Business and Innovation Consultant - Small Business Development Center

This position is Open until filled. Early applications are encouraged as the position may close before the listed deadline once a suitable candidate is found. 

Summary of Job Duties:

The Consultant is responsible for providing small business consulting services with an emphasis on business planning, financial analysis and projections, strategic planning, capital funding, and business transition planning. The Consultant will be responsible for providing one-on-one business counseling and advice to entrepreneurs, researchers, and established businesses to advance their innovative ideas, products, or services to the marketplace. Additionally, this position will conduct education and outreach on the SBIR/STTR program and will assist clients in preparing SBIR/STTR proposals. The Consultant will conduct focused market research to assist business clients in decision making and to aid technology clients in preparing commercialization plans. This position will work closely with faculty and students at UAF interested in commercializing their research, UA Tech Ventures, OEI, and the Walton College SEVI as well as other venture development groups in Northwest Arkansas to promote and build spinouts and startups in the innovation ecosystem. Additionally, this position will assist in the training of both small business clients and technology clients. This might include scheduling programs, recruiting community partners, participating in the regional I-Corps training, instructing small business seminars, and marketing the programs. In carrying out the responsibilities of this position, the position works directly with Center clients, University of Arkansas faculty, staff and students, technology clients, other ASBTDC staff, private sector individuals, local, state, and federal organizations, and other interested parties that serve, support or interact with the small business sector. This includes AEDC and assisting clients with Technology Transfer Assistance Grants (TTAG), SBIR matches, and other state Science & Technology funding opportunities.

This person will be expected to increase their knowledge and relationships with federal SBIR/STTR agencies, Science and Technology division of AEDC, SBA SBIR/STTR Support Organization, and statewide Entrepreneurial Support Organization network.

Regular, non-disruptive, and reliable attendance is an essential job duty, as well as the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with significant course work in business finance and / or accounting

Applicable equivalencies may be considered on the above qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience bringing new products and services to market (either corporate or entrepreneur/startup)

Experience and/or interest in technology and science-based startups

Grant-writing experience with federal agencies (research and/or small business innovation grants)

Project management experience with attention to detail (for example, skilled in Google folders/Google ecosystem)

Demonstrated experience collaborating and working with others to build relationships

Experience working with small businesses or as a small business owner

Experience working with programs designed to assist small businesses at the federal, state, and local levels

Experience with public speaking and / or training

Experience working in a strategic planning setting

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of small business finance and accounting

Knowledge and understanding of the commercial market landscape: customer segments, competition, value proposition

Knowledge of the customer discovery process and analysis of findings

Excellent writing, public speaking and interpersonal skills

Proficiently skilled in Microsoft Excel and Word

Ability to build rapport among faculty, students, and the innovation ecosystem

Ability to develop relationships with National SBIR program managers and to stay current with all requirements

Ability to conduct outreach activities that increase our profile and increase collaboration and client referrals

Ability to communicate financial information to individuals and business owners with varying degrees of financial knowledge

Ability to conduct and utilize market research

Ability to conduct and deliver training in a classroom or an online setting

Ability to prepare loan proposals for financial institutions

Ability to conduct outreach to generate referrals of impact clients

Ability to conduct evening and weekend work as needed

Ability to travel in-state and out-of-state including overnight stays

Ability to meet the requirements to operate a vehicle on official state business

Additional Information:

This position is renewable annually based on continued need for the position, availability of funding, and satisfactory job performance.

Salary Information:

Commensurate with education and experience

Required Documents to Apply:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume

Optional Documents:

Proof of Veteran Status

Recruitment Contact Information:

Diane M. Walsh McNutt, dmwalshm@uark.edu