Training Coordinator/Business Consultant - Veteran Cohort Program (GFPC 2)

The Shippensburg University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) supports economic development in south central Pennsylvania through the provision of information resources, educational programs and consulting services. The SBDC serves a four-county region consisting of Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and York counties.

This position is part-time (.5 FTE) divided equally between Business Consulting (50%) and Educational Coordination (50%). The role will involve coordinating client services and training programs aimed at microentrepreneurs, particularly underserved veterans, active National Guard members, and military spouses, within the Shippensburg University Small Business Development Center (SBDC) service area. Combines hands-on business consulting with interactive educational programming and requires a combination of interpersonal and organizational skills, as well as the ability to collaborate across various teams and departments. You will design programs to empower veterans and military spouses/partners on the necessary business, leadership, and soft skills to grow their existing businesses. Travel to outreach locations within Shippensburg University’s SBDC service area and to PASBDC professional programs is required. The position will develop monthly meetings as interactive workshops combining theoretical knowledge with practical exercises and case studies, guest speaker sessions featuring industry experts sharing real-world insights and best practices and peer learning activities, group discussions, and feedback sessions to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Specific Areas of Responsibility
A. Business Consultant (50%)

1. Provide timely and effective assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners. General business areas where assistance will be required are business financing/cost control accounting, demographics, feasibility, business planning, marketing, advertising, promotion, record keeping, pricing, loan packaging, and other areas of management and technical assistance to promote small business start-up, growth, expansion, and productivity.

2. Conduct client interviews, assist in client assessment of business, and make recommendations regarding problem areas. Assist clients in the preparation of marketing, business plans, and financial projections.

3. Use microcomputer system to conduct business analyses, maintenance of consulting activity records, and preparation of routine and special activity reports. Use on-line databases and various software applications to provide management, accounting, financial, personnel, marketing, registration, and other miscellaneous information for clients.

4. Maintain direct responsibility for management and scheduling of client caseload, in the primary and designated outreach offices, to provide consultation services to clients in the region.

5. Responsible for capturing all client and milestone information for collecting and entering the data into MIS system.

6. Coordinate the applicability and referral of clients to various programs tied to activities and/or funding as well as referrals to outside organizations which could assist the client.

7. Be familiar with and interface directly with SBDC specialty programs, including International Trade, Government Procurement, Technology Commercialization, Environmental Management, the Product Development Center, and any new program that is developed.

8. Be familiar with community programs targeted toward lending opportunities and coordinate, when necessary, loan packaging, financial analysis, and proposal information to generate small business financing.

B. Educational Programs Coordinator (50%)

1. Develop and organize the delivery of a monthly veteran cohort across the Shippensburg University SBDC territory.

2. Develop and manage relationships with sponsors, collaborative partners, customers and educational event speakers (develop Speakers Bureau).

3. Responsible for management of educational programs including curriculum development, program venue, program materials, marketing, registration and customer relations.

4. Assure the quality of educational events, program materials and program facilities.

5. Maintain program and outcome data and provide reports as required by PASBDC policies and by the SBDC Director.

6. In collaboration with the Director and other SBDC team members, identify structures and tasks required to establish and operate an efficient and effective SBDC and work to develop capacities.

7. Represent Shippensburg University SBDC in the PASBDC network, within the university, the local community, the region and the state in a positive and appropriate manner.

8. Report directly to the SBDC Director and perform any other duties as assigned by the Director.

Education: Bachelor’s degree required with at least three years’ experience in educational programs coordination, management consulting or the operation of small business. Computer and research experience strongly preferred.

OR

Experience: Three years of experience in a similar capacity or field, or in an aspect of business financing, or marketing, small business ownership or management; demonstration of strong communication skills and good organizational qualities.

OR

Acceptable equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

All Shippensburg University employees are expected to demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to the University’s core values of teamwork and collaboration, dependability, initiative, problem solving, and clear communication. University employees are expected to demonstrate good interpersonal and communication skills with all members of the campus community. They will strive to maintain integrity, effectiveness and efficiency by upholding customer service throughout all levels of performance.

University employees may work closely with individuals of diverse backgrounds and race, as well as those of differing religious affiliations, sexual orientation and gender. They are expected to treat individuals with respect and uphold an environment that is free of prejudicial, discriminatory or harassing conduct.

Safeguarding confidential, personal data and/or records of employees, students, customers and other related constituents is the responsibility of all University employees. It is the duty of all members of the University community to take part in the maintenance of a safe campus.