Entrepreneurship Specialist

BCL of Texas - Entrepreneurship Specialist

Reports to: Chief Programs Officer & Chief of Staff

Work Environment: BCL of Texas has headquarters in Austin, with additional offices in Dallas

and San Marcos, Texas.

• This Position will be located within DFW metroplex.
• A remote flexible schedule is available, if located further than 10 miles from one of our offices.

Compensation and Benefits: BCL offers a competitive annual salary of $68,000 plus benefits:

• 100% Paid Medical, Vision, Dental insurance
• Paid annual leave of 22 days
• Paid holiday leave of approximately 11 days
• Paid birthday off
• 401k Simple IRA Plan with 2% employer match
• Volunteer time off, professional development, remote flexible schedule availability
• Longevity Pay

Position Summary: As an entrepreneurship specialist, you will work with customers requesting business coaching and training to assess their start up and expansion needs. Provides guidance on business plans, marketing and business development strategies. The specialist will also create action plans for entrepreneurs and small business owners identified in cohort and other settings. The Entrepreneurship Specialist will evaluate business progress and review existing debt to assess cash flow and repayment ability for lending. This position works extensively with Dallas small business community and ecosystem.

We are looking for candidates who have:

• Passion for serving and the ability to work effectively in diverse communities across Texas.
• Motivated self-starter with a strong sense of responsibility, capable of working effectively in a semi-autonomous environment.
• Exceptional customer focus and relationship building skills to recruit and retain business incubator tenants and establish rapport with diverse clients and partners.
• High desire to work collaboratively with colleagues and external partners (lenders, investors, agencies).
• Demonstrated ability to actively listen and apply empathy to truly understand client goals and challenges, particularly with low-wealth borrowers.
• Instructional and presentation skills to effectively teach, coordinate, and aid in the development of entrepreneurship education workshops for both small and large audiences.
• Effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to distill complex financial and business concepts into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Keen attention to detail to ensure accuracy when compiling spreadsheets, tracking outcomes in customer databases, and preparing reports for funding entities.
• Excellent prioritization and organization skills and effective time management to manage multiple client relationships, teaching commitments, and reporting deadlines.
• Adaptability and flexibility to meet evolving program needs, work with clients in various stages (idea, startup, existing), and participate in special projects as needed.
• Mature judgment and demonstrated professionalism, diplomacy, and composure when dealing with sensitive customer financial data and diverse stakeholders.

Primary Tasks:

• Evaluate business plans and financial projections for individuals who are in the idea state, startup stage, or existing stage of their business.

• Determine client goals and needs and work with client to prepare a plan of action.

• Teach, coordinate and aid in the development of entrepreneurship education workshops, lunch and learns, series with new and existing customers.

• Assist with the recruitment and retention of business incubator tenants.

• Compile accurate spreadsheets (balance sheets, income statement, cash flows, trends, and ratio analysis) based on information obtained from customers.

• Work within BCLs entrepreneurship programs to provide technical assistance to persons starting a new business including evaluating business and marketing plans, financial pro formas, and projected cash flows.

• Tracks service delivery and outcomes in customer database, and reviews documentation of all entrepreneurship coaching sessions in cooperation with staff.

• Assist in compiling reports for various funding entities

• Attend events and other meetings to assist in the marketing of BCL programs.

• Gather credit data and financial background on prospective and current BCL customers.

• Analyzes, evaluates, and reports credit worthiness of current and prospective business customers with lending team or for customer action plan.

• Assist in marketing strategies of all lending and entrepreneurship programs.

• Document all time spent with customers in customer databases.

• Participate in projects as needed to accomplish overall BCL goals and strategies.

Requirements:

• BA in Business, Entrepreneurship, Management or related field.

• A minimum of 2 or more years experience in small business coaching and counseling small business owners and/or start-up entrepreneurs.

• A minimum of 2 years experience in banking, economic development, community development and/or small business ownership/management.

• A minimum of 2 years' experience in program/project management

• A minimum of 1-2 experience teaching/presenting to small and large audiences

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Self-starter who works well in teams and is also able to work independently without constant supervision or direction and who is able to handle a high level of responsibility.

• Considerable knowledge of sound business procedures including business financing, human resources, IT, inbound logistics, operations, and sales and marketing.

• Basic understanding of financing options for business start-ups and business expansions.

• Understanding of financial evaluation tools including ratios, cash flows, break-even points, etc.

• Understanding of financing options for business start-ups and business expansions.

• Mastery of spreadsheet software i.e., Excel.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, customers, lenders, investors, other agencies, and the general public.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Sensitivity to issues of low-wealth borrowers.

• Bilingual a plus

• Experience teaching/presenting a plus.

Certifications: This position does not require any licenses or certifications at time of hire.

Travel: Periodic travel to company events, education events, and the different BCL offices will be required.

Equity Statement:

At BCL of Texas, we value diversity, and we welcome candidates of color, LGBTQ+ people,

women, neurodivergent people, people with disabilities, and more. We view the requirements

as a guide and not an absolute list, and encourage candidates, especially diverse candidates, to

apply if you feel you meet the spirit of the job description, are interested in the mission, and

believe you will be able to learn the job and do the work.

BCL is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons regardless of race,

religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability,

medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender

expression, age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, ancestry, class or family status.

Required Application Materials:

• Resume and short cover letter or interest statement
• Your cover letter or interest statement should include information letting us know what about BCLs mission and work excites you
• Three professional references with contact information