Business Consultant

Overview Incumbents in this Business Consultant position provide statewide technical assistance to rural Utah agricultural businesses seeking to grow revenue, expand markets, and improve customer reach through e-commerce and digital marketing. The primary function of the position is to deliver one-on-one consulting, coaching, and implementation support to agricultural producers, agribusinesses, food and farm enterprises, and related rural businesses. Each consultant is expected to provide direct e-commerce and digital marketing technical assistance to at least two businesses per month, with services delivered in person, virtually, or through a hybrid format as appropriate for a statewide clientele. This is a grant-funded, 15-month appointment beginning July12026. Four positions are available. Successful candidates must demonstrate expert-level knowledge and practical experience in e-commerce, digital marketing, or both, with the ability to translate that expertise into actionable guidance for rural agricultural businesses. Responsibilities Provide individualized e-commerce and digital marketing technical assistance to rural Utah agricultural businesses, with a target of serving at least two businesses per month per consultant. Assess each participating business's current online presence, market position, customer base, digital capacity, and readiness to implement e-commerce or digital marketing improvements. Help agricultural businesses select, improve, and manage appropriate e-commerce platforms, online storefronts, payment systems, product listings, inventory workflows, shipping approaches, and customer service practices. Advise businesses on digital marketing strategy, including search engine optimization, social media marketing, email marketing, content planning, paid advertising, analytics, customer segmentation, and brand development. Provide practical coaching to help businesses implement recommended improvements rather than only providing general advice. Support businesses in developing measurable goals, action plans, timelines, and performance metrics related to online sales, customer acquisition, customer retention, and market expansion. Deliver services statewide to rural Utah agricultural businesses through virtual consultations, regional visits, on-site business evaluations, workshops, webinars, and partner referrals. Maintain accurate case notes, client records, service data, impact measures, and required documentation for university, grant, and partner reporting. Coordinate with USU Extension, agricultural organizations, economic development partners, local food systems partners, and other statewide stakeholders to identify eligible businesses and align technical assistance with rural economic development priorities. Develop or adapt educational materials, checklists, templates, and training resources related to agricultural e-commerce and digital marketing. Participate in program evaluation, outcome reporting, client follow-up, and continuous improvement of the technical-assistance model. Stay current on e-commerce tools, digital marketing practices, platform changes, analytics tools, artificial intelligence tools, consumer trends, and legal or regulatory considerations relevant to online agricultural sales. Perform other job-related duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications A bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, digital marketing, e-commerce, agricultural business, communications, information systems, entrepreneurship, Extension education, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and directly related professional experience. A minimum of two years of professional experience in e-commerce, digital marketing, business consulting, small business ownership, agricultural business support, or a closely related field. Demonstrated expert-level competence in e-commerce or digital marketing, including experience advising, managing, or implementing digital strategies for businesses. Ability to provide technical assistance to a statewide clientele of rural Utah agricultural businesses through virtual, in-person, and hybrid service models. Ability and willingness to travel within Utah, including to rural communities, as needed to meet program objectives. Preferred Qualifications Experience working with agricultural producers, agribusinesses, food businesses, farmers markets, value-added agriculture enterprises, or rural small businesses. Experience with platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, Etsy, Amazon, Google Business Profile, Meta Business Suite, email marketing platforms, customer relationship management tools, or comparable systems. Experience using analytics tools to measure website traffic, conversion rates, campaign performance, customer engagement, or return on marketing investment. Experience delivering technical assistance, Extension programming, workshops, webinars, or business coaching to adult learners. Professional certifications in digital marketing, e-commerce, analytics, platform administration, or related areas. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Expert knowledge of e-commerce or digital marketing, demonstrated through professional practice, consulting experience, platform management, campaign management, business ownership, or comparable applied experience. Knowledge of rural business conditions and the ability to adapt e-commerce and digital marketing strategies to the needs of rural Utah agricultural businesses. Knowledge of common e-commerce platforms, online marketplaces, payment systems, product catalog management, website optimization, customer relationship tools, and digital analytics. Skill in developing and implementing digital marketing strategies across websites, search, social media, email, online advertising, and content channels. Ability to diagnose business needs and provide clear, practical, prioritized recommendations that clients can implement. Skill in teaching, coaching, and supporting business owners and managers with varying levels of technical experience. Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts in plain language. Ability to manage a statewide client portfolio, schedule consultations, travel as needed, and meet monthly service targets. Ability to collect, maintain, and report accurate client-service data and program outcomes. Skill in organizing resources, establishing priorities, and managing multiple clients and deadlines efficiently. Ability to work effectively with agricultural businesses, Extension personnel, economic development partners, and diverse rural communities. Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when working with sensitive business information. Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, virtual meeting tools, customer relationship management systems, analytics dashboards, and other relevant digital tools. Required Documents Resume (to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Resume/CV). Cover letter (to be typed/pasted at the end of your application). Document size may not exceed 10MB. Advertised Salary Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits. ADA The environment and physical requirements may change depending on the specific function of the work each department performs. Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoors, in an office space, event space, or public space are protected from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes. Incumbents may nearly continuously sit and often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing). Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. This position requires moderate physical effort. Employees must have sufficient strength to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position, including lifting up to 25pounds, walking and standing. Employees must adhere to safety precautions and may be required to use protective equipment. Notice of Non-discrimination Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or applicable law. #J-18808-Ljbffr