SBDC Business Consultant - Shreveport, LA - Southern University at Shreveport

Description

SUMMARY

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center Southern University at Shreveport (LSBDC-SUSLA) will foster a strong climate for small business growth by providing confidential consulting assistance, training workshops, and business resources for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs for seven parishes within our region (Caddo, Bossier, Desoto, Red River, Webster, Claiborne, and Bienville). The LSBDC-SUSLA will work to align small business development operations and maintain a proficient staff to assist in meeting the needs of the target communities and goals of the center.

The primary role of a Business Consultant is to help clients develop, optimize and/or improve their overall business model. The Business Consultant will utilize the information available from the client and their business to help with simple and complex issues.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Interview and assess client needs
• Provide counseling or e-counseling that includes feasibility, financial, regulatory, and operational guidance and technical assistance on the various aspects of starting and expanding a successful small business including, but not limited to:
• Analyzing the specific business and industry data in finance, marketing, management and operations
• Providing guidance in the development of business plans and financial packages;
• Calculating and interpreting historical and projected financial ratios;
• Preparing pro forma cash flow and financial statements
• Troubleshooting to identify problems and areas for improvement;
• Providing guidance on expansion to include employment requirements, foreign markets, government contracting, and technology commercialization;
• Conducting quality-based assessments;
• Providing information on federal, state, and local regulations and programs, and
• Providing guidance in loan packaging to pre-venture, start-up, or advanced stage existing businesses.
• Develop a resource network to be used in providing referrals to appropriate resources.
• Plan and market no- to low-cost training on subjects relevant to the small business start-up and growth.
• Assist in the transfer of university-based knowledge to the small business community.
• Ensure timely and accurate counseling data input into Center IC client information management system.
• Other duties as assigned by the Center Director.

Program and Small Business Advocate

• Promote the SBDC program and advocate for small business through presentations to communities and entities.
• Develop relationships with key stakeholders including, but not limited to, SBA, Southern University at Shreveport, banks, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, trade groups, educational institutes, legislators, and hosts.

Miscellaneous:

• Attend regional and state meetings and conferences as required.
• Develop and provide specific information, reports and/or special services as requested or required by the SBA/LSBDC Administrators, and the Director of the LSBDC.
• Support area, state, and federal research projects concerning small business and disseminate results to the community.
• And other requirements as detailed in the Request for Proposal.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Position Requirements/Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree in business administration, accounting/finance, marketing, and/or management or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Entrepreneurship and understanding of capital raising / small business funding / creating financial assumptions and projections is a plus
• Extensive background in small business consulting, mentoring, and/or counseling, minimum of 5 years is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Proven leadership and an understanding of issues affecting small business owners.
• Ability to provide business advice to starting or developing companies.

Leadership Skills

• Demonstrated experience driving business growth through innovation and the implementation of technology.
• An entrepreneurial mindset, able and interested to pursue new business opportunities.
• Customer-service oriented.
• A team player who favors collaborative approaches when working with internal and external partners.

Communication Skills

• Able to work collaboratively with diverse leaders, communicate a strategy across all levels of the organization, and build consensus around key initiatives and projects.
• Ability to communicate from a customer perspective, across diverse groups of customers.
• Possesses exceptional organizational, interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written, able to articulate ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Possesses exceptional business acumen, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Comfortable with ambiguity, can handle the unexpected with flexibility.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Finance, Business, or Marketing
• Bilingual – English & Spanish

TYPE: Full-time

COMPENSATION: $55,000 to $58,000

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications begins November 24, 2025 and continues until position is filled.

• The application can be filled out online at SUSLA's Application for Employment
• Please attach cover letter, resume, transcript(s), and three references to application.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties.

Application Portal

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties.

Criminal background check and reference verification is required.

Southern University at Shreveport, an institution within the Southern University and A & M System, seeks to provide quality education for its students, while being committed to the total community. This institution prepares students for careers in technical and occupational fields; awards certificates, diplomas and associate degrees; and offers courses and programs that are transferable to other colleges and universities. Dedicated to excellence in instruction and community service, this open enrollment institution promotes cultural diversity, provides developmental and continuing education, and seeks partnerships with business and industry.

Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. Title IX prohibits use of federal money to support sex discrimination in education programs and provides individuals protection against such practices.

In compliance with federal law and USDOE federal guidance, including provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), Section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), Executive Order 11246, Executive Order 13988, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 as mended by the Jobs for Veterans Act, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, as amended, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, an institution of the Southern University System shall not discriminate against individuals on the basis of their race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, color, nation or ethnic origin, age, disability, military service, covered veteran's status, or genetic information in its administration of education policies, programs, or activities; admission policies; scholarship and loan programs; athletic or other institution-administered programs; or employment.

As part of their commitment to maintaining a community free of discrimination, and in compliance with Title IX's mandate, institutions of the Southern University System shall address allegations of power-based violence and sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment and sexual assault, in a timely and effective manner. Further, institutions of the Southern University System will provide resources as needed for affected persons (Reporters, Complainants, Respondents, and third parties within the institution's community) and will not tolerate retaliation against any person who reports or participates in the investigation of alleged power-based violence or sex/gender discrimination.

In accordance with the requirement of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its Amending Act of 2008 (collectively "ADA"), the Southern University System (System) will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities. The System does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the ADA. The System will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in the System's programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, documents in Braille, and other ways of making communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments. The System will make reasonable modifications to policies, procedures, and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the System, should contact the ADA Coordinator. The ADA does not require the System to take any action that would fundamentally alter the natures of its programs or services or impose an undue financial or administrative burden. Complaints that a program, service, or activity of the System is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to the ADA Coordinator.

-EOE-

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55, $58,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person