Business Advisor Muskogee, Ok

Business Advisor – Muskogee, OK

Southeastern Oklahoma State University invites applications for the position of Business Advisor with the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center. This position is located in Muskogee, OK.

The core responsibility of the position is to provide small business management counseling and technical services to existing small business owners and to new entrepreneurs. The advisor will provide individual counseling as well as group training on topics such as business management principles, business finance, and marketing. Other responsibilities include identifying problem areas in a small business, developing outreach assistance programs, and developing relationships with area lenders and others providing support services to small businesses.

The advisor will be responsible for developing a diverse client portfolio to include existing small businesses poised for growth and expansion and startups and preventure clients. The advisor will demonstrate knowledge of accounting processes and financial statements and will provide financial analysis for the small business client to include cash flow management and business ratios. The advisor will be responsible for developing a network of lenders and funding partners within the assigned region to assist small business clients with business capitalization.

All work conducted by the advisor is strictly confidential and the advisor will be required to sign a Code of Professional Conduct and Conflict of Interest and Ethics Policy annually. Work is performed independently. Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, and availability of funds.

Essential duties and responsibilities include managing the portfolio of clients through the management information system database, providing management consulting which includes business plans for strategic planning and financing, marketing, accounting, finance, production, and facilities management for existing and prospective businesses, performing one-on-one confidential client consultation, delivering training in workshops and seminars, working with the State Office to develop and implement promotional and advocacy strategies, developing a diverse client base, actively engaging in a wide variety of professional development activities, meeting or exceeding all assigned goals and impact metrics, maintaining a high-level working relationship with clients, colleagues, partners, and the public, having well developed interviewing skills, having the ability to read, understand, and apply a variety of interrelated instructions, and being able to establish priorities according to relative organizational importance, manage time effectively, meet deadlines, and achieve goals.

Additional performance responsibilities include attendance and dependability, communication and contact, relationships with others, safety, and skills.

Minimum education, training, and experience include a Bachelor's degree in Business or related discipline, three years of small business ownership or business management experience, knowledge of the principles and requirements of starting and operating a successful small business in Oklahoma, ability to provide exceptional customer service and client satisfaction, excellent communication skills, proficient with personal computer capabilities, attention to detail with ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and meet deadlines, professional appearance and interpersonal demeanor, intermediate knowledge of commercial lending, business capitalization, including financing, funding and loan sourcing with the ability to develop a network of lenders and funding partners for client referrals, demonstrated knowledge of accounting processes, financial statements, financial analysis, cash flow management and business ratios, demonstrated expertise in a specialty which may include International Trade, Financial Analysis or Commercial Lending, Technology Commercialization, Marketing, Government Contracting, Human Resources, etc., ability to maintain confidentiality, valid driver's license, and ability to lift 40 pounds.

Preferred qualifications include a Master's degree in Business Management or other closely related discipline, five years of business ownership or management experience to include financial and operational management, payroll, accounting, marketing, knowledge of QuickBooks, experience as a loan officer or other similar business lending background, experience in economic development, experience with advocacy at the local or state level, knowledge of the business counseling and consulting process, and fluency in Spanish or other language in addition to English.

Southeastern Oklahoma State University continues the strong tradition of producing outstanding educators for southeast Oklahoma and north Texas. Student enrollment is approximately 6,000 students and the campus is situated in rural Oklahoma. The main campus is located in Durant, Oklahoma, which is 90 miles north of Dallas, Texas, and 150 miles southeast of Oklahoma City. The community is close to Lake Texoma and the Choctaw Casino Resort. Southeastern Oklahoma State University continues to be among the nation's most affordable universities according to the U. S. News & World Report's America's Best colleges.

The preferred start date is July 1, 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled. Southeastern offers a comprehensive benefits package including university paid health, vision, life insurance, long term disability, retirement contributions to Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System, as well as a tuition waiver for employees and spouse/dependents who wish to enroll at Southeastern. Southeastern offers 25 paid holidays per fiscal year and has a generous leave package including annual/vacation leave, sick leave, personal leave, and birthday leave. In addition to the SE paid benefits, there are many voluntary products available to employees such as 403(b), Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, dental, short term disability, dependent life insurance and a variety of ancillary benefits.

Employment is contingent upon the results of a national criminal and sex offender background check. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. SE participates in E-Verify. SE is an AA/EEO employer committed to multicultural diversity. Notice to applicants: If selected, official transcripts from each degree-granting institution will be required upon date of hire. It is Southeastern Oklahoma State University's policy that all newly hired employees must provide an original social security card during the hiring process. Failure to provide an original social security card will delay the hiring process and ability to begin employment.