BOC Network/BOC Capital Corp. is seeking a Business and Technology Counselor/ Trainer to help small businesses grow, adopt technology solutions and access capital as appropriate. This permanent full time position allows one to have broad community impact while building local businesses, creating jobs and increasing economic opportunity. Counseling will include assisting with business and technology assessment, the development of business plans, financial projections and technology action plans. This role will work closely with the Manager of Lending Services and the BXL Business Incubator Manager to execute day-to-day technical assistance efforts including workshop delivery and small business support. BOC Network is a microenterprise and small business development organization with an affiliate Community Finance Development Institution (CDFI) based in New York City, that has provided business development services and loan capital to NYC area small businesses for more than 17 years.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics or related field required. Master’s Degree preferred.
2+ years’ experience in business development, consulting, small business management, or small business investing or lending required.
Business consulting within one of more of the following areas desirable: marketing, social media, websites, technology, bookkeeping or operations.
Business consulting within one or more of the following sectors desirable: technology, food and beverage, retail/wholesale trade
Experience in multi-cultural and linguistically diverse communities desirable.
Experience in community and organizational outreach in the Bronx desirable.
Bilingual English/Spanish.
Responsibilities:
Provide in-depth needs assessment (business readiness, management, marketing and technical capacity, credit-readiness, etc.) of low-income entrepreneurs, women and minority owned businesses; translate assessment findings into innovative programs and services.
Hold one-to-one confidential counseling sessions to help businesses create and implement business or operating plans.
Create financial projections to help businesses obtain capital.
Advise businesses about appropriate resources to help them succeed.
Assist businesses to incorporate technology into marketing and operations.
Develop and deliver workshops based on identified areas of need.
Collect and report data such: service requests, businesses served, workshop attendees and client satisfaction. Also track the amount of: capital received, change in revenue, change in profit, change in jobs and change in number of businesses.
Work with senior management to: (i) establish and maintain effective working relationships with local leaders, entrepreneurs and other decision-makers; (ii) conduct informational presentations to community organizations to recruit eligible businesses, and get referrals from partner agencies. Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends.
Utilize BOC technology platform to record needs assessments, advising sessions, workshops delivered, milestone achievement and other project goals as identified.
Produce business success stories.
Be recognized as a point of contact, meaningful resource and community leader.
Complete projects deemed necessary to support BOC’s business advisory services.
Participate in BOC Network activities and assist with team projects, including taking on additional responsibilities as needed.
Travel within the metropolitan area
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Passion for economic development and empowering entrepreneurs.
Demonstrated understanding of issues facing urban communities, specifically Bronx and surrounding areas.
Good people skills with experience collaborating in a multi-disciplinary, diverse, and dynamic team.
Self-starter who can work with minimal supervision and be comfortable in an evolving nonprofit environment.
Demonstrated ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and maintain emotional control in a fast-paced setting.
Demonstrated skill in group presentation and public speaking
Ability to express oneself clearly both orally and in writing.
Ability to make decisions and take initiative in problem and conflict resolution.
Ability to exercise tact and responsibility when handling confidential information.
Financial and Business abilities:
Accounting, budgeting and finance
Capital raising
Marketing using new media applications
Operations
Community Outreach and Business Development abilities:
Work closely with the Manager of Lending Services and Incubator Manager to: (i) hold community outreach meetings, and workshops to generate service requests; (ii) create a pipeline of businesses that request advisory services; and (ii) develop and conduct needs assessments.
BOC Interaction abilities:
Collaborate with BOC team to develop compelling sales and marketing materials.
Recommend activities that result in client growth and create a positive BOC image.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to a wide range of small business locations in the Bronx community and surrounding areas as well as in an office and business incubator setting. Work assignments are diversified and may cause stress in meeting tight deadlines with scheduling requirements.
How to apply
Please send resume with coverletter using the subject line: Business and Technology Counselor/Trainer Position to: ncarin@bocnet.org