Small Business Advisor

Overview
The City of Kitchener is seeking a forward‑thinking, community‑minded leader who is passionate about supporting local entrepreneurs and strengthening the region's business ecosystem.

As the Small Business 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.

This role strengthens both the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre (WRSBC) and the City of Kitchener's incubation facilities by integrating small business advisory services with community engagement and program development.

Responsibilities
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.
• Keep abreast of legislation, licensing and regulation changes regarding small businesses
• Recruit and build positive relationships with business mentors, industry experts, etc.
• Direct clients to funding sources and other business support programs/agencies.

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.).
• Monitor and troubleshoots entrepreneurs' progress; perform business site visits.
• Coordinate with industry experts for delivery of training sessions.
• Deliver and facilitate training sessions.
• Recruit mentors and facilitate group mentoring.

Administration

• Maintain CRM records for project outcomes, each client intake, consultation, workshops, events and outreach activity.
• Monitor 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.

Education

• 3-year degree or diploma in a related field (e.g., Business).

Experience

• Minimum 2 years of related experience demonstrating progressive responsibility including:

• Consulting and coaching small businesses.

• Working with entrepreneurs in different industry sectors, at different stages of business maturity, and diverse populations.
• Working with customer relationship management and/or database management software (e.g. Salesforce).

• Working with a Small Business Centre or Regional Innovation Centre as a client, employee, partner, or mentor is strongly preferred.

• Previous business ownership is an asset.

Skill Equivalency

Note: All interested applicants are encouraged to apply. In the event there is no successful applicant with the stated level of education and experience, other applicants will be considered if a combination of their education and experience meets the following pre-determined equivalency:

• 2-Year Diploma (or 2-Year Specialized Post-Secondary Program) with minimum 4 years related and relevant experience or 4-Year Honours Degree with minimum 1 year related and relevant experience.

Additional Requirements

• Access to reliable personal transportation for the full duration of employment to travel to various locations across the City.
• Able to work evenings to support business owners.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong knowledge of core business practices (eg: business plan development, financial projections, marketing, human resources, etc.).
• Knowledge of Waterloo Region business start-up ecosystem and resources.
• Strong Program and Project Management skills with strong demonstrated experience planning and developing high impact entrepreneurial programs.
• Exceptional communication skills and proven ability to present to small and large size groups both in-person and virtually.
• Fluency in a second language is an asset.
• Reliable with a good attitude and employment record.