Small Business Center Specialist

The Purpose   

The role of the Specialist is to perform a variety of administrative and technical duties for the Small Business Center (SBC). The specialist oversees the event training schedule and offerings, and provides programmatic communication with instructors & students; coordinates budget updates and monthly reports; serves as liaison for SBC to faculty/staff/students of the college, the community, Chambers of Commerce, other SBC Directors and outside resource agencies; update and maintain SBCN N.C. Identity Management (NCID) database; assist with oversight of Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) SBC’s Business Incubator as advised; assist with guest counselor communication, contracts and client documentation.  

Why it’s Important

The Blue Ridge team is excited by every opportunity to be creative, innovative, and engaging. We do this by working alongside our staff to ensure we provide a modern, technologically advanced institution for the community. We are here to support our students to ensure they reach their highest potential. Our team engages with the community to ensure that we are consistently meeting standards and then rising above them. Guiding students along their educational journey is our calling and we are looking for like-minded teammates to help us serve our community. Whether a student is entering the workforce for the first time, entering a new profession, or just expanding their knowledge, we are here to provide the necessary tools to accomplish all their goals. Working together, no elevation is too high, and no summit is unreachable. 

What You'll be Doing    

• Provide professional customer service to clients/potential clients; independently respond to emails and general correspondence of a routine nature; prepares a variety of regular and confidential documents including general correspondence, agendas, reports, forms, certificates, contracts and memos; prepares copies of documents and distributes information. 
• Answer the telephone; respond to requests for information from the general public, students, faculty/staff; provide routine information and directions; schedule appointments with clients and convey messages.
• Performs data entry, data correction, and input of all client management case notes. 
• Oversees development of marketing materials (flyers & brochures; digital and print collateral) for SBC seminars with the appropriate logos, wording and registration information; upload and remove marketing material in a timely manner; submit support tickets to the Marketing Department for upcoming SBC events for the college website; responsible for the upkeep and current activities/meetings posted on the marquee board for SBC. 
• Coordinates special events, training sessions and workshops; prepare information packets and develop marketing materials; submit instructors' service agreement to SBC Director; print rosters and sign in sheet for SBC seminars and training events; collate and print other materials as instructed.
• Set up SBC training rooms (in-person & virtual) for scheduled seminars and events; collect and process class registration forms and class rosters. 
• Sets up class files with registration forms, attendance sheets, in accordance with established criteria defined by the College and the North Carolina Community College System Requirements.  Verifies all information for accuracy.  
• Participates in workshops, seminars, and other staff development activities. Serves on assigned special committees and projects.
• Demonstrates superior customer service to both internal and external clients. This includes community members, BRCC Students & Faculty, SBC Clients, employees, guests, vendors and customers of both BSI program participants and SBC partners. 
• Works closely with SBC Director to prepare and submit work orders, requisitions, and purchase orders as needed by the department.
• Manages the on-boarding of all incubator program participants (i.e. securing keys, ensuring room suitable, assigning copy codes/door codes, etc.).  Administers the rent/fee payments/invoicing for the incubator program.
• Manages room scheduling system for all classrooms and conference rooms within the SBC. Manages the calendars and scheduling for SBC staff and SBC guest counselors. Sets up conference/classrooms for events/seminars. Provides directional signs for SBC and BSI program participants.
• Excels in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher in respect to document creation and report purposes. Excels in Google Suite applications including Google Docs and Google Sheets. 
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director.

Additionally      

• Regular contact with others outside the immediate work area for the purpose of explaining, clarifying, or interpreting information.  Nature of the work may involve some contacts with persons outside of the college.
• May have minimal responsibility for receiving income such as library fines or fees, and may manage petty cash, transport money, or make bank deposits. Documents payments and invoices in departmental budget spreadsheet. 
• Does not supervise.
• Position has unlimited access to sensitive information regarding employees, students and/or the operations of the institution within a specific area or function.  Failure to exercise appropriate discretion could result in a loss of institutional privacy.

Education 

Associate’s degree in a related field

Experience 

• Three to five years’ experience working in a professional office environment and a working knowledge of standard practices and procedures applicable to the position.
• Customer Service experience with wide variety of individuals.
• Current and proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications. Comfort level with troubleshooting minimum technical issues with classroom technology; social media experience for business (Facebook, electronic newsletters, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in a business related field
• Experience working within higher education & continuing education department.
• One year of working in a small business ownership, or related experience.
• Notary Public – to oversee lease agreements for incubation program participants and partners.

Skills and the Know-How    

Education

Associate’s degree in a related field

Experience 

• Three to five years’ experience working in a professional office environment and a working knowledge of standard practices and procedures applicable to the position.
• Customer Service experience with wide variety of individuals.
• Current and proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications. Comfort level with troubleshooting minimum technical issues with classroom technology; social media experience for business (Facebook, electronic newsletters, etc.).

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in a business related field
• Experience working within higher education & continuing education department.
• One year of working in a small business ownership, or related experience.
• Notary Public – to oversee lease agreements for incubation program participants and partners.

Skills and the Know-How 

• Effective oral and written communication and presentation skills as well as interpersonal and team-oriented skills. This role serves as the first point of contact for SBC clients, incubator participants, students, political figures and the general public.   
• Ability to troubleshoot minor technology issues in the classroom, proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Access, and Publisher; comfortable with social media tools.
• Able to work flexible hours a combination of morning, afternoon, and evening.     
• Ability to quickly assess and respond to daily unforeseen matters some of which may occasionally be urgent.
• Ability and commitment to maintain complete confidentiality regarding all SBC and incubator clients.  
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial skills in respect to thinking outside the box, being proactive about seeking more efficient and effective ways to operate.
• Understanding of the BRCC’s mission, the Small Business Center Network (SBCN) mission and its practices essential to a successful delivery of education and counseling.   
•  Ability to work under deadlines; manage multi-projects simultaneously and to do so in a very open environment.
• Performs work under general supervision using established procedures and takes action based upon prescribed performance standards the majority of the time; some autonomy in making minor decisions and in taking action.

Physical Demands  

Physical demands are usually limited to sitting or standing and may require some stooping, lifting, or carrying objects of lightweight. 

Work is performed within routine office or classroom environment with no exposure to hazardous conditions.