The Business Advisor provides support to prospective and existing business owners, including one-on-one advice, training, marketing, trouble-shooting and identifying market opportunities. This support is designed to help low-income and/or minority entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs planning on operating their businesses in low- to moderate-income communities build assets that can lead to reducing wealth disparities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Meets with entrepreneurs to identify the need for business support services, creating case files and keeping those files accurate and current.
  
  
• Assists and guides entrepreneurs as they establish new or expand existing businesses including assisting with the preparation of business plans and financial projections.
  
  
• Provides advice on management, accounting and finance to business owners and entrepreneurs and counsels them in ethical and sound business practices.
  
  
• Assists participants as they navigate licensing, permitting and registering their businesses.
  
  
• Helps entrepreneurs locate financial resources for their businesses and prepare them as borrowers.
  
  
• Assists the Associate Executive Director for Business Development and Lender in gathering required documentation in the preparation of loan applications.
  
  
• Identifies opportunities, common weaknesses and potential threats to the neighborhoods where our entrepreneurs are located.
  
  
• Identifies and solicits participation of appropriate community experts to serve as role models and mentors to the entrepreneurs to address opportunities, threats and weaknesses.
  
  
• Monitors the progress of participants through outreach and data tracking.
  
  
• Communicates potential threats to the loan portfolio to the Lender.
  
  
• Assists with the development and implementation of a course of action to address threats to the portfolio
  
  
• Assists with planning and development of new programs, initiatives and special events.
  
  
• Promotes and markets the products and services of the Rising Tide Community Loan Fund and Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley to prospective entrepreneurs, business owners, referral sources and the greater community.
  
  
• Maintains the confidentiality of agency, participant and staff information.
  
  
• Performs other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Hours: 40 hours/week; some evenings

Sites:

409 East 4th Street

Bethlehem, PA 18015

523-525 N 7th Street

Allentown PA 18102

1337 E 5th Street

Bethlehem PA 18015

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription
• Agency paid Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability Insurance
• 401 (k) Retirement Plan with agency contribution
• Generous Paid Leave Time-

• • Vacation- 15 Days: Earn more time after 2- and 5-year anniversaries
  • Sick- 9 days annually
  • 10 Observed Holidays

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's Degree required, with preference for degree in Business Administration, including course work in marketing and/or advertising

Experience in operating and promoting a business

Capacity to work in a team environment

Lending experience preferred

Management experience preferred

Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred

Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing

An outgoing personality with professional and interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively with a wide range of people

Computer skills and ability to work in Microsoft Office (Word, Access, Excel)

Personal vehicle or access to independent transportation required

Valid driver's license required

Proof of motor vehicle insurance (for use of personal vehicle)

PA State Police criminal record check required

Child Abuse History Clearance required

FBI Criminal History background check required