, e-commerce, analytics, and/or financial reporting, as well as customer relationship databases and e-learning tools
● Prior consulting experience with small businesses and/or second-stage companies
● Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints.
● Residence within Houghton or Keweenaw County

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
The work environment is that of a typical office setting.

Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment

Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.

Required University Training:

• Employee Safety Overview

• Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training

• Annual Data Security Training 

• Annual Title IX Training

Background Check:

Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.

Other Conditions of Employment:

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities

100%

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Rate/Salary

Negotiable, Based on Experience

Title of Position Supervisor

Regional Director

Posting Type

Dependent on Funding

Special Instructions to Applicants (if applicable)

Additional Information