Department: Innovation and Commercialization
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.
Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations to apply for employment, or for an interview, at Michigan Technological University, please notify the Human Resources office at or .
Job Description Summary
Small Business Navigator will provide strategic guidance and support to local startups. This role is pivotal in fostering a thriving business community by offering in-depth consulting and facilitating growth and development opportunities within assigned counties. (Dickinson & Menominee Counties)
Essential Duties & Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)
Consulting and Coaching Duties
• Actively guide and encourage clients through targeted questioning and reflection, to improve their leadership, decision-making and business acumen.
• Provide one-on-one consultations to entrepreneurs and small business owners, focusing on developing business plans, strategies, marketing, product/service delivery, and financial planning.
• Offer advice and resources for navigating legal and regulatory requirements for small businesses.
• Build meaningful connections with stakeholders through timely, transparent and effective communication. Navigator Specific Duties:
• Be available to small businesses in their assigned territory a minimum of 36 hours a week (unless on PTO).
• Travel directly to small businesses in their area on a regular (at least quarterly) basis.
• Proactively build relationships with businesses and economic development organizations in their territory.
• Continually learn and engage in professional development opportunities to better perform their role.
• Host trainings, networking, and other events as determined to be most impactful in each county (minimum of one per calendar quarter).
• Meet county-level targets established by the Hub, including reporting to a centralized system.
• Recommend actions for marketing the Hub in assigned counties.
• Attend Hub Advisory Council meetings as asked by HUB Coordinator
• Assist the Hub Coordinator with small business grants in their coverage area.
• Work directly with an assigned intern from the NMU Main Street Academy. Administrative Duties:
• Track all business engagements and interactions in Salesforce CRM.
• Document and monitor client progress, ensuring accountability and measuring intervention effectiveness. Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work. Required Education, Certifications, Licensures (minimum requirements)
Bachelor's degree in Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, Marketing, Accounting or related field; or equivalent experience (including small business ownership). Required Experience (minimum requirements)
Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in small business development, consulting, or ownership. Desirable Education and/or Experience
Bachelors or Associate Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Accounting, Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities (minimum requirements)
Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of individuals. Self-motivated with the ability to work independently, prioritize effectively, and manage multiple projects. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and customer relationship management software (CRM), or ability to learn. Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work. Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities
Demonstrated success in, or potential future contributions to, working with persons from diverse backgrounds, creating a sense of belonging, and fostering a fair, objective, welcoming place to work for persons with a wide variety of personal characteristics and viewpoints. Work Environment and/or Physical Demands
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Position requires travel to remote offices daily. Work stations may vary in environmental controls and noise levels. Travel away from home may be required weekly. Required Training and Other Conditions of Employment
Every employee at Michigan Technological University will receive the following 4 required trainings; additional training may be required by the department.
Required University Training: Employee Safety Overview
Anti-Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation Training
Annual Data Security Training
Annual Title IX Training Background Check: Offers of employment are contingent upon and not considered finalized until the required background check has been performed and the results received and assessed.
Other Conditions of Employment: Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of your appointment, and maintain eligibility without sponsorship throughout your appointment.
Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) % (1=100%)1.0
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Rate/Salary
Negotiable Based on Experience (No Less than $55,000)
Title of Position Supervisor
Associate Regional Director SBDC
Posting Type
Internal & External
Dependent on Funding
Yes
Additional Information
Contract Start Date: 05/01/2024
Contract End Date: 08/30/2026
Required Education, Certifications, Licensures* (minimum requirements)
About Michigan Technological University
Our scope is international. Our approach interdisciplinary. We work at the intersections of communication, composition, literature, modern languages, philosophy, rhetoric, visual studies, linguistics, gender studies, and technical communication. Our students develop the communicative, analytic, and cultural knowledge to thrive in all aspects of their future lives.Applications from women and BIPOC scholars are highly encouraged by both the department and the institution. Michigan Tech is building a culturally diverse faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from all individuals.
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