Iron Range Business Advisor

The Entrepreneur Fund is an economic development organization committed to growing the regional economy by boosting the abilities of the region’s business owners seeking growth. We actively partner with small business owners to grow their business. EF provides small business loans up to $750,000 and a variety of services to support entrepreneurs in meeting their goals. EF serves 17 counties of northeast Minnesota, central Minnesota, and northwest Wisconsin. Our vision is to have vibrant communities that are created and sustained by entrepreneurs.

Position Overview:
The Business Advisor works with regional Entrepreneur Fund Loan Clients to achieve their business goals. They provide direct consulting, guide the client’s development, and serve as a trusted advisor to the business owner. The Business Advisor acts as the long-term Entrepreneur Fund relationship with its clients and acts as the key access point for a variety of Entrepreneur Fund services appropriate to their needs. The Business Advisor will assist Entrepreneur Fund Loan Clients with all stages of business development (start up, expansion through succession planning). This position is responsible for covering northern Minnesota. Travel will vary, but averages 2-3 days per week. This position may office in Grand Rapids, Hibbing or Eveleth.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A demonstrated record of owning and operating a business or working with business owners.
• Business Administration Degree or equivalent field.
• A coaching mindset and experience in supporting others. Able to guide a small business owner’s development by discovering goals/aspirations, diagnosing key issues with clients, and effectively facilitating client’s progress to achieve measurable results.
• Strong business acumen. Competencies as a generalist in marketing, sales, finance and leadership.
• The ability to lead through a strategic framework. Bringing practical knowledge and application tools is necessary to ensure client work is aligned with goals.
• Exemplary financial acumen. The ability to interpret financial statements and lead a client through cash flow planning & forecasting. A demonstrated knowledge in business finance; both debt and equity.
• A positive, results oriented team first attitude.
• A passion for small business.
• Exceptional oral and verbal communication skills.
• A strong desire and willingness to learn.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Key Measures of Success:

• EF SBA Micro-Loan Clients are achieving business results.
• Strong relationships built and maintained with all EF Loan Clients.
• Exceeding specific SBA Micro-loan program grant goals.
• Prospective borrowers are effectively prepared to apply for financing.
• EF Loan Clients engaging in specific EF Service offerings (Be Strategic & EOS).

Responsibilities Include:

Business Advisement (75%)

Prepare potential borrowers for financing. (20%)

Guide the client through determining feasibility and viability through business planning and financial forecasting.

Provide in-depth narrative analysis on the key assumptions of the proposal, feasibility & viability of the project, and the capabilities of the applicant.

Conduct extensive due diligence and work collaboratively with the lending team.

Use local resources to assist clients planning (SBDC).

Actively partner and build relationships with EF SBA Micro-Loan Clients to assist them in outlining their needs, providing services, and guiding them towards meeting their goals. (55%)

Cash flow analysis.

Use local resources to assist clients.

• Financial (quick-books) technical assistance.
• Human resource development.
• Marketing analysis.
• Succession planning.

Strategic business planning.

Become the “Trusted Partner” for EF loan clients to “try out” new ideas before implementing.

Conduct and document annual EF Loan Client meetings.

In coordination with supervisor, to consult with troubled EF Loan Clients through loan workout situations.

Program Administration (15%)

Understand & implement SBA microloan program grant objectives related to consulting with existing borrowers.

• Recruit & facilitate programs and Entrepreneur Fund classes for EF loan clients (Be Strategic & Core IV).
• Ensure SBA Micro-loan Clients are connected to EF Advisory Services. Complete administrative functions: log customer time, write grant activity reports, collect customer documentation, and other specific tasks.

Impact reporting duties to certain funders and for organizational needs.

Prepare and file written documentation on each counseling session with each customer.

Recruitment & Networking (10%)

Seek out and build relationships with EF Loan Clients with growth potential to enroll in EF service offerings (Be-Strategic and EOS).

Be known as a trusted and credible source of business advisement to EF Loan Clients at various business stages.

Foster partnerships with public and private service professionals to assist EF Loan Clients in building appropriate connections, resources, and competency.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Please list 2-3 dates and time ranges that you could do a phone interview.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Small Business: 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Eveleth, MN 55734

Salary : $750,000 - $0