What are the responsibilities and job description for the General Business Counselor position at Western Carolina University?
The primary work location is Asheville, NC. The role is exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).
This grant-funded appointment is contingent upon continued funding availability.
The General Business Counselor provides a broad range of business advising and in-depth assistance to clients throughout an assigned multi-county service area. As a member of the SBTDC at WCU, the counselor serves a 14-county region in Western North Carolina. The service center maintains two offices: one in the WCU College of Business in Cullowhee and one in downtown Asheville.
Regular travel across the region is expected, along with in-state and occasional out-of-state travel for professional development events.
The General Business Counselor is responsible for delivering business counseling, management training, research, and technical assistance to pre-venture clients, small and mid-sized business owners, and entrepreneurs developing new products or technologies, starting new ventures, or growing existing businesses.
Administrative responsibilities include managing confidential client records, entering client information into the appropriate database in a timely manner, preparing quarterly activity reports, and developing resources and relationships that support the mission of the SBTDC. The successful candidate must be able to work effectively within both academic and business communities.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
This grant-funded appointment is contingent upon continued funding availability.
The General Business Counselor provides a broad range of business advising and in-depth assistance to clients throughout an assigned multi-county service area. As a member of the SBTDC at WCU, the counselor serves a 14-county region in Western North Carolina. The service center maintains two offices: one in the WCU College of Business in Cullowhee and one in downtown Asheville.
Regular travel across the region is expected, along with in-state and occasional out-of-state travel for professional development events.
The General Business Counselor is responsible for delivering business counseling, management training, research, and technical assistance to pre-venture clients, small and mid-sized business owners, and entrepreneurs developing new products or technologies, starting new ventures, or growing existing businesses.
Administrative responsibilities include managing confidential client records, entering client information into the appropriate database in a timely manner, preparing quarterly activity reports, and developing resources and relationships that support the mission of the SBTDC. The successful candidate must be able to work effectively within both academic and business communities.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
- Broad general knowledge of business principles and practices.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments, organize work, and establish priorities with minimal supervision.
- Ability to provide value-based counseling on a wide range of business topics, including marketing, strategy development, and product costing.
- Ability to facilitate group planning meetings.
- Proficiency with computer applications, including word processing and spreadsheet design.
- Ability to create formulas and use built-in Excel functions to perform calculations and solve problems.
Minimum Qualifications
- Interested candidates must already be legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require any immigration sponsorship or support.
- Bachelor’s degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Preferred Qualifications
Management prefers candidates with: A Master’s Degree in Business Administration or Finance and three or more years of experience as a business owner, senior manager or business consultant. Public speaking/facilitation experience. Knowledge of Spanish and other languages.
Position Type
Permanent Full-Time
Number of Hours Per Week
40
Number of Months Per Year
12
Posting Text
Open Date
07/06/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.
Please include a cover letter, current resume and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.
For questions or additional information please contact Elena Gupta at evgupta@email.wcu.edu
Please include a cover letter, current resume and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.
For questions or additional information please contact Elena Gupta at evgupta@email.wcu.edu
Background/E-Verify
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.
Credential Verification
All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.
EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.
University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.
Benefits:
Retirement Plan, Vacation & Paid Time Off, Dental Insurance