Business Advisor

Job Type

Full-Time

Salary

$4,166.67 - $5,000.00 monthly

Hours per Week

40 hours

Hiring Department

Small Business Development Center

Required Application Materials

A single PDF or Word document containing a resume, letter of interest, and a list of three (3) professional references is required to apply.

Important Instructions:   

When prompted to upload your “resume”, upload your combined documents as one file.

·         Please do not upload documents to “Cover Letter” or “References”.

If the required application materials were not uploaded at the “resume” prompt, please withdraw your application, and re-apply to upload your combined documents as one file.

Job Summary

The UT Tyler-Longview Small Business Development Center (UTTL-SBDC) provides one-on-one business counseling and advisory services to local entrepreneurs and small business owners tailored to meet the specific needs of each client. This program, based in Longview, serves Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Panola, Rusk, and Upshur Counties. The Business Advisor will provide counseling services to business owners and entrepreneurs, developing, and maintaining client relationships, working closely with local commercial lenders to provide client support, and promoting the program to local stakeholders and businesses. This is not an academic teaching position.  The UTTL-SBDC is a cooperative effort of UT Tyler, the North Texas SBDC, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Continuation of UTTL-SBDC services is contingent upon annual funding from State and Federal resources.

Major Responsibilities/Duties/Critical Tasks

• Help clients learn how to start new businesses, grow existing businesses and turn around failing businesses. 
• Help clients develop comprehensive business and marketing plans, determine capital needs, conduct long and short-term planning, prepare and analyze financial statements and projections, perform market research and feasibility studies, and prepare loan packages. 
• Instruct and coach budding entrepreneurs whose knowledge of business startup practices may be non-existent and help them through pre-startup and early stage business development.
• Assist early stage and existing small businesses to improve sales management processes, financial accounting, bookkeeping and reporting procedures, and management practices, methods, and techniques.
• Evaluate client business proposals together with client financial and business data to assess viability and bankability of proposals and advise clients as appropriate.
• Evaluate client funding needs and recommend appropriate sources of financing, including SBA, traditional, micro and conventional loan products.
• Provide advice and assistance in the establishment and maintenance of business and financial records and recordkeeping systems, such as Quickbooks and Square.
• Provide advice and assistance in helping clients with e-commerce solutions.
• Monitor and meet strategic program goals set by the regional office and the U.S. Small Business Administration through business development and client acquisition and retention efforts. 
• Participate, as assigned, as a member of community groups and organizations to promote local business and economic development within the service area.
• Assist with the development and implementation of customized instruction through local businesses, banks, Chambers of Commerce, EDC's, CDC's, and other interested parties. 
• Actively develop and maintain relationships with economic development partners, centers of influence and stakeholders in the service area.
• Assist in the preparation of required reports and success stories. Document counseling activity and attend professional training, as required.
• Assist entreprenuers and small business owners with minority-, woman-, veteran-owned certifications and/or help guide them to resources available for these and for government contracting support.  
• Participate in the development, promotion, coordination, and delivery of small business management training programs and workshops.
• Facilitate seminars and assist in marketing the program through speaking to outside groups or individual stakeholders and client referral sources.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education/Experience

• Bachelor's degree in related field.
• Four (4) years of work-related experience in any combination of areas: consultant to small business in management or technical skills; staff member within a business or economic development organization; Owner, manager, or proprietor of a small business; or management and business planning experience in the private sector. 
• Entrepreneurial and small business startup and ownership experience.
• Experience related to economic or entrepreneurial development, business ownership and management.
• Experience establishing solid business relationships with local commercial lenders, economic development specialists, community and business leaders.
• Experience gathering and documenting business requirements, while making informative decisions utilizing research and technology.
• Experience working in diverse environments with clients of varying economic backgrounds.

Preferred Education/Experience

• Master’s degree.
• Previous experience with community economic development programs such as Small Business Administration (SBA), Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) and/or Service Corp of Retired Executives (SCORE).
• Knowledge of commercial lending methods, practices, and products.
• Economic development certification.

Accompanying Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Competencies

• Demonstrated leadership and project management skills. 
• Proven ability to achieve objectives and goals with minimal supervision.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office and Excel to develop business plans and comprehensive financial spreadsheets.
• The ability to read and understand financial statements, tax returns and other financial data will be very useful to this position, as will be a working knowledge of QuickBooks and basic bookkeeping principals. 
• An understanding of marketing, sales, business development, social media, websites, and e-commerce.
• Individual must be a self-starter, exhibit an ability to work with minimal supervision and possess superior problem-solving skills.
• Business knowledge and marketing skills, with the knowledge of business startup requirements and management methodologies.
• Knowledge of federal, state, local and other funding sources.
• Knowledge, skills and abilities to help entrepreneurs and small business owners start, operate and grow successful businesses or turnaround failing businesses.

Other Information

• This position is located at the UT Tyler-Longview Small Business Development Center office located in Longview, Texas.
• Will be required to work in satellite offices on certain days of the week, as needed.
• The position may involve travel within the six-county service territory and attendance at programs, events and classes outside of normal business hours. 

About The University of Texas at Tyler

The University of Texas at Tyler is part of the prestigious University of Texas System that includes 13 institutions located throughout the state. Founded in 1971, UT Tyler today enrolls 10,000 students and consists of six colleges. 

Our beautiful Tyler campus features more than 200 acres nestled along a lake and surrounded by thick pine and oak forests, providing a picturesque location for study and recreation. We also offer instructional sites at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler and in Palestine, Longview, and Houston.

With more than 80 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs offered, UT Tyler provides a wealth of learning opportunities and dynamic programs.

For more information, please visit https://www.uttyler.edu/about/.

Additional Information

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code Section 51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. Applicants selected must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire.

EEO/AA Statement

The University of Texas at Tyler is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. Women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.