Business Advisor

Location: 1007 West Broadway Avenue North, Minneapolis

Job Summary

NEON's mission is to build wealth for low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs in North Minneapolis and surrounding communities. Our vision is to transform North Minneapolis and the surrounding area into a prosperous, visible, sustainable, and highly diverse multi-cultural community of entrepreneurs. We work with individuals at various stages of entrepreneurship - from "information seekers" to existing business entities, providing a roadmap to start, grow and thrive as scalable businesses. We offer spaces to work, expert guidance from NEON Business Advisors, mentorship, business incubation, development, training and workshops. The Business Advisor is an experienced level position in the Business Development team at NEON. This position furthers NEON’s mission by helping to develop small businesses in the communities that NEON serves. The Business Advisor mentors and advises NEON clients by offering technical assistance and business development expertise. They help clients brainstorm ideas for their businesses. They conduct trainings on topics relevant to community business owners and are responsible for a caseload of local entrepreneurs and businesses. The Business Advisor will assist with administrative duties that support the Business Development Team in reaching their goals and fulfilling NEON’s mission. The physical duties associated with this position are consistent with duties associated with work performed in an office setting. This job description serves only as a general description of anticipated day-to-day responsibilities of the position. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship. The Director of Business Development retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time. To perform this job successfully, you must be able to carry out each essential job function satisfactorily.

Essential Job Functions

1. Administrative Support for Case Management* 35%

• Recruit and work with new clients in business idea assessment, pre-venture processes, business start-up and
• existing business needs
• Assess, maintain, and advise an approximate case load of 25-40 business clients
• Provide business readiness, coaching, and develop work plans to meet clients’ business goals
• Track monthly statistics and ensure clients are working towards programmatic goals

2.Administrative Support for Technical Assistance* 35%

• Assist clients with determining capital needs and sources, and documentation for loan application.
• Review business and strategic plan for business model.
• Assist client with bookkeeping setup and maintenance and use of financial statements as tools for business
• management.
• Strategize with clients on the development and maintenance of basic business registration, licensing, and
• marketing plan.
• Assist clients in navigating the appropriate regulatory system pertaining to their business model.
• Assist clients with processes of proof of concept
• Assist clients with space selection, lease agreements and procurement of real estate.
• Submit applicable reports based upon the funder guidelines.
• Provide 1 on 1 consulting to training class participants.
• Assist clients with bidding and estimating for contracts
• Assist clients with business certifications

3. Administrative Support for Training and Workshops* 5%

• Provide business related workshops and trainings to business clients.
• Instruct and teach NEON’s entrepreneur training classes.

4. Business Advisor Training*10%

5. Other duties as assigned* 10%

Position Requirements:

1. Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in business related field and/or equivalent combination of work, entrepreneur and
• educational experience.
• Knowledge of financial accounting and Point of Sale (POS) software: i.e.: QuickBooks, Square, TurboTax
• Preference in financial reporting and/or other IRS tax preparation
• Three or more years’ experience in working in diverse environments with clients of varying economic backgrounds

2. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent organization, response to multiple competing priorities, listening and communication skills
• Comfortability to train and present to small and large groups
• Ability to work effectively independently, in a team environment, and in collaboration with diverse groups
• Commitment to quality customer service and excellence
• Demonstrated computer proficiency along with excellent written and verbal skills
• Demonstrated ability to read financial statements, analyze data and have a basic understanding of
• accounting/bookkeeping functions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to build and maintain solid professional relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Able to work independently and as a productive member of a team.
• Dependable, punctual and a positive attitude.

3. Licenses and/or Certifications

• Valid MN Drivers’ License, access to reliable transportation, and the ability to meet NEON’s driving record

requirements

Working Conditions and Environment

This position is located in an office setting. The building is accessible and smoke free. This position works during normal business hours and may include evening and/or weekend hours.