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JOB TITLE: Business Counselor
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
PROGRAM: Women’s Business Center of North Carolina (WBCNC)
PROGRAM PARTNER: Center for Entrepreneurship & Partnership Engagement
LOCATION: Triangle & Eastern, NC / In-person, Hybrid potential
CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt
TYPE: Full-Time

The Women’s Business Center of NC helps entrepreneurs start and scale successful businesses through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and programming. Our mission centers on women entrepreneurs, and we proudly serve all entrepreneurs, regardless of gender, background, industry, or stage of business.

Position Summary

The Business Counselor provides individualized coaching and training to aspiring and established business owners. You will guide clients from idea to launch to growth, helping them build strong financial foundations, make informed decisions, and connect with resources. You will also help deliver workshops and programs that serve our community.

Client Coaching and Counseling

• Provide confidential one-on-one coaching to entrepreneurs at all stages, from pre-startup through growth and expansion
• Use the GrowthWheel framework to assess client needs, set priorities, and create actionable plans
• Support clients with business planning, marketing, operations, pricing, and growth strategy
• Guide clients through business and personal credit, financial statements, cash flow, and access to capital
• Track client progress and follow up to keep clients accountable and moving forward

Programming and Facilitation

• Facilitate and co-facilitate workshops, cohorts, and training sessions on startup and scaling topics, where applicable
• Support outreach and recruitment so programming reaches a diverse range of entrepreneurs
• Be available to attend and support WBCNC-hosted virtual and in-person events, as applicable.

Partnerships and Referrals

• Build relationships with lenders, community organizations, corporations, and other service providers
• Connect clients to funding sources, certifications, networks, and complementary internal and external resources

Reporting and Administration

• Maintain accurate client records and session notes in Sales Force system
• Collect data and outcomes (clients served, businesses started, jobs created, capital accessed) and support funder reporting
• Contribute to grant deliverables and program evaluation
• Enter counseling records into Nexus

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience in business, finance, entrepreneurship, or a related field
• [3+] years of experience in small business ownership, business advising, banking or lending, or a related field
• Strong working knowledge of business finance, credit, and capital readiness
• Excellent communication, listening, and facilitation skills
• Ability to coach clients from diverse backgrounds with respect, empathy, and honesty
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace and virtual meeting tools

Preferred

• GrowthWheel certification (or willingness to become certified within [6] months)
• Experience facilitating financial or business education sessions
• Experience with nonprofit, SBA resource partner, or economic development programs
• Familiarity with North Carolina’s small business ecosystem and resources
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus

Core Competencies

• Client-centered coaching and strong rapport-building
• Financial literacy and analytical thinking
• Facilitation and public speaking
• Organization and ability to manage a varied caseload
• Collaboration and a spirit of service

Working Conditions

• Some evening or weekend hours for workshops and events
• Occasional local travel to partner sites and community events

Compensation and Benefits

$50,000 – $52,000

For consideration, any interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume. Cover letters must address candidate experience and qualifications being sought. All materials should be sent to Valeria Hernandez at HR@TheInstituteNC.org with email Subject Title: Business Counselor – WBCNC

The National Institute of Minority Economic Development its Subsidiaries and affiliates provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, age, medical condition, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, caregiver status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

JOB TITLE: Marketing, Social Media & Client Engagement Intern
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
PROGRAM: Women’s Business Center of North Carolina (WBCNC)
PROGRAM PARTNER: Center for Entrepreneurship & Partnership Engagement
LOCATION: Raleigh/Durham, NC
TYPE: 10 hours per month, with more available if the intern’s schedule allows
DURATION: School year, with the option to extend
PAY: Unpaid

The Women’s Business Center of NC helps entrepreneurs start and scale successful businesses through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and programming. Our mission centers on women entrepreneurs, and we proudly serve all entrepreneurs, regardless of gender, background, industry, or stage of business.

Key Responsibilities

Marketing & Social Media

• Help plan and maintain a monthly content calendar across our social platforms
• Draft and schedule posts promoting workshops, events, and programs
• Create simple graphics using Canva or a similar tool
• Share client wins, partner news, and local small business resources
• Track basic engagement metrics (reach, likes, follows, event sign-ups) and report monthly

Client Check-Ins & Journey Tracking

• Reach out to clients to see how they’re progressing
• Log updates, milestones, and needs in our client tracking system
• Flag clients who may need extra support or a follow-up coaching session
• Help collect feedback after workshops and coaching sessions

Monthly Client Spotlight

• Identify and recommend candidates, in partnership with the Executive Director
• Conduct short interviews with spotlight clients
• Write the feature, gather photos, and get client approval before publishing
• Publish across social media, our newsletter, and our website
• Keep a running bank of potential future spotlight clients

Other Support (as time allows)

• Assist with event promotion and day-of support at workshops
• Help gather testimonials and success stories for grant reports and funder updates
• Research local events, partners, or resources worth sharing with clients

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a college, university, or certificate program and looking to gain hands on experience
• Strong written communication skills and a friendly, professional manner
• Comfortable with social media platforms and basic design tools
• Organized and able to manage deadlines independently
• Interest in entrepreneurship, women’s economic empowerment, or nonprofit work
• Discretion with confidential client information

What the Intern Will Gain

• Hands-on experience in nonprofit marketing and communications
• A portfolio of published writing and social content
• Exposure to small business coaching and the local entrepreneurial ecosystem
• Mentorship from the Executive Director and networking with business owners
• A professional reference

For consideration, any interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume. Cover letters must address candidate experience and qualifications being sought. All materials should be sent to Valeria Hernandez at HR@TheInstituteNC.org with email Subject Title: Intern – WBCNC

The National Institute of Minority Economic Development its Subsidiaries and affiliates provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sex, gender identity or expression, age, medical condition, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, military status, caregiver status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.