Small Business Advisor (Child Care)

Overview

The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) is seeking a driven and passionate part-time Business Advisor to develop and deliver entrepreneurial services to child care providers and business owners, virtually and across Connecticut.

We are seeking candidates with strong personal financial acumen, business acumen including financial expertise, experience working with entrepreneurs and small business owners, including those with multicultural backgrounds. Ideally, the candidate will have experience working in the child care industry, including with centers and family homes, and a strong plus if they speak Spanish, Portuguese or French (not mandatory). This position demands a passionate self-starter with strong communication and analytical skills, who can deeply connect with clients, guiding and inspiring them to adopt healthy business habits and make strategic business decisions.

This position will be based in WBDC’s Waterbury office. Travel to our offices in Stamford, Hartford, New Haven, and New London, as well as other locations across Connecticut, will be required on a regular basis. The salary range for the role is $40-$50/hour and will be commensurate with skills and experience. This is a hybrid, part time role for 24 hours per week, with potential for growth. The role is 3 days per week between Monday to Thursday. At least two of the days between Tuesday to Thursday will be worked from WBDC’s office, and the third day can be done remotely. Occasionally, evening or weekend work will be required.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Business Advisor is primarily responsible for delivering relevant entrepreneurial programs and services to WBDC clients, particularly child care providers, to help them launch, maintain and grow sustainable businesses.

• Advise and assist clients on all aspects of launching, maintaining, and growing a business, with a focus on child care businesses
• Deliver WBDC entrepreneurial programming through live and on-demand training and one-on-one business advising
• Support clients in becoming grant- and loan-ready by reviewing business plans, and assisting with financial statements and projections
• Enhance existing offerings and develop new programs to address changing client needs and economic conditions for new and established child care business owners
• Develop/maintain working knowledge of CT’s child care industry and relevant resources
• Develop/maintain working knowledge of online business planning tools and utilize them in classes and advising sessions
• Assist Program Team with WBDC’s grant programs, including providing pre- and post-funding technical assistance and reporting to support the grant programs
• Assist Child Care Team in cultivating relationships with community partners and clients
• Represent and assist at WBDC programs and events, and partner events and meetings
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years professional experience in early childhood, small business, micro-enterprise, banking, and/or economic development, with experience delivering training and consulting/coaching to small business owners strongly preferred
• Bachelor’s Degree in business, finance, accounting, or relevant field; Master’s in Business Administration; or related field preferred
• Excellent communication, writing, organizational and decision-making skills
• Proven skills in delivering training and coaching to adults in person and virtually; experience designing curriculum for adults a plus
• Sales and customer-service oriented with proven skills in client outreach, and sensitive to the needs of a diverse, multicultural client base
• Financial management experience, including ability to create and analyze financial documents
• Experience working with women-owned/women-led child care businesses a plus
• Oral and written fluency in Spanish, Portuguese or French, as well as cultural competency, a strong plus
• Availability to work occasional evenings and/or weekends as needed, with own transportation

How We Operate

We are a team of 35 talented individuals who collectively deliver outstanding results through a high level of passion and commitment.

Please apply if you:

• Possess an Entrepreneurial Mindset – creative, motivated, enthusiastic, and energetic
• Seek to inspire and empower those around you, whether they are clients or colleagues
• Prosper in a culture of teamwork and growth, and value collaboration
• Can work independently, and see the big picture while working in the day-to-day
• Are passionate about supporting women entrepreneurs and child care business owners

Disclaimer

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

WBDC, Inc. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

WBDC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome qualified applicants to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.