Duties and Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manage and grow the Small Business Development Center as an effective resource in RI through development of a growth hub for non-tech companies with growth potential.

Provide in-depth, confidential, one-on-one consultation to owners of small businesses in key areas such as management processes, business regulations and incorporation, business plan preparation, presentation and creation of financial material, access to capital, marketing, and growth strategies.

Develop and execute relevant training programs that meet the needs of the local small business community, including underserved businesses.

Maintain up-to-date client activity posts in the customer relations management system.

Serve as a leader in the local business community.

Communicate effectively with partners and stakeholders.

Perform administrative duties such as correspondence, preparation of progress and summary reports, preparation of budget and expenditure reports, and the collection of data as required by URI and the funding agency.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Travel as needed.

Perform other duties as assigned.

LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:

Personal computers, printers, word processing, database management and spreadsheet software. Required Qualifications REQUIRED :

1. Bachelor’s degree.

2. Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience related to management, administration, financial analysis, or marketing.

3. Demonstrated experience managing, counseling, advising and/or consulting with small business entities.

4. Demonstrated customer service skills.

5. Demonstrated presentation and training skills.

6. Demonstrated strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.

7. Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.

8. Demonstrated problem solving and decision-making skills.

9. Demonstrated skill in planning and coordinating activities and events.

10. Demonstrated skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers and resource partners.

11. Demonstrated skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with clients from culturally-diverse backgrounds.

12. Demonstrated skill in establishing and maintaining effective support and working relationships with a variety of public and private stakeholder partners.

13. Demonstrated understanding of current small business issues and resources.

14. Demonstrated understanding of business issues pertaining to minority, women, and veteran populations.

15. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.

Preferred Qualifications PREFERRED :

1. Demonstrated business ownership experience.

2. Demonstrated experience with federal, state, or other programs which support entrepreneurs and/or small businesses.

3. Demonstrated experience with the Small Business Development Centers.

4. Demonstrated ability to travel and work flexible hours.

5. Demonstrated experience with international trade issues.

6. Demonstrated bi-lingual ability (i.e., speaking, reading, writing, in Spanish and English.)

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The University of Rhode Island is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the University of Rhode Island to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability.