SBDC Business Advisor

Effective: April 2026

Type: Full-time, Non-Exempt (40 hours/week)

Reports to: Southwest Indiana SBDC Regional Director

• Do you have a desire to assist aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners to expand and/or strengthen their businesses?
• Are you self-motivated and goal oriented?
• Does the idea of building a better community and Evansville Region excite you?

The Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP) serves as the regional host for the Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC), part of a 10-region network across Indiana. Together, we work to start stronger businesses, accelerate growth, and improve sustainability across the state.

As a Business Advisor, you’ll provide one-on-one counseling to aspiring and existing business owners, assisting with business plans, financial projections, marketing strategies, funding applications, and more. You’ll work closely with partners such as Chambers of Commerce, coworking spaces, and the E-REP team to deliver measurable impact.

A successful Business Advisor aligns the SBDC’s mission with E-REP’s guiding principles—advancing entrepreneurship, building equitable prosperity, and enhancing the region’s global relevance.

Key Qualifications and Personal Attributes

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in business, accounting or related field is preferred; Master’s Degree is a plus.

Experience:

• At least five years of experience with progressively responsible positions in business and/or industry management and supervisory experience.
• Significant, successful small business ownership or management experience can be substituted for academic qualifications.

Essential Skills:

• Counsel, consult, or advise businesses
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is preferred but not required
• Work harmoniously with co-workers, supervisors, and clients from all walks of life
• Self-motivated, goal-oriented, team player able to work independently and with groups
• Work effectively with leaders in the private and public sectors at all levels
• Demonstrated experience with case and project management skills
• Independently use computer hardware and software
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Adaptability

Scope of Work

The role and responsibilities of the SBDC Business Advisor will include but not be limited to the following:

• One-on-one small business client counseling:
• Assist with business plan development
• Understand and assist with financial statements such as cash flow projections, income statements and balance sheets
• Advise on automated and manual record keeping systems
• Assist clients with marketing such as research, advertising, promotional functions, market surveys and other related areas.
• Help with loan and program applications.
• Accurately document client interactions and comply with reporting requirements.
• Teach training classes like Launching Your Own Business
• Advise business owners about the programs and partners which can best assist them in their development process.
• Facilitate and make referrals between business owners and professional services providers, consultants, and other outside specialists for additional support services.
• Engage with educational, technical assistance, and government partners in support of building an entrepreneurial community.
• Assist with developing and promoting public awareness of SBDC programs and services.
• Will work within the regional host institution, the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP), a contractual center of the Indiana SBDC Network.
• Occasional travel throughout the geographic area served (Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick counties in Indiana).
• Twice per year travel to Indianapolis for statewide Indiana SBDC conferences.
• Early morning and evening meetings may be required on occasion and with advance notice.
• Maintain confidentiality and security of sensitive information.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Key Outcomes

Annually, an SBDC Business Advisor working 24 hours per week is expected to:

• Counsel 137 clients
• Log 1,000 counseling hours (including preparation, meeting and follow-up time)
• Document assistance with:
• 10 new business starts
• 21 capital transactions
• Log 20 hours of professional development

E-REP is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a welcoming workplace where individuals of varied experiences, perspectives, and talents are valued and supported.

About the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership

The Evansville Regional Economic Partnership (E-REP) formed in 2021 through the alignment of the Southwest Indiana Chamber, Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana, Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville (GAGE), and two foundations. E-REP is the unified voice for business attraction, expansion, job creation, and investment throughout Southwest Indiana.

Guided by the principles of regionalism, equitable prosperity, small business advocacy, public-private collaboration, and global relevance, E-REP also continues its strong regional partnership with the Indiana SBDC.

Learn more at www.evansvilleregion.com and www.isbdc.org.

Pay: From $28.11 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching

Application Question(s):

• Tell us how you would respond if a client is strongly committed to a business idea you believe is unlikely to succeed.
• A small business owner comes to you and says, “Sales are flat, cash is tight, and I’m not sure what to do next.” In one paragraph, describe how you would approach this situation in your first meeting.

Ability to Commute:

• Evansville, IN 47708 (Required)
• Work Location: In person