Business Launch Specialist

8:00 - 5:00 pm; Monday - Friday normal hours. At times evening and occasional weekend hours for training sessions.

Bachelor's degree ( preferably in business) and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or MBA.. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Preferred that applicant has worked for a small business for at least one year

Primary Purpose of Position
SBTDC's mission is to support economic development in the State of North Carolina by providing assistance in the start-up, successful operation and expansion of small businesses and by facilitating technology development and transfer within the state's small business community.

This position is a business counselor, focused on providing advice and consultation to pre-venture entrepreneurs in an 8 county region. The individual provides business advice and counsel to clients as part of a statewide team that focuses on analyzing and interpreting their idea, determining needs, and applying expertise and knowledge to transition from the idea stage to business launch. This individual will serve as the instructor and facilitator for four cohort based training programs a year offered to pre-venture.

The individual independently plans and executes marketing activities to recruit clients. Individual independently manages a client portfolio that ensures a minimum of 58 business starts annually. The individual collaborates with other resources necessary to resolve issues and ensure the success of the client. Counseling activity includes defining the scope of the work, defining goals, as well as the tasks and timelines to support the scope/goals. Counseling activity would also include on-going monitoring of progress to ensure accountability, making adjustments in recommendations, as unique situations arise.

The individual develops and maintains relationships with entrepreneurial partners in the assigned region, with the intent to identify entrepreneurial clients and then to assist in a successful startup. Ability to travel required. Ability to work in evenings and weekends required.

Duties and Responsibilities

Professional Knowledge:
Acts as the Lead Counselor, emphasizing on nascent entrepreneurs, managing and maintaining a client portfolio consistent with the Regional Service Center's annual work plan, the statewide specialized startup program's workplan, and SBTDC strategic plan. As the Lead Counselor focused on pre-venture clients, this position is responsible for independent management of each case in his/her portfolio. This includes autonomous decision-making based on an analysis and assessment of each client's unique situation and issues. Case analysis may require financial analysis, comparative market research, knowledge of entrepreneurial trends and/or use of other analytical tools at the counselor's discretion in order to formulate recommendations including defining goals, tasks, and timeliness. Responsible for ensuring confidentiality of case work and sensitive documents. Knowledge of SBTDC program policies, procedures, and best practices is required. Ability to interpret financial statements, complex business models, valuation and deal structures, etc.
Metrics: Business starts, economic development impacts, segmentation targets, case activity targets, customer satisfaction, success stories.


Program/Project Administration:
Designs and delivers SBTDC training program focused on pre-venture entrepreneurs and nascent start ups - includes the overall scope and goals, along with the structure, timelines, and resources needed. Ensure program effectiveness through continuous evaluation (surveys, scorecards, reports, testimonials,etc), and optimization, so that goals are met/exceeded. Assess additional needs as they arise or change. Implement program adjustments as clients needs or entrepreneurial ecosystem changes.

Consultation:
Using all resources available, collaborate with clients to identify and resolve issues and obstacles (examples include funding constraints, market conditions, etc). Using knowledge of entrepreneurial landscape, market trends, etc, to apply to client's unique idea or situation, in order to assist them successfully launch their business. Apply critical thinking skills to assess and optimize their business model.

Information Analysis and Decision-Making:
Individual will analyze program effectiveness using data gathered from surveys, metrics scorecard, reports, and anecdotal information. Individual will synthesize this data into plans that address current program problems or needs, as well as anticipated future needs. Individual utilizes research, analysis, and critical thinking to assess and resolve or make recommendations to address client problems.

Communication and Marketing:
Maintain and strengthen professional relationships throughout the entrepreneurial ecosystem to increase credibility and support for the program and the organization. Convey confidential and sensitive information or decisions to clients in a tactful and professional manner. Develop creatives marketing plans that promote and market the value of the program to prospective clients in an effective manner, that result in client conversion.

Georges Neuenschwander
Director of the SBTDC Charlotte Region Center

This position is on-campus, hybrid remote, and or other UNCC workplaces.
* Temporary staff employees are ineligible to receive benefits (leave, health coverage, State service credit, etc.). They are, however, covered by Worker's Compensation provisions.

However, any non-permanent employee hired to work 30 or more hours per week for three months or more (cumulative of all positions, and not designated as variable hour worker), must be offered the chance to enroll in the High Deductible Health Plan, within 30 days of their eligibility. Any non-permanent employee hired to work less than 30 hours per week (cumulative of all positions or designated as variable hour worker - i.e. student workers) are measured during designated measurement periods. If they average 30 or more hours per week over a designated measurement period, they will be offered the chance to enroll in the High Deductible Health Plan and will be notified of instructions.

*Special Notes Regarding Eligibility for the High Deductible Health Plan

https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefit-plans/health-insurance