What are the responsibilities and job description for the Business Consultant (PT) position at Western Michigan University?
Position Details
Posting Summary
College
VP Research and Innovation-DIV
Executive Area
VP Research and Innovation
Department
VP Research and Innovation
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
S993P
Job Type
Full Time, Regular
Pay Type
Exempt/Salaried
Pay Grade
E
Campus Location
WMU-Kalamazoo - East Campus
Salary Range
Pay is commensurate with qualifications and experience, combined with an excellent benefits package.
Number of Vacancies
General Summary
Provides counseling, training, research and technical assistance services to small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and those developing new products or markets.
Major Duties
- Manages a client pipeline and helps moderately complex businesses andmanagement to support small business growth and productivity.
- Assists in providing guidance, training, and mentorship to Michigan’s Small Business Development Center clients. May develop training programs to provide participants tools and knowledge that will generate business launches.
- Prepares small business clients to access capital through both traditional and non-traditional funding institutions. Assists with preparing business loan packages, advanced business plans, and other documents as required.
- Develops and Maintains relationships with small business support to organizations, financial institutions, consultants, and high-level public and private sector business resource partners. Assists clients with advanced needs such as export support and government procurement opportunities.
- Advises clients on intermediate business finance topics and more complex financial needs.
- Assists clients in identifying and applying for a broader range of funding sources. Provides detailed guidance on venture capital and angel investment opportunities.
- Establishes and maintains detailed electronic records of client assistance in the customer relationship management software in accordance with the United States Small Business Administration and Michigan Small Business Development Center policies and procedures.
- Obtains established metrics and economic impact goals of one-on-one high quality consulting hours.
- Oversees an inclusive client portfolio to ensure timely attendance at appointments, meaningful progress through next steps, and effective follow-ups to build client relationships and capture impact validation.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in related field from an accredited institution.
- Three years’ relevant experience.
- Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
- General knowledge of the principals and practices of small business.
- Experience with office software, including word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
- Experience using and querying databases.
- Ability to demonstrate an understanding of the industries driving the Michigan economy.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments and establish work priorities.
- Ability to work irregular shifts and extended hours, including weekends and holidays.
- Ability to travel to business clients throughout Southwest Michigan.
Desired Qualifications
Special Instructions to Applicants
- External applicants should use the WMU – Application.
- Internal applicants should use the WMU – Internal Application.
Additional Position Information
- Terminal position ends 03/31/2025. Possibility of renewal.
- This position is FTE 0.70 and is scheduled to work 28 hours per week.
- This position may be eligible for telecommuting or hybrid work. Please review WMU’s Telecommuting and Hybrid Work Schedules Policy for more details.
- Staff Compensation System pay grades and rates are available at: https://wmich.edu/hr/staffcompensation
- Western Michigan University offers generous benefits to its employees including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement, and tuition discount for the employee and tuition remission for eligible dependents. To access information about the specific benefits available for this position, s://www.wmich.edu/hr/enrollment-staff
Physical requirements and working conditions
- Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.
- Work is generally performed in a well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors or any number of elements.
