SBDC Charles County Business Consultant PT

Position Summary Located 45 minutes from the Nation's Capital, nestled in a history-rich community of southern Maryland, The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is a two-time Aspen Award-winning institution (top 15% of Community Colleges) with academic programs in over 100 disciplines. CSM is among America's top 100 producers of Minority Associate Degrees in twenty categories, according toDiverse Issues in Higher Education. CSM offers excellent health insurance benefits; State Retirement Pension plan; wellness programs; Code Green early closure Fridays in the summer; college closure for spring break and several major holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year; and for several days in March for Spring Break. We are an innovative institution committed to student success and well known for our flexibility to meet student and community needs. We are seeking a Part-Time Consultant to join the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the College of Southern Maryland. The consultant will play a vital role in offering guidance and backing to small businesses that originated in Charles County during the COVID-19 pandemic but encountered hurdles in actualizing their business blueprints. Additionally, the consultant will extend their support to aspiring entrepreneurs who desire to start businesses due to the impact of COVID-19. This role will be primarily dedicated to aiding businesses in their initial phases and contributing to their revival through the provision of strategic advisory services. These services include start-up strategies, recovery roadmaps, market analysis, and other relevant support The work schedule for this position is 29 hours per week. Flexibility is required. College of Southern Maryland conducts background checks in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the College's staff and students. The final candidate for this position will be subject to the following background checks: Criminal History Check and Sex Offender Registry Check. This position is open until filled. The College of Southern Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Specific Duties and Responsibilities Assess the current situation of each small business, identifying the specific challenges they faced during the pandemic. Share practical resources, industry insights, and networking avenues with aspiring entrepreneurs, fostering an environment that encourages the successful launch of new businesses. Support and mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, assisting in refining business ideas, creating actionable plans, and overcoming challenges during the startup process. Collaborate with business owners to develop customized start-up strategies and action plans to address the identified challenges. Offer advice on managing resources, financial planning, and operational enhancements to improve the initial stages of business establishment. Provide insights and recommendations on marketing strategies, customer acquisition, and brand positioning to foster business growth. Support the development of marketing materials and digital marketing campaigns tailored to the specific needs of each small business. Provide ongoing support and guidance through regular check-ins, progress evaluations, and adjustments to the consulting approach as necessary. Stay in regular contact with the Southern Region Director of MD SBDC, sharing updates and participating in meetings as necessary. This role involves keeping SBDC leadership informed about the advancement and status of the clients being supported.