Child Care Business Advisor

OVERVIEW

The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) is seeking a driven and passionate part-time Business Advisor to develop and deliver entrepreneurial services to child care providers and business owners, virtually and across Connecticut.

We are seeking candidates with strong personal financial acumen, business acumen including financial expertise, experience working with entrepreneurs and small business owners, including those with multicultural backgrounds. The ideal candidate will also have experience working in the child care industry, including with centers and family homes. This position demands a passionate self-starter with strong communication and analytical skills, who can deeply connect with clients, guiding and inspiring them to adopt healthy business habits and make strategic business decisions.

This position will be based in WBDC’s Stamford office. Travel to our offices in Waterbury, Hartford, and New London, as well as other locations across Connecticut, will be required on a regular basis. The salary range for the role is $45-$50/hour and will be commensurate with skills and experience. This is a hybrid role, with potential for growth. The role is 3 or 4 days per week between Monday to Thursday. At least two of the days between Tuesday to Thursday will be worked from WBDC’s office. Occasionally, evening or weekend work will be required.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Business Advisor is primarily responsible for delivering relevant entrepreneurial programs and services to WBDC clients, particularly child care providers, to help them launch, maintain and grow sustainable businesses.

• Enhance and deliver WBDC entrepreneurial management programming through live training and one-on-one business advising to child care business clients – topic areas may include accounting, finance, human resources, marketing, operations, strategy
• Advise and assist clients on all aspects of launching and/or growing a small business and financial management
• Enhance existing offerings and develop new programs to address changing client needs and economic conditions for new and established business owners
• Develop/maintain working knowledge of online business planning tools and utilize them in classes and counseling sessions
• Develop/maintain working knowledge of child care business and small business programs in Connecticut and nationally
• Support clients in becoming grant- and loan-ready by reviewing business plans, and assisting with financial statements and projections
• Assist Program Team with WBDC’s grant programs, including providing pre- and post-funding technical assistance and reporting to support the grant programs
• Follow-up with clients after classes, grant applications and advising, to boost client engagement and collect outcomes
• Assist Child Care Team in cultivating relationships with community partners and clients
• Complete required data for compliance on a timely basis, within 48 hours after each class/ advising session; collect client evaluations and testimonials; contribute to client success stories
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all client interactions
• Represent and assist at WBDC programs and events, and partner events and meetings
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in business, finance, accounting, or relevant field; Master’s in Business Administration or related field preferred
• Minimum 8 years professional experience in the fields of small business management, economic development, or micro-enterprise, with experience delivering training and consulting/coaching to small business owners strongly preferred
• Proven skills in delivering in person and virtual training and coaching to adults
• Financial management experience, including ability to create and analyze financial documents
• Experience in community outreach, and ability to build trusted relationships
• Experience working with women-owned/women-led child care businesses a plus
• Excellent communication, writing, organizational and decision-making skills
• Excellent presentation/public speaking skills to small groups in person and virtually
• Strong interpersonal skills, and ability to build trusted relationships
• A natural curiosity and a “big picture” mentality
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word
• Availability to work occasional evenings and/or weekends as needed
• Must have own transportation as this position requires travel between locations

ABOUT US

Headquartered in Stamford with regional offices in Hartford, Waterbury and New London, the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) is the statewide leader of entrepreneurial education for women. WBDC’s mission is to support economic prosperity for women and strengthen communities through entrepreneurial and financial education services that create and grow sustainable jobs and businesses across Connecticut. WBDC educates, motivates and empowers women to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency. Since 1997, WBDC has educated and trained nearly 21,400 clients in all of Connecticut’s 169 towns—helping women to launch, sustain and scale over 16,000 businesses, create and maintain 40,000 jobs in Connecticut, and access more than $83 million in capital. Visit ctwbdc.org for more information.

HOW WE OPERATE

We are a team of 40 talented individuals who collectively deliver outstanding results through a high level of passion and commitment.

Please apply if you:

• Possess an Entrepreneurial Mindset – creative, motivated, enthusiastic, and energetic
• Seek to inspire and empower those around you, whether they are clients or colleagues
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment, and are comfortable with change
• Take initiative, and are willing to go above and beyond to achieve results
• Are highly detailed, and demonstrate a sense of urgency in setting and meeting deadlines
• Can work independently, and see the big picture while working in the day-to-day
• Prosper in a culture of teamwork and growth, and value collaboration
• Are passionate about supporting women entrepreneurs and child care business owners

DISCLAIMER

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

WBDC, INC. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

WBDC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome qualified applicants to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.