Business Advisor of ECDI Tier 1 Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC)

Summary:
The Business Advisor serves as the primary consultant and trusted advisor for entrepreneurs participating in ECDI's Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC) Tier 1 program. This position provides comprehensive business advising, technical assistance, entrepreneurial education, and strategic coaching to minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-friendly, and socially and economically under-resourced businesses throughout the Greater Dayton region.

The Business Advisor works primarily with entrepreneurs in the ideation and startup stages, helping clients evaluate business concepts, develop sustainable business models, prepare financial projections, become capital-ready, connect with procurement opportunities, and transition into long-term business growth. This position plays a critical role in advancing ECDI's mission of creating equitable economic opportunity while meeting the performance expectations established by the Ohio Department of Development's Minority Business Development Division.

This position is a hybrid role required to work part of the time in-office, according to business need and manager direction.

The starting annual salary range for this position is $55,000-$65,000
Candidates for this position must be located in the Dayton Area.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Business Consulting & Client Advising

• Provide individualized one-on-one business consulting to entrepreneurs and small business owners.
• Conduct comprehensive business assessments to identify client strengths, challenges, and opportunities.
• Develop customized action plans designed to move businesses toward measurable growth.
• Assist clients with:
  • Business formation
  • Business planning
  • Financial forecasting
  • Marketing strategy
  • Pricing strategy
  • Market research
  • Cash flow planning
  • Operations planning
  • Growth strategies
• Prepare clients to become loan-ready by reviewing financial documents and business plans.
• Connect clients to ECDI lending products and appropriate external financing resources.
• Refer growth-stage clients to MBAC Tier 2 and other strategic partners as appropriate.

Training & Education

• Develop and facilitate workshops focused on entrepreneurship and small business development.
• Deliver presentations on topics such as:
  • Business Planning
  • Access to Capital
  • Financial Management
  • Marketing
  • Procurement Readiness
  • Certifications
  • Business Operations
• Evaluate participant outcomes and continuously improve training offerings.
• Represent ECDI at conferences, community events, and partner meetings.

Community Engagement & Outreach

• Build relationships with chambers of commerce, municipalities, financial institutions, educational partners, and community organizations.
• Promote MBAC services throughout the Greater Dayton service region.
• Participate in outreach events designed to recruit new entrepreneurs.
• Serve as an ambassador for ECDI and the MBAC program.
• Collaborate with ecosystem partners to ensure seamless client referrals.

Performance & Compliance

• Maintain complete and accurate client records.
• Document consulting activities and outcomes within required reporting systems within required timelines.
• Meet annual Key Performance Measures (KPIs), including:
  • Clients Served
  • Counseling Hours
  • Business Plans Developed
  • Referrals
  • Capital Infusion
• Assist with quarterly and annual reporting requirements.
• Ensure compliance with all Ohio Department of Development and ECDI policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to direct, lead, motivate, and supervise staff.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and implement projects and services incorporating effective decision-making skills.
• Comprehensive knowledge of standard office practices, procedures, equipment, and techniques; knowledge of adult learning techniques.
• Extremely strong administrative, organizational, interpersonal, communication skills.
• Computer Skills:
  • Experience with and knowledge of computer operation.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Entrepreneurship, Public Administration, Marketing, or related field.

OR

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in:

• • Small business ownership
  • Business consulting
  • Entrepreneurial development
  • Economic development
  • Commercial lending
  • Financial services
  • Business coaching

• Strong understanding of:

• • Small business operations
  • Financial statements
  • Cash flow analysis
  • Financial projections
  • Business planning
  • Marketing fundamentals

• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Valid Ohio driver's license with ability to travel throughout the Dayton service area.
• Ability to obtain Certified Business Advisor (CBA®) certification within six months of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Business Advisor (CBA®)
• Experience with SBA, MBAC, SBDC, APEX Accelerator, WBC, SCORE, or similar entrepreneurial support organizations.
• Experience working with underserved entrepreneurs.
• Knowledge of commercial lending and underwriting.
• Grant-funded program experience.
• Bilingual (Spanish preferred).
• Experience using CRM/client management systems.

Special Requirements:

• Occasional work outside of standard business hours and occasional travel to other ECDI offices required.

Core Competencies

• Business Consulting
• Financial Analysis
• Entrepreneur Coaching
• Strategic Planning
• Relationship Management
• Public Speaking & Facilitation
• Community Engagement
• Access to Capital Readiness
• Market Research
• Business Plan Development
• Problem Solving
• Cultural Competency
• Project Management
• Time Management
• Client Service Excellence

Other:

• Frequent local travel throughout the Greater Dayton region.
• Ability to conduct on-site business visits.
• Ability to facilitate workshops and public presentations.
• Prolonged periods of sitting, standing, and computer work.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds for outreach materials and event setup.
• This position is a hybrid role required to work part of the time in-office, according to business need and manager direction.
• Must have access to transportation to travel to and from the office and to meet with clients.
• Must be able to avoid risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.