Senior Business Advisor

Department:
Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Locations:
Syracuse, NY

Posted:
Feb 5, 2026

Closes:
Open Until Filled

Type:
Full Time - 12 Months

Position

ID: 197056

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Onondaga Community College, located in Syracuse, NY, is a college of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and one of 30 locally sponsored community colleges throughout New York State. Onondaga County is our sponsor. We offer two-year degree programs that serve as transfer opportunities to baccalaureate degree programs at four-year campuses or for direct entry to the workforce. We also offer certificate programs that can generally be completed in one year.

Onondaga is a diverse educational learning community. We are committed to creating and maintaining an atmosphere where individuality is not only recognized - but encouraged - to contribute to the fabric of the campus environment. We continue to serve the educational and economic development needs of the region and proudly boast more than 40,000 alumni.

The Senior Advisor provides a comprehensive range of small business-based assistance including one-to-one client counseling in the area of business plan development; analyzes, prepares and structures financial statements, such as cash flow projections, income statements and sources and uses statements; assists with developing a funding plan; provides assistance in automated and manual record keeping systems and assists clients with market related issues such as advertising, promotional functions, market surveys, and other related areas

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide quality one-to-one advisement and counseling to a varied and complex range of clientele in the areas of business plan development, financial projections and business strategies.
• Conduct and develop Small Business Development Center (SBDC) training sessions and workshops on a regular basis and provide follow-up services as necessary to attendees.
• Act as a clearinghouse for information for clients and other interested individuals and refers, when necessary, those individuals to outside entities, which can provide additional support services.
• Participates in business related training events and programs as part of ongoing professional development.
• Initiates and maintains contact with business and economic development community stakeholders for client referral purposes.
• Enters client data into the management database in a timely manner.
• Provides customized funding plans for applicable clients.
• Responsible for achieving economic impact goals for the Regional Center.
• Understand specific small business needs within each county and work with Director to satisfy those needs.
• Provide direct assistance to all staff in meeting client and program objectives.

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor s degree in the area of business, management, finance, economics or related fieldfrom a regionally accredited college, university or foreign equivalency.
• Minimum three years  small business experience or in an entrepreneurial environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Small business ownership or consultation experience.
• Experience with small business advisement
• Knowledge of commercial lending
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Knowledge of accounting principles
• Knowledge of marketing principles
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred. English and other languages will be considered.

KNOWLEDGE,

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to effectively represent the college and SBDC to community organizations
• Ability to exercise good judgement within established guidelines
• Ability to collaborate effectively within a group setting
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to relate well with diverse constituencies
• Effective organizational and time management skills
• Ability to effectively manage client scheduling
• Ability to work independently without direct supervision
• Possess an understanding of the importance of confidentiality
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint

Additional Information:

• Salary range is: $44,000 - $55,000, commensurate with credentials and relevant experience.
• Onondaga Community College offers agenerous and competitive benefitspackageincluding:
  • New York State Local Retirement System(pension) or an Optional Retirement Plan(401a).
  • Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance plans(qualifying domestic partner included).
• Onondaga Community College participates in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program for eligible borrowers.

Position will be serving clients predominately in Cayuga, Seneca and Cortland counties.

Application Instructions

• To be considered, please submit aresume and cover letterat time of application.
• Thethree (3) referenceslisted on the application must be professional references, two of which must be current or former supervisors. Finalists will be contacted prior to references being checked.
• Offers are contingent upon the completion of aback ground check, and official transcriptsare required upon hire.

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