Job Summary

The mission of the Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) is to drive measurable impact for small businesses and the communities they serve. The Business Advisor plays a key role in advancing this mission by providing expert, one-on-one consulting to entrepreneurs and small business owners at all stages—from startup to growth and expansion.

In this role, you will support clients in building sustainable, scalable businesses through strategic guidance in areas such as planning, financial management, and operations. In addition, you will actively cultivate relationships with community partners, industry experts, and resource providers to connect clients with the knowledge, tools, and capital needed to succeed.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Providing one-on-one advising to small business clients, including business plan development, financial analysis, and the preparation of key financial statements such as cash flow projections, income statements, and balance sheets
• Supporting clients in areas of business growth, including market strategy, sales, advertising, and promotions, while assisting with access to capital through loan application guidance
• Developing and delivering training programs, workshops, and seminars for small business owners across key areas such as financial management, marketing, operations, and leadership
• Providing instruction on core business topics including QuickBooks, taxes, human resources, legal considerations, and effective management practices
• Facilitating engaging sessions that help entrepreneurs transition from working in their business to working on their business, driving long-term growth and sustainability
• Identifying emerging training needs and create relevant content to support the evolving challenges of small business owners
• Collaborating with partners and subject matter experts to expand training offerings and enhance program reach and effectiveness
• Building and maintaining relationships with community partners, stakeholders, and resource providers to expand access to services and support small business growth
• Coordinating and supporting community-based programming, workshops, and events that align with ISBDC initiatives and client needs
• Identifying opportunities to strengthen the local small business ecosystem through partnerships, outreach, and collaborative initiatives
• Representing the ISBDC at community events, meetings, and partner engagements to increase visibility and impact
• Tracking and reporting on community engagement activities, ensuring accurate documentation and alignment with organizational goals
• Contributing to the development of new initiatives and outreach strategies that enhance client engagement and program effectiveness
• Ongoing professional development, including participation in training programs, certifications, webinars, and industry conferences to enhance advisory expertise
• Staying current on emerging small business trends, tools, and best practices, and actively apply new knowledge to improve client advising and program delivery

What We're Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business, accounting, sales and marketing or a related field 
• 3 years of experience with progressively responsible positions in business and/or industry management and supervisory experience
• In lieu of degree, consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of related education and required experience (Associate's degree + 5 years of experience; HS/GED + 7 years of experience)
• Strong business acumen with the ability to advise small business owners across a variety of industries and stages of growth.
• Growth-minded with a commitment to continuous learning, staying current on small business trends, tools, and best practices, and applying new knowledge to client advising
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively coach clients in one-on-one and group settings
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to simplify complex business concepts for diverse audiences
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple clients, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Proactive and solutions-oriented, with a demonstrated ability to identify opportunities, improve processes, and implement creative solutions
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, demonstrating initiative and accountability with minimal supervision
• Comfortable engaging with diverse audiences, including delivering presentations, workshops, and community outreach
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and general business technology tools
• Experience in the following computer systems: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and use of the internet
• Travel

Nice to Have: 

• 2 or more years of ownership or senior management of a small business

What We'd Like You to Know:

• Learn more about Purdue’s benefits summary, https://bit.ly/3sHGbls
• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A Background Check is required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions Waiting Period
• Purdue University is an EO employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply

Career Stream

Professional 2

Pay Band S060
Link to Purdue University's compensation guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php
Job Code #20003739
Link to Career Path Maker: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/careerpathmaker/

*Effective August 1, Purdue implemented a new background screen policy: any internal transfer will receive a new background screen if one has not been run within the last year.

Who We Are:

Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.

EO

Purdue University is an EO/EA University.