JOB SUMMARY:

The Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Lake Huron Region provides consulting, education, and research to help small businesses launch, grow, transition, and innovate. The SBDC Business Consultant is responsible for client portfolio management, working with federal, state, and local partners to help business owners and entrepreneurs start, grow, and strengthen their businesses. This position is funded by a cooperative agreement with the Otsego County Economic Alliance, Inc. for services in Northeastern Michigan: Otsego, Roscommon, Montmorency, Crawford, Ogemaw, and Oscoda Counties. 
SVSU expects job performance to be consistent with its mission, values, and business objectives and believes that each employee contributes to improved performance by continuously searching for ways to improve offerings, products, services, and processes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide confidential one-on-one consulting services to small business clients including:
• analyzing business problems, developing solutions, and providing access to resources;
• conducting demographic and market research as needed to assist clients;
• helping clients develop business plans, sales & marketing strategies, cash flow forecasts, and similar projects as required; and
• Educate clients on financing options and credit practices appropriate to their stage of business development.
• Conduct ongoing assessment and understanding of tools, resources, systems, and technologies designed to improve or enhance small business operations, sales and/or financial functions.
• Participate in, develop, and lead business education workshops, seminars, and other types of presentations, both online and in person.
• Maintain client records to Otsego County Economic Alliance, Inc. compliance standards.
• Meet or exceed individual key performance indicators and implement strategies as directed to achieve established goals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with private, public, and non-profit business service providers to ensure a strong support network for serving and attracting SBDC clients.
• Actively participate in network and regional meetings via GoToWebinars, conference calls and in-person gatherings, some of which may occur outside of normal business hours and at locations outside the six-county Region.
• Other duties determined necessary to further goals of the Target Alpena and SBDC operations.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervises assigned volunteers, student aides, and other support staff.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
General supervision is received from the Associate Regional Director and Regional Director of the Lake Huron Region of the Michigan Small Business Development Center.