Entrepreneurship Advisor

**Entrepreneurship Advisor & Community Connector**, SDG Idea Factory**

**Temporary Full Time for Approximately 18 Months**

**Competition Number**

2024-343

**Job Code**

1509

**Posting Date**

August 22, 2024

**Closing Date**

September 6, 2024 (at 6:00pm)

**Job Status**

Temporary Full-Time

The **City of Kitchener** is a vibrant and dynamic city of approximately 292,000, in the heart of southwestern Ontario. As the largest municipality in Waterloo Region, Kitchener continues to be poised for development and growth, enhancing its reputation as a leader in city-building and innovation, with nationally recognized strategies to build its neighbourhoods, its digital infrastructure and its diverse economy.The **City of Kitchener** is WHERE you want to work Learn more about the top reasons to join us:
**Why work at the City of Kitchener**

Position Overview:
The City of Kitchener is looking for an aspirational leader who is passionate about making a difference in our business community. The Entrepreneurship Advisor & Community Connector will drive the success of the SDG Idea Factory and the clients of the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre (WRSBC) by developing entrepreneurship programs and facilitating and supporting community-based sustainability initiatives.As an Entrepreneurship Advisor, you will develop and execute cohort-based programs for startup and early-stage businesses, providing coaching and guidance on all aspects of their business plans.- As a Community Connector, you will facilitate and lead efforts to grow the community within and connected to the SDG Idea Factory, including leading efforts and projects which advance the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.**Responsibilities**:
**_
Entrepreneurship Programs_**
- Develop small business training programs using in-person, cohort delivery models.
- Administer provincially funded Entrepreneurship Programs.
- Administer all aspects of program delivery (ex: promotion, intake, curriculum development, session delivery, etc.).
- Coordinate with industry experts for delivery of training sessions.
- Deliver and facilitate training sessions.
- Recruit mentors and facilitate group mentoring.
- Monitor and troubleshoot the progress of entrepreneurs participating in programs.

**_
Small Business Support_**
- Provide information, guidance and advice to clients from early stage, start-up, post-start-up to growth stage.
- Provide consulting services, review and make recommendations to entrepreneurs regarding improving business plans, financial projections, etc.
- Recruit and build positive relationships with business mentors, industry experts, etc.
- Direct clients to funding sources and other business support programs/agencies.
- Provide support primarily to entrepreneurs advancing social enterprise, climate change/sustainability enterprise and/or enterprises seeking to advance the United Nation’s Sustainable Development goals.

**_Community Connector_**
- Lead community building efforts that increase interest, participation and engagement at the SDG Idea Factory and other Waterloo Region Small Business Centre facilities/programs.
- Liaise with existing partners, stakeholders and tenants of the SDG Idea Factory to support the overall vibrancy and community within the building, facilitating joint projects where appropriate.
- Engage and build relationships with external community groups, entrepreneurs and organizations who are advancing the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
- Conceive of, design and deliver programs and events (ex: seminars, peer-to-peer groups) that support ecosystem building around the SDG Idea Factory and other Waterloo Region Small Business Centre facilities/programs.
- Partner with stakeholders and tenants of the SDG Idea Factory to advance mutually beneficial opportunities.
- Lead the work of Kitchener’s UCLG Local-4-Action Hub, including interacting with other Local-4-Action Hubs, and developing a shareable set of best practices.

**_Administration_**
- Maintains CRM records for project outcomes, each client intake, consultation, workshops, events and outreach activity.
- Monitors program budgets.
- Contribute to developing, creating and implementation of new entrepreneurship programs as opportunities to respond to grants/funding as they become available.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.

**Requirements**:
- Minimum 3-year Degree or Diploma in Business related fields.
- Minimum 2-4 years’ of relevant experience including advising businesses and/or developing training programs for entrepreneurs.
- Strong knowledge of core business practices (eg: business plan development, financial projections, marketing, human resources).
- Experience advising entrepreneurs at different stages of business maturity, including social enterprise and diverse populations is preferred.
- Demonstrated experience working with and administering Learning Management Systems, Online Webinar tools, Website developmen