Business Specialist

BUSINESS SPECIALIST - (2) POSITIONS AVAILABLE

ABOUT VENTURES: Ventures is a Seattle-based nonprofit that empowers aspiring entrepreneurs with limited resources and unlimited potential. We provide access to business training, capital, coaching, and hands-on learning opportunities for entrepreneurs. We serve those in our community for whom traditional business development services are out of reach, with a focus on women, people of color, immigrants, and individuals with low income. Our ultimate goal is to support individuals to increase their income potential, achieve long-term financial stability, provide for their families, and enrich their communities through small business ownership.

Ventures strives to provide impactful programs while maintaining a healthy work-life balance and a positive, team-oriented atmosphere. Our core values are diversity, integrity, community, empowerment, innovation, and client success. Our team typically consists of 10-20 employees, plus a corps of contractors and volunteers, as well as an engaged Board of Directors.

PURPOSE: The Business Specialist position contributes to the Ventures mission and long-term success of Ventures businesses by equipping low-income entrepreneurs to assess business feasibility before launch and growth. Business Specialists provide mission-based coaching and training to prepare Ventures entrepreneurs to move out of the idea stage and to meet milestones to participate in Ventures Graduate Services (retail, food, and capital programs). In addition to supporting client progression through the Ventures program, they fulfill an essential role to facilitate regular "Resource Roundup" sessions and client-led opportunities at Ventures.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Business Coaching (60%)

1. utilize the co-active coaching model to provide one-on-one coaching to new graduates of the ventures business basics course and to graduates lapsed for 1 years;
2. support ventures clients in pre-business/early stages of business and emerging businesses with a goal-based coaching model to move business ideas forward;
3. provide well-rounded knowledge of concepts taught in the business basics course, including marketing, sales, finances, and operations for micro-business owners;
4. act as an intermediary between business basics course completion and graduate services (retail, food, and capital programs):
5. lead required post-graduation business readiness meetings to assist new and lapsed graduates with business basics course concept comprehension, business goal-setting, and the completion of a business feasibility plan;
6. create individual, goal-based work plans for each graduate to complete their business feasibility plan and participate in graduate services based on readiness checklists provided by each department;
7. communicate department readiness criteria to graduates;
8. refer clients who fulfill readiness criteria;
9. create individual work plans for clients who do not meet criteria and follow up as necessary to support client-defined goals.

1. attend quarterly business basics courses to introduce coaching role to upcoming graduates;
2. develop process for new graduates to schedule business readiness meetings;
3. communicate scheduling process and timeline to upcoming graduates;
4. manage system to track client meeting progress and follow up with clients as necessary;
5. track meeting time with clients and enter data and meeting notes into client database in a timely manner.

business training and workshop facilitation (30%)

1. teach at least (2) trainings/year for ventures clients in pre-business or early stages of business and emerging businesses using ventures' core curriculum materials in marketing, sales, finances, and/or operations;
2. update core curriculum and training materials for relevancy;
3. develop regular opportunities for client-led activities encouraging peer support and resource-sharing, such as client-taught workshops, peer coaching sessions, and panel discussions;
4. facilitate ventures' weekly "resource roundup" sessions;
5. develop system to identify topics of interest and relevancy to ventures clients to provide engaging content attractive to clients and micro-business owners from the public;
6. identify opportunities to invite clients, staff, contractors, volunteers, and outside guest speakers to present;
7. collaborate with outreach & client engagement coordinator to send resource roundup information to ventures clients and to the public;
8. track client attendance and enter attendance of ventures clients into client database in a timely manner.

program team support (10%)

1. participate in regular coaching team meetings;
2. identify and advocate for emerging and consistent client needs with the coaching team;
3. once a quarter, join the team responsible for admitting new entrepreneurs into the business basics course and ventures program:
4. review business basics course applications and income verification documents for assigned entrepreneurs;
5. screen assigned applicants based on ventures program eligibility requirements;
6. conduct brief phone interviews with eligible applicants;
7. participate in deliberation meetings with all interviewing staff to make final admission decisions.

other duties may be assigned as needed.

qualifications:

required:

1. spanish language written and verbal skills required for (1) one of (2) positions hired;
2. passion for small business and entrepreneurship and enthusiasm to contribute to the ventures mission;
3. demonstrated knowledge of fundamental business concepts of marketing, sales, operations, and finances;
4. experience writing, preparing, and/or reviewing business plans for new and/or existing businesses;
5. experience planning, facilitating, and tracking one-on-one coaching meetings with adults;
6. ability to provide clarity and direction to reach business goals;
7. effective and engaging facilitation skills with the ability to break down and explain concepts for different learning styles and backgrounds in formal education;
8. experience teaching coursework in a group setting, ideally in adult education;
9. creativity and strong problem-solving skills to support clients facing challenges to move businesses forward;
10. compassion and empathy for entrepreneurs from vulnerable populations;
11. strong organization skills with a high level of attention to detail;
12. commitment to protecting the reputation and integrity of clients and staff through strict confidentiality.

preferred:

1. current or previous small business ownership;
2. experience in microenterprise development, small business development, asset building, financial empowerment, or related industry;
3. specialized knowledge and/or experience in one or more of the following: small business marketing, sales, finances, and/or operations;
4. experience working with diverse, vulnerable communities and possesses ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, income levels, etc.;
5. experience and/or knowledge of best practices in adult education;
6. language skills in chinese (mandarin or cantonese), vietnamese, korean, russian, and/or tagalog.

staff-wide expectations

all staff are expected to engage in activities that contribute to the general wellbeing of the organization. unless specifically stated otherwise, staff should expect to:

1. adhere to and demonstrate the ventures core values in their work;
2. participate in staff meetings, workgroups and committees, etc.,
3. contribute to the cleanliness and organization of the physical environment;
4. attend and participate in client and volunteer events when practical;
5. support fund development through activities such as attending and bringing guests to events, bringing content expertise to grant writing or donor solicitations, adhering to brand guidelines etc.;
6. exhibit the ventures core values: integrity, diversity, empowerment, community, innovation, and client-success.

compensation and benefits:

1. starting salary/rate: $24-$28 per hour, equivalent of $49,920-$58,240 per year
2. subsidized medical insurance – 90% of premiums paid for by ventures
3. paid dental insurance - 100% ventures paid premiums
4. flexible spending account (medical and daycare)
5. 403b retirement account with 2.5% employer contribution
6. life and long term disability insurance
7. subsidized orca pass
8. annual professional development & workplace wellness spending allowance
9. 17 paid holidays per year
10. 17 to 22 paid vacation days per year (depending on tenure)
11. 12 paid sick days per year

details:

1. department: programs
2. tax class / fsla status: non-exempt
3. supervisor: training and coaching programs manager
4. supervisory responsibilities: none
5. schedule: full time, 40 hours per week, exact schedule to be determined, some evening and weekend trainings, events and client support required.
6. location: "the 2100 building" - 2100 24thavenue south, suite 380, seattle, wa 98144
7. note: staff are working remotely through 12/31/2021, with the potential for extension, however this position requires occasional in-person meetings with clients and ventures staff.

1. desired start date: the desired start date for both positions will be on january 24, 2021, with the potential to start earlier. the positions will remain open until we find our ideal candidates. no phone calls please.

to apply:

please send a cover letter highlighting how your qualifications align with this position and your resume to:

amy hollander, training and coaching programs manager

ahollander(at)venturesnonprofit.org

background check procedure

the offer of this position at ventures is contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check.

reasonable accomodations

reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities can be made upon request. to request an accommodation or for further information, please contact amy hollander at ahollander(at)venturesnonprofit.org.

physical demands/working conditions

the employee must be able to operate a computer and other office equipment, speak and listen on the telephone, and accurately see and interpret columns of numbers. this position will need to travel (when appropriate) to client business sites.

this position description generally describes the principle functions of the position and the level of knowledge and skills typically required. it does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee, and it is subject to change as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

ventures is an equal opportunity employer. applications are considered without regard to race, age, sex, color, creed, religion, disability, national origin, marital status, mental or physical handicap, sexual orientation (heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality and gender expression of identity) or any other classification protected by law.

job type: full-time

pay: $49,920.00 - $58,240.00 per year

benefits:

1. dental insurance
2. flexible schedule
3. flexible spending account
4. health insurance
5. life insurance
6. paid time off
7. professional development assistance
8. retirement plan
9. vision insurance

schedule:

1. 8 hour shift
2. monday to friday

covid-19 considerations:Staff are working remotely through 12/31/2021, with the potential for extension, however this position requires occasional in-person meetings with clients and Ventures staff.

Ability to commute/relocate:

1. Seattle, WA 98144: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

1. What experience do you have with business concepts of marketing, sales, operations, and finances?
2. Why are you interested in working at Ventures Nonprofit?

Language:

1. Spanish (Preferred)

License/Certification:

1. Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location: One location