Business Consultant (P/T)

Make a difference – help small business owners grow their businesses

Are you passionate about meaningful work? Do you want to give back by supporting women-owned and minority-owned businesses?

Join Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) as a part-time Business Consultant and help grow local small businesses.

About WEV

WEV (pronounced “weave”) is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women. We are a purposeful, mission-driven organization with a passionate and engaged staff based in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, whose primary focus is supporting women-owned businesses and entrepreneurship. WEV is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Become a Part-Time Business Consultant for WEV

WEV is seeking to hire part-time Business Consultants (35-60 hrs. per month) who are passionate about doing meaningful work by supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners. Note: this job description is for English-language Business Consultants. See additional job description if you are a bilingual English-Spanish speaker.

WEV’s Business Consultants work 1:1 with our clients to help them define their business strategy, and identify, prioritize, and achieve specific goals for their businesses, improving their business performance and profitability. The Business Consultant must have a knack for understanding complex problems and providing real-time appropriate solutions. The Business Consultant’s job is not to make decisions or solve problems for clients but to facilitate the development of those skills and support clients in making prudent judgments that will help ensure the long-term growth and success of their business.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Primary Responsibilities:

Client Support

• Conduct initial detailed assessment of client’s current business state and identify business strategy and goals based on functional priorities.
• Conduct regular meetings with client to assess progress against stated goals and priorities.
• Analyze business processes and outcomes, review process efficiency and adequacy, and recommend options for improving business performance and profitability.
• Identify where clients may require additional specialist support and communicate this to program staff.

Client Administration

• Track and record progress and details of client meetings in WEV database.
• Participate in monthly update meetings with program manager and other consultants.
• Submit biweekly timesheets to program manager, accurately and on time.
• Participate in internal trainings relating to performance improvement, diversity & inclusion, best practice client service, etc. as required.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

• 10+ years as a successful business owner, executive, or industry expert in a medium to large scale business.
• 5+ years of experience consulting/coaching with small business owners.
• General business skills (specialties in marketing, sales, finance, operations, technology, manufacturing, or other areas); expertise across a range of industries is a plus.
• Aptitude for analysis and problem solving; goal-oriented and able to come up with practical, actionable solutions.
• Ability to drive results for clients collaboratively, with the intention of developing the clients’ skills and decision-making capabilities.
• Willingness to meet clients where they are, listen to their needs, and deliver client-focused solutions.
• Highly-motivated, energetic, confident, and decisive.
• Aligned with WEV’s mission and dedicated to WEV’s clients.
• Excellent inter-personal, communication and client relations skills, including active listening, patience, and conflict resolution skills.
• Gains the confidence and trust of others by acting from a foundation of honesty, integrity, and authenticity; builds strong client relationships; acts as a cheerleader whilst also holding clients accountable.
• Proven high level of resilience and steadiness, ability to remain calm and provide reassurance in high pressure and sometimes emotional situations.
• Continues to develop professionally; is a lifelong learner.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders of varying social and cultural backgrounds at all levels.
• Demonstrated capacity to work in a highly organized manner both individually and collaboratively, proficient at scheduling and paperwork.
• Personal, reliable auto transportation and current auto insurance.

Education:

Preferred: Graduate or undergraduate degree in business, education, finance or related field.

Small business experience may substitute for degree.

Compensation:

$48 to $60/hr. DOE

Note: due to State legislation compliance, Business Consultants are part-time employees of WEV, not independent contractors; Santa Barbara/Ventura County residents are strongly preferred.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Apply

To apply, click the button below. You will be asked to upload a resume and cover letter, which should be addressed to WEV’s Hiring Manager. In your cover letter, please describe any personal or professional experience with entrepreneurship, if applicable. No phone calls, please.

Apply to Work with WEV