The Position

Iona University's Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation was selected by Syracuse University's Institute for Veteran & Military Families (IVMF) to support their SBA funded Community Navigator Pilot Program. Iona University serves as one the spokes to work with the IVMF hub to provide free services to the veteran entrepreneurship community in New York State and the National Capital Region.

The Iona University spoke is seeking a highly motivated, detail oriented, and engaging individual to join our team as a Business Advisor to provide one-on-one technical assistance to veterans and veteran-owned small businesses on topics such as business planning, management, operations, marketing/sales, and financing. In addition, the business advisor will play a key role in connecting spoke clients to free services provided by the Community Navigator Pilot network in the areas of loan assistance, financial literacy, credit counseling, CDFI services, corporate and federal contracting, legal services, insurance and risk management, accounting/taxation.

The Business Advisor may also provide training workshops or webinars to teach veteran entrepreneurs on business fundamentals or other specialized topics. The Business Advisors must keep accurate records of counseling activities and work with program staff to coordinate webinars and trainings.

Reporting to the director of the Hynes institute, the Business Advisor will deliver Community Navigator Pilot Program services at Iona University's GaelVentures community incubator space.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides one-on-one technical assistance (in-person and remotely) to veterans and veteran-owned small businesses (clients) on topics such as business planning, management, operations, marketing/sales, and financing.
• Assist clients with loan, grant, and relief assistance applications.
• Exercise good judgment in safeguarding confidential or sensitive information and adhere to high standards of confidentiality and honesty.
• Provide training workshops or webinars to teach veteran entrepreneurs on business fundamentals or other specialized topics.
• Act as liaison between individual clients and Community Navigator Pilot program spokes, partners, regional service providers, and community groups.
• Document counseling sessions with reports submitted in a timely manner. Maintain pertinent reporting information required by the Community Navigator Pilot program.
• Participate in completion of quarterly and annual reporting required by the Community Navigator Pilot program.
• Participate in the development, promotion, coordination, and delivery of Community Navigator Pilot training programs and workshops.
• Other duties as assigned by appropriate supervisory personnel.

Job Requirements

• BA/BS in Business Administration, a related discipline, or equivalent experience is preferred.
• Business ownership experience is highly preferred.
• Experience working with veterans preferred.
• Must be willing to reach out to other Community Navigator Pilot program spokes, partners and community groups to build awareness and support of mission and goals of the Community Navigator Pilot program.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with veterans and military family entrepreneurs, as well as with a wide range of constituencies in our service areas.
• Manage case files, forms and other documents as stipulated by the SBA Community Navigator Pilot program.
• Proficiency in the use of business software applications e.g. MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Applicants should submit a resume with a formal letter of interest.

Please note this description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

About Iona University/EEO language

Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of over 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science, and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Ionas LaPenta School of Business is accredited by AACSB International, a prestigious recognition awarded to just five percent of business schools worldwide. The Princeton Review recognized Ionas on-campus MBA program as a Best Business School for 2023. Iona University also recently launched a new, fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona University and NewYork-Presbyterian announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, to be principally located on the Universitys new campus in Bronxville, N.Y. Supported by a $20 million gift from NewYork-Presbyterian, the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences offers a new vision for collaborative health care education, modern workforce development, and community care. On July 1, 2022, Iona officially changed its status from College to University, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.

Iona University values and celebrates diversity and is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all of our employees including staff & administrative employees, faculty and student workers. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, partnership status, disability, military or veteran status, alienage, citizenship, status as a victim of domestic violence/stalking/sex offenses, unemployment status, or other legally prohibited basis under federal and state law, or local ordinance. As an equal opportunity employer, Iona University encourages applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live, in particular historically underrepresented groups.