Business Advisor

**Post Date**: May 2, 2025**Closing Date**: May 22, 2025 4:30 pm**Department**: Economic Development**Job Type**: Full Time**The Corporation of the County of Huron’s Economic Development department is seeking a Business Advisor****:
**Position Summary**:
As a member of the Economic Development Department, the Business Advisor is a key member of the team that is focused on individual business support services. This position provides high quality coaching, advisory support and mentorship to clients along the business lifecycle (startup, growth, transition or succession), across all sectors within the County of Huron. The Advisor delivers services in both 1:1 and group formats. Advisors work virtually, in person at the business site, in person at the Economic Development office in Goderich as well as at sites in all 9 lower tier municipalities.

To support this work, this role is responsible for building and maintaining a resource library; educating clients on available workshops and training opportunities; as well as maintaining a network of services and contacts that can support clients in achieving their goals.

The Advisor is responsible for supporting the planning and delivery of business programs and services; supporting marketing and communication efforts; as well as administrative duties which include report writing, note taking, and building trust with colleagues, clients, and partners.
- Inspires a culture of entrepreneurship by providing professional, individual guidance to local entrepreneurs
- Stays current on market and economic trends
- Maintains active business networks, locally, regionally and provincially

Advisors run our signature programs Starter Company Plus and Summer Company. They advertise for participants, evaluate applicant readiness for the program, refer applicants to other resources if not program ready or onboard if program ready. Program participants work through set modules and receive coaching throughout the program. Advisors organize and run a “Dragon’s Den” style competition where they select and prepare a panel of judges and participants have a chance to win a cash grant.

**What We Offer**:
At the County of Huron, we’re committed to offering a modern work environment that puts people first. We are a Certified Living Wage employer that values equity, diversity and inclusion. We offer our staff competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package.

The County of Huron offers a diverse portfolio of employment opportunities. When you join our team, you’ll have the benefit of working with and learning from, people who have a broad range of skills and knowledge. We offer training, mentorship, and career development opportunities to all staff. When you work for the County of Huron, you invest in the community, and you benefit from seeing the results of your efforts firsthand. It’s a great place to work

**Role and Responsibilities**:
- Provides on-on-one coaching to entrepreneur and business clients, which includes:

Helping clients to identify the viability of their products or services;
- Assessing and defining opportunities for growth;
- Supporting the development or update of business plans, cash flow projections and marketing plans;
- Identifying and connecting business clients to resources, training, public and private sector supports and other local businesses that could help them grow and prosper.
- Coaching will be delivered throughout Huron County, both in person and virtually.
- Identifies, develops and delivers new programming as the need arises. Advisors may also deliver programming like Be Your Own Boss for elementary and secondary school youth. Advisors identify and deliver other innovative programming to support the Huron County Business community.
- Acts as part of a team responsible for the planning and execution of business networking events, training seminars, and other learning opportunities relevant to business owners and entrepreneurs in Huron County.
- Work in partnership with other department staff including those responsible for the delivery of similar services and related programs. Such as investment attraction with EDO’s or Digital Service Squad staff for coaching, or Newcomer business development with the Immigration Partnership.
- Fosters strong partnerships with relevant: county, municipal, provincial and federal officials; Community Futures Development Corporations; economic development officers; business groups (Business Improvement Areas, Chambers of Commerce); sector organizations like the Huron Manufacturing Association; educational institutions and employment services agencies; the Small Business Centre Ontario Network and other provincial organizations; as well as banks, lawyers, accountants and any other external professional service providers.
- Responsible for developing and delivering client and coaching reports (including performance outcomes) to funders, County Council, the Huron County Economic Development Board, our partner Munici