Small Business Consultant

**Job ID**: 50307

**Job Category**:Economic Development, Arts & Culture

**Division & Section**:Economic Development & Culture, EDC Business Growth Services

**Work Location**:North York Civic Center & Scarborough Civic Center

**Job Type & Duration**:Permanent, Full-Time vacancy

**Hourly Rate and Wage Grade**:$43.58 - $47.75

**Shift Information**: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week, (Hybrid)

**Affiliation**: L79 Full-time

**Number of Positions Open**: 1

**Posting Period**: 07-Oct-2024 to 22-Oct-2024

**Major Responsibilities**:
Reporting to the Manager, Entrepreneurship Services, the Small Business Consultant will be responsible for delivering innovative entrepreneurship and small business programs and services to Toronto's entrepreneurial and small business clients. The Small Business Consultant will also assist the Manager build a small business advocacy network to promote the vitality of local enterprises, and develop innovative partnerships that will support the Small Business Program, thereby fostering economic growth for the City of Toronto.
- Provides coaching and consultations to small business entrepreneurs in business planning, marketing, financing and overall business strategies and provides advice regarding government or other programs
- Develops and delivers seminars, training programs and special events
- Maintains a client database for statistical tracking and monitoring purposes
- Builds and maintains relationships with local small business networks and business associations reflecting the racial, ethnic and cultural diversity of Toronto's business community
- Assists the Manager of Small Business in designing innovative programs and enhancing existing ones to support and advance the needs of new entrepreneurs and small businesses and delivers these programs
- Assists the manager of Small Business in identifying opportunities and challenges facing new business, including legislation, licensing, permitting and regulations pertaining to small business growth and where appropriate advocating change
- Communicates with organizations, federal, provincial and municipal agencies and departments on matters pertaining to small business formation and growth
- Seeks out and attends target community and business meetings and makes presentations regarding small business services and opportunities
- Identifies prospective partners and explores a variety of new ideas and initiatives for revenue generation
- Assists the Manager of Small Business to develop an innovative and supportive environment for small business by fostering alliances and partnerships with private, government and third sector organizations
- Assists the Manager of Small Business to identify and negotiate partnerships with external funding and in-kind agencies, including the Ministry of Economic Development Job Creation & Trade (MEDJCT)
- Develops, administers and tracks various grant funding streams developed by Entrepreneurship Services.
- Keeps current with small business policy, program and regulatory changes at federal, provincial and municipal levels
- Participates in the annual preparation and implementation of Enterprise Toronto's work plan

**Key Qualifications**:

- Experience coaching and mentoring small business owners and entrepreneurs to achieve successful business outcomes including sales growth, financing, increased production capacity, hiring new staff, commercializing new technology and/or entering new markets.
- Extensive experience in advising entrepreneurs related to their business, financial, operations, human resources and marketing plans.
- Experience in fundraising, leveraging resources and generating revenue opportunities.
- Considerable experience building and maintaining relationship with local small business networks and business associations, reflecting the racial, ethnic and cultural diversity of Toronto's business community
- Post-secondary education in business OR a discipline pertinent to the job function combined with relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

**You must also have**
- Innovative and dynamic thinking ability with a commitment to supporting small business entrepreneurs.
- Technical knowledge of areas affecting business start-ups including sales & marketing, cash flow management, financing, operations management, import/export, and staffing.
- Proficiency in human relations skills, communication and committee development, public relations and promotion.
- Strong interpersonal skills with ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, at all organizational levels.
- Strong organizational, planning, problem-solving, presentation and project management skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Salesforce.
- Sound executive judgment and ability in handling matters of a confidential and/or sensitive nature as it relates to business executives, Council and other management and senior staff