What are the responsibilities and job description for the Business Advisor for Small Business Development Center (SBDC) position at Missouri Western State University?
Missouri Western State University seeks a business advisor to join the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) system. The SBDC is a nation-wide program created by and partially funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Missouri SBDC at MoWest will have access to Fortune 500 resources to assist small businesses within a nine-county area. The business advisor will be a person who enjoys helping other entrepreneurs navigate the ins and outs of starting and growing a business. As a business advisor, you’ll work closely with small business owners to provide guidance, support and advice on a wide range of business topics from start-up logistics, marketing, financing and budgeting, to assisting with business plans, advising on buying and selling a business, and much more.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Keep the identity of and all conversations with clients confidential.
- Provide one-on-one counseling to small business owners
- Assist clients with finding financing for starting or growing a business
- Assist businesses with creating financial projections, business plans and marketing plans
- Conduct market research for clients
- Stay up to date on relevant legal and regulatory compliance
- Collaborate with other team members to ensure client success
- Coordinate workshops regarding relevant business topics
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Strong written and oral communication skills, and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
- Proficient in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office programs (particularly Excel).
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to prioritize tasks, and delegate work or work independently to meet deadlines and achieve goals.
- Creative problem-solving skills.
About Missouri Western State University:
Designated as the State of Missouri’s applied learning institution, Missouri Western State University is a public open-access institution located in St. Joseph, Missouri, on a beautiful 744-acre campus approximately 35 minutes north of the Kansas City International Airport. With 3,500 plus graduate and undergraduate students and over 29,000 alumni, Missouri Western is designated as a First-Gen Forward campus dedicated to academic innovation, regional and community partnerships, and a student-centered experience.
Designated as the State of Missouri’s applied learning institution, Missouri Western State University is a public open-access institution located in St. Joseph, Missouri, on a beautiful 744-acre campus approximately 35 minutes north of the Kansas City International Airport. With 3,500 plus graduate and undergraduate students and over 29,000 alumni, Missouri Western is designated as a First-Gen Forward campus dedicated to academic innovation, regional and community partnerships, and a student-centered experience.
Missouri Western State University is an active participant in the educational, economic, cultural, and social development of the people and region it serves, and the campus’ distinctive focus on applied learning and research is a hallmark of its innovative teaching and learning environment. Missouri Western is an equal opportunity education institution.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, Excel and PowerPoint
- Ability to read and understand financial statements
- Ability to interpret analytics to make informed, strategic decisions
- Valid Driver’s License
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous experience as a consultant, business owner, or trainer preferred
Physical Demands
- Required to use close vision and be able to focus.
- Regularly required to talk and hear; frequently required to sit, stand, and bend at the knee and waist, and walk.
- Must be able to have repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement to type and work on computer.
- Must have finger dexterity and hand-eye coordination to work on computer, telephone, and related office equipment.
- Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
FLSA
Exempt
Additional Demands
- Occasional local/regional travel in 9 county region in northwest Missouri.
- Occasional evenings
Hours of Work
Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Schedule will vary as needed.
Schedule will vary as needed.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
S804P
Open Date
09/16/2025
Priority Deadline
11/14/2025
Open Until Filled
Yes