Business Counsellor

**Business Counsellor**

**(Short term contract to end March 2026)**

ISANS is seeking a full
- time Business Counsellor to provide self-employment counselling, coaching and ongoing support to immigrants who want to start or grow a business in Nova Scotia. Reporting to the Supervisor and the Manager, Business & Workforce Integration, this position will be responsible for:

- meeting one-on-one with start-up clients and/or business owners to provide business counseling
- conducting needs assessment, goal setting, creating an action plan and providing guidance to clients about business start-up, and/or follow-up guidance at each stage of business growth
- providing information, coaching, and assistance with idea generation, specific business issues, research and challenges
- keeping up-to-date on trends in the business community and labour market
- advising clients about networking opportunities to promote their products/services including coordination of and participation in ISANS Business Networking events and other networking events; recruiting guest speakers for events as required; promoting events to the media and business community at large
- producing and distributing timely promotional material
- referring clients to ISANS Business Training Programs
- informing clients of external training and networking opportunities
- connecting with other business service providers, government agencies and professionals, including private and public sector for the benefit of clients
- maintaining a professional relationship with clients including using their expertise in supporting/advising new entrepreneurs
- recognizing opportunities for partnering on projects
- practicing advocacy activities by attending or occasionally speaking at events, representing clients and the BWI team
- Keeping up-to-date on latest technologies and business trends in order to pass the knowledge to clients
- Assisting with workshop preparation and workshop facilitation when appropriate
- Identifying with other colleagues the most updated strategies and tactics that will allow clients to save time and money
- Providing business plan resources, tools and support
- attracting immigrant entrepreneurs to join the Online Business Director
- referring clients to appropriate resources and organizations
- Providing business counseling pre-landing, distance, or face-to-face

**Education**:

- Bachelors Degree or
- Equivalent combination of education and experience will be accepted
- Adult Education/training certificate/diploma an asset
- Counselling Certificate an asset

**Experience**:

- 2 years experience in a similar position
- Experience working in a cross-cultural environment; experience delivering direct service to immigrants preferred
- Experience and understanding of the local business community
- Experience with networking and outreach
- Experience in group facilitation
- Experience delivering presentations

**Skills**:

- Strong written and verbal English communication skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Strong time management and organization skills
- Additional languages an asset

**ISANS Core Competencies**

**Cultural Competency; Equity, Diversity & Inclusion**
- Embracing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization

**Collaboration**
- Working collaboratively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives

**Continuous Learning**
- Continually seeking new knowledge and skills, as well as developing existing capabilities

**Innovative Thinking**
- Introducing new ways of looking at problems and developing useful ideas that are new, better, or unique

**Accountability**
- Holding self and others responsible and accountable to being transparent and principled in our approach and to meeting commitments

**Respect**
- Actively encouraging an environment of fairness, honesty and integrity for all

**Terms of Employment**:

- Short-term contract to March 31, 2026
- Full-time, 35 hours per week
- Hybrid work environment: work location will be determined by operational requirements, prioritizing ISANS mission and clients to determine the right balance of in-person and virtual work.

**Commencement Date**:ASAP

**Closing Date**:Wednesday July 9, 2025- 4 p.m.

Only those eligible to work in Canada will be considered for this position.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 8 months

Pay: $45,700.68-$49,920.29 per year

**Benefits**:

- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Halifax, NS B3L 4P1

Application deadline: 2025-07-09