Build Bronzeville is a collaboration between Urban Juncture Foundation and Urban Juncture, Inc., social enterprise startups focused on aggregating public, private, and philanthropic resources for neighborhood-driven community revitalization. Now celebrating our 20th year of building Bronzeville, we will grow rapidly over the next 3-5 years as we utilize recently broadened support to build out our Bronzeville Cookin’, The Forum and Boxville® platforms.
The Director of Small Business Development will foster small business growth by providing in-depth, confidential, no- to low-cost training and counseling, and resource and referral services to Bronzeville’s small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Directing the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Build Bronzeville, which provides a broad range of training and advisory services to small businesses.
- Developing and implementing a strategic plan consistent with the goals and strategies of the state SBDC program, as well as that of Urban Juncture.
- Coordinating business support activities with the Bronzeville Culinary Connection, our dedicated effort focused on culinary enterprises and with the Creative Incubator, which focuses on creative enterprises.
- Creating and managing a suite of supportive service offerings, including co-working, meeting and training, delivered at the Bronzeville Incubator.
- Providing and facilitating in-depth, confidential individual business advisory services and referrals to appropriate resources.
- Managing and developing the infrastructure, partnerships, and resources to support these efforts:
- Planning and marketing no- to low-cost training on subjects relevant to small business start-up and growth.
- Recruiting government, private and public entities, as well as businesses and businesspersons to provide voluntary services and/or training.
- Knowledge and management of multiple funding streams and expenditures, compliance and reporting.
- Developing funding proposals and submitting periodic reports as required by the SBA/SBDC Administrators, the SBA Business Development Specialist, and other resource providers.
- Ensuring timely and accurate data input into our client information management system.
- Maintaining client records.
- Evaluating and measuring effectiveness and impact of the center's programs and services.
- Recruiting, managing and developing employees.
- Promoting the small business development program and advocating for small business through developing appropriate advertising, promotion, and marketing materials and presentations to communities and entities.
- Developing relationships with key stakeholders including, but not limited to, Small Business Administration (SBA), banks, Chambers of Commerce, economic development organizations, trade groups, educational institutions, legislators, and host organizations.
- Attending local, regional and state meetings and conferences as required.
The Director of Small Business Development will be based at the Bronzeville Incubator and will work closely with other Build Bronzeville leaders to advance our community revitalization objectives. A strong candidate will have several key skills and attributes:
- B.A., B.S., or Masters Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or related field. In lieu of a degree, a minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in either business ownership and operations and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Small Business Experience
- Managerial (Personnel & Program) Experience
- Strong Oral/Written Communications
- Financing/Lending
- Strong analytical and innovative skills
- Finance/ Accounting: Debt & Equity Finance
- Sales and Marketing
- Technology
- Understanding of Chicago's South Side communities
- Self starter, collaborative, flexible, detail-oriented
- Able to work effectively with people from a range of backgrounds and with diverse styles and build effective coalition
- Strong project management skills; able to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects
- Economic Development
- Grant Writing Skills
Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment. Must have the ability to sit and stand for prolonged periods of time, walk short distances and be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times. This role requires occasional evening and weekend work and successful completion of the Certified Business Advisor® course within the first six months of employment.