General Business Counselor - #002589

Location: Cullowhee

Posting Number EHRA
1096P Quick Link for Internal Postings (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Classification Title Counselor Working Title General Business Counselor - #002589 Department SBTDC Anticipated Hiring Range Based on qualifications/experience, internal equity, and departmental budget restrictions. About WCU

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:

* 2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.

* 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.

* 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.

* 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan.

Optional disability plans are also available.

Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year.

Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.

WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary

The primary work location is Asheville, NC. The role is exempt from the State of North Carolina Human Resources Act (EHRA).

This grant-funded appointment is contingent upon continued funding availability.

The General Business Counselor provides a broad range of business advising and in-depth assistance to clients throughout an assigned multi-county service area. As a member of the SBTDC at WCU, the counselor serves a 14-county region in Western North Carolina. The service center maintains two offices: one in the WCU College of Business in Cullowhee and one in downtown Asheville.

Regular travel across the region is expected, along with in-state and occasional out-of-state travel for professional development events.

The General Business Counselor is responsible for delivering business counseling, management training, research, and technical assistance to pre-venture clients, small and mid-sized business owners, and entrepreneurs developing new products or technologies, starting new ventures, or growing existing businesses.

Administrative responsibilities include managing confidential client records, entering client information into the appropriate database in a timely manner, preparing quarterly activity reports, and developing resources and relationships that support the mission of the SBTDC. The successful candidate must be able to work effectively within both academic and business communities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Required:

* Broad general knowledge of business principles and practices.

* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

* Ability to manage multiple assignments, organize work, and establish priorities with minimal supervision.

* Ability to provide value-based counseling on a wide range of business topics, including marketing, strategy development, and product costing.

* Ability to facilitate group planning meetings.

* Proficiency with computer applications, including word processing and spreadsheet design.

* Ability to create formulas and use built-in Excel functions to perform calculations and solve problems.

Minimum Qualifications

* Interested candidates must already be legally authorized to work in the United States and will not require any immigration sponsorship or support.

* Bachelor's degree and one year of experience related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Preferred Qualifications

Management prefers…