Business Advisor

About Locus

At Locus, we know communities thrive when they have equitable access to capital. We collaborate with stakeholders across the community development ecosystem to invest in communities with strong aspirations, while addressing challenges like a shortage of affordable housing, limited access to fresh food, a lack of quality jobs, and clean energy innovation. We believe a capital system that centers community input and impact is essential to ensure that everyone, no matter their background, location, or economic status, can live in healthy, thriving places.

Locus is the parent organization for a family of community development enterprises, which includes a nonprofit CDFI loan fund, a CDFI bank, a fund management practice, and a national guarantee program. With offices in Christiansburg and Richmond, Virginia, Locus offers innovative and flexible financing tools and strategic consulting services to individuals and organizations in underestimated and excluded communities, most of which are low-to-moderate income.

Alongside our many partners, Locus has generated over $2 billion dollars in total impact.

Locus is a nonprofit holding company regulated by the Federal Reserve. Locus Bank is an FDIC‑insured, certified bank and B Corp offering products tailored to socially conscious investors. Locus Bank is a majority‑owned subsidiary of Locus. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Learn more usimpact.org.

The CR‑SBDC is a team of business experts available to listen, advise, and assist entrepreneurs confidentially and free of charge. The CR‑SBDC is armed with a wealth of assets and a commitment to help small businesses achieve their business goals. We offer one‑on‑one small business advisory services as well as workshops and networking. Our goal is to become an inclusive resource for the small business community and level the playing field in the Richmond small business ecosystem.

The SBDC Business Advisor is responsible for advising prospective and existing Small Business Development Center (SBDC) clients, fostering economic growth by helping clients develop business strategies, access capital, improve business operations, and grow their businesses. The business advisor works closely with the SBDC team and stakeholders to achieve impactful results. Fluency in Spanish is required to effectively serve the Center’s diverse client base.

• Counsel prospective and existing small business owners/managers toward impact goals in both English and Spanish.
• Analyze situations, make recommendations, and educate clients regarding business plans, market feasibility, financial viability, operations management, and legal structures.
• Maintain an appropriate level and mix of clients as noted by annual deliverables and strategic plan objectives.
• Document client advising and training activities within the CRM in a timely, accurate, and comprehensive manner. Collect and transmit consolidated client data. Maintain adequate client files as per the Virginia SBDC Network Lead Office and SBA guidelines.
• Contribute to CR SBDC awareness within the target markets of the region.
• Complete special projects as assigned.
• Learns, maintains, and shares knowledge of sources of capital, financial and strategic planning, Virginia and local business regulations and requirements, business development tools and procedures.
• Designs and delivers small business group training programs, as required.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with diverse business communities, including minority, women- and veteran‑owned businesses, engaging translators as necessary.

Experience/Education/Certifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in financial or small business consulting, mentoring, or counseling.
• Proven ability to engage effectively with English- and Spanish‑speaking entrepreneurs, particularly around access to capital.
• Translation or bilingual communication experience (3+ years preferred).
• Demonstrated leadership skills and understanding of challenges faced by small business owners.
• Entrepreneurial experience as a business owner or operator preferred.