RISE Community Business Navigator

Description

CIC is currently seeking a candidate or candidates to serve as part time RISE Community Business Navigator(s) for up to 20 hours per week. The position will contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of the RISE Collaborative regional entrepreneurship and innovation initiative. This position will be based at the SOVA Innovation Hub coworking space in South Boston, Virginia, and will require weekly travel within the RISE region and occasional evening or weekend events. The RISE Community Business Navigator will be responsible for working directly with entrepreneurs and business owners to help them connect to and access resources (ex: capital, technical assistance, mentor or peer support) for their businesses and coordinating with the RISE Navigator Program Manager to ensure collective impact across the region. The position will report to the RISE Navigator Program Manager.

RISE Collaborative is a regional entrepreneurship and innovation initiative serving 15 localities in Southern Virginia, spanning Brunswick County west to Patrick County and north to Buckingham County. Note: Through an agreement with the SOVA Innovation Hub and GO Virginia, this is a grant-funded, part-time position for up to 24 months and may be extended if additional grant resources are identified.

The RISE Community Business Navigator will be based and primarily work from the SOVA Innovation Hub, 715 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, VA 24592. The successful candidate will need to live within the Virginia/North Carolina region. This is a hybrid position with some remote work (1-2 days/week) and in-person work, including reporting to the SOVA Innovation Hub and traveling to meet with entrepreneurs in the project region.

Job Duties

Within the limits of the CIC’s programs, policies, procedures, and budget, the RISE Community Business Navigator is responsible for and has authority to perform the duties listed below:

Communicate systematically with local and regional economic developers within their footprint to share updates on RISE Collaborative to develop and maintain a referral pipeline of potential entrepreneurs and innovators aligned with traded sector and/or scalable business opportunities.
Work with local and regional partners including SBDC, economic developers, Chamber of Commerce and others, to understand resources available to start, or expand, small businesses. Maintain a referral network of local service providers, business resources, state and federal agency resources, and financial institutions for emerging and growing business owners to access.
Collaborates with the RISE Navigator Program Manager, other RISE Community Business Navigators, aspiring and local entrepreneurs to ascertain the needs of business owners in the region
Implements and grows the SOVA Innovation Hub’s RISE Collaborative initiative, including identifying and developing relationships with promising startups and existing businesses.
Works to help entrepreneurs navigate resources in the RISE Collaborative Ecosystem Map and find new ones. Tracks referrals from organizations and service providers and follows up to ensure the entrepreneur has received the assistance necessary.
Conducts outreach to existing solopreneurs and small businesses, resulting in one-on-one intake sessions to match the entrepreneur with the right resources at the right time.
Facilitates networking opportunities for program participants. Mentors entrepreneurs one-on-one and in small groups in technical skill sets and sit side by side with entrepreneurs to deliver tangible outcomes (ex. Small Business Loan Application or a Business Website).
Participate in the development, promotion, coordination, and delivery of entrepreneurial boot camp programs, workshops, training programs, webinars, and panels relevant to small business and organizational needs, as well as the creation and maintenance of the appropriate tools and databases. Marketing and program development should target scalable and/or traded sector business opportunities to fulfill grant requirements.
Document, monitor, and evaluate activities and services, grant hours, and efficacy, including use of reports, data management, and other tools as appropriate.

Skills Required

Have a passion for small business/entrepreneurship, creating a more equitable ecosystem for entrepreneurs of diverse backgrounds, and driving economic development through entrepreneurship and innovation.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders, including entrepreneurs, investors, government officials, and industry professionals.
Understanding of the principles, standards, and practices of small and micro business operations including financial management and/or digital marketing.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with others and successful work in teams.
Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and be adaptable to change.
Must be able to work independently to manage multiple activities, prioritize tasks, and resolve problems.
Must be comfortable reaching out to communities and individuals without prior engagement.
Ability to develop, and present programs and training in an engaging manner, to either a virtual or in-person audience.
Strong attention to detail.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and Outlook), OneDrive, Google Suite, database management, and task management systems (e.g. Trello, Asana),
Must possess a valid driver’s license due to travel expectations, including weekly travel within the project region.

Work Schedule

9a-5p, This is a hybrid position with some remote work (1-2 days/week) and in-person work, including reporting to the SOVA Innovation Hub and traveling to meet with entrepreneurs in the project region. Will require weekly travel within the RISE region and occasional evening or weekend events.

Additional Info

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working with or servicing under-resourced or under-served populations.
Minimum of one (1) year of demonstrated experience in entrepreneurship or innovation-related roles.
General understanding of digital marketing or willingness to learn basic digital marketing skills, including social media, Canva, and email marketing platforms.
Proficiency in leveraging technology and digital tools to enhance program delivery and participant engagement.
Ability and willingness to utilize new technology solutions (e.g. ChatGPT).