Career Opportunities

The Bilingual Business Advisor provides confidential, no-cost, and in-depth counseling and training to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to support local economic growth. Key responsibilities include assisting clients with business planning, financial analysis, marketing strategies, and loan packaging. The Advisor also tracks client progress and outcomes; documents impact and is responsible for meeting program performance metrics.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS

• • None.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• • Interview and assess the needs of clients to gain an understanding of their business goals and challenges.
  • Provide counselling that includes feasibility, financial, regulatory, and operational guidance, and technical assistance on the various aspects of starting and expanding a successful small business including, but not limited to:
    
    • Analyzing the specific business and industry data in finance, marketing, management, and operations.
    • Providing guidance in the development of business plans and financial packages.
    • Calculating and interpreting historical and projected financial ratios.
    • Preparing pro forma cash flow and financial statements.
    • Troubleshooting to identify problems and areas for improvement.
    • Providing guidance on expansion to include employment requirements, government contracting.
    • Conducting quality-based assessments.
    • Providing information on federal, state, and local regulations and programs,
    • Providing guidance in loan packaging to pre-venture, start-up, or advanced stage existing businesses.
  • Develop a resource network to be used in providing referrals to appropriate resources.
  • Plan and market no- to low-cost training on subjects relevant to small business start-up and growth.
  • Recruit government, private and public entities, as well as businesses and businesspersons to provide voluntary training.
  • Evaluate programs’ effectiveness and measure impact of services provided.
  • Assist in the transfer of university-based knowledge to the small business community.
  • Ensure timely and accurate counselling data input into the client information management system.
  • Promote the SBDC program and advocate for small businesses through presentations to communities and entities.
  • Develop relationships with key stakeholders including, but not limited to, SBA, Ohio Department of Development, banks, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, trade groups, educational institutions, legislators, and hosts.
  • Develop appropriate advertising, promotion, and marketing materials.
  • Attend national, regional and state meetings and conferences as required.
  • Develop and provide specific information, reports and/or special services as requested or required by the SBA/SBDC Administrators, the SBA Business Development Specialist, and the Director of the SBDC.
  • Support area, state and federal research projects concerning small business and disseminate results to community.
  • Performs other duties as required or assigned by the Director.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• • Bachelor’s degree in business, Public Administration, or related field preferred, or a minimum of five years of experience in business ownership and operations, and/or equivalent combination of education and experience which demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be acceptable.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of lending practices and access to capital requirements.
  • Experience in providing technical assistance/guidance to small businesses.
  • Commitment to complete Certified Business Advisor (CBA) certification within designated period.
  • Must provide own transportation and be able to travel to meetings around the state of Ohio.
  • Demonstrated involvement with the Hispanic community.
  • Demonstrated success with grant writing.
  • Fluent in Spanish and English (i.e., speaking, reading, and writing)

REQUIRED SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

The specific personal traits required to accomplish the essential duties of this job successfully include:

• • Candidate must possess excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as organizational and listening; and must be able to multi task.
  • Must has small business experience
  • Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Must have interpersonal skills.
  • Must have strong analytical and innovative skills.
  • Must have experience with Debt & Equity Finance.
  • Must have general knowledge of economic development finance programs, particularly SBA.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of lending practices and access to capital requirements.
  • Experience in providing technical assistance/guidance to small businesses.
  • Commitment to complete Certified Business Advisor (CBA) certification within designated period.
  • Ability to manage a multitude of tasks and responsibility successfully.

PHYSICAL AND TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• • Frequent local travel and some national travel required.
  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Please note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

NORTHEAST OHIO HISPANIC CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: NORTHEAST OHIO HISPANIC CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at NORTHEAST OHIO HISPANIC CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. NORTHEAST OHIO HISPANIC CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. NORTHEAST OHIO HISPANIC CENTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT encourages applicants of all ages.