Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:

A 10,000 Small Businesses Business Advisor is one who is committed to working with their designated small business owners (scholars) at the Community College of Rhode Island in a facilitative and supportive manner to identity their business growth opportunities and needs and guide them to successful completion of their business growth plan. They use a model of community engagement to link scholars to Business Support Services and Capital Access opportunities. They work in a collaborative and supportive manner within the classroom and in advising sessions to help the scholars complete the program and program deliverables.  

The Business Advisor will bring appropriate practitioner-oriented expertise to the classroom, along with an appreciation for theoretical frameworks, will participate in business growth measurement and evaluation activities as needed (including validation), and is dedicated to the program outcomes of job creation and revenue generation.

The Business Advisor works a 25-hour week on an Academic Year Calendar, from approximately the beginning of September through the end of May. This position includes benefits.

The start date for this position is February 9, 2026.

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is an investment in the growth of small businesses. We help entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing access to education, capital and support services.

With a curriculum designed in partnership with Babson College, the nation’s top-ranked school for entrepreneurship, participating small business owners undergo an intensive 12-week program with like-minded small business owners and receive one-on-one business advice while learning valuable skills to help them grow their businesses.

The program is free to participants; it is 100% funded by the Goldman Sachs Foundation.

The Community College of Rhode Island is proud to serve as Rhode Island state education partner for the program, hosting two cohorts per year at our Knight Campus in Warwick, RI.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Advising and Curriculum Support:

• Meets with scholars on an individual basis at least 6 times for an hour over the course of the 12-week program, with the first meeting in-person and subsequent meetings held either in-person or virtually. The focus of these scholar meetings is to check in on the scholars’ Growth Plan progress, learn about challenges or obstacles to growth faced by the scholars and to uncover ways you and the program can help the scholar address those obstacles.

• Attends all 10KSB modules, clinics and program events at CCRI to support scholar learning

• Connects scholars  to external Business Support Services (local entrepreneurship ecosystem) as needed for specialty services

• Works with scholars to understand, collect and apply business metrics to support growth

• Assists within the classroom to coordinate group activities and support faculty

• Helps scholars apply course content to their businesses

Curriculum Participation:

• Advises for business growth using the program deliverables (Growth Plan)

• Collects and validates the scholars’ Baseline and Graduation Measurement and Evaluation

• Understands the content and delivery approach of the curriculum

• Understands and supports peer-to-peer learning

Cohort Preparation at CCRI:

• Reviews accepted scholar data (applications and baseline assessment tools) to understand scholar’s individualized needs as well as the needs of the cohort

• Plans advising schedule and approach

• Works with the 10KSB Program Manager to create scholar profiles for program use

• Works with advising team to assign scholar Growth Groups

• Assists in scholar recruiting as directed by the Outreach Director at CCRI

Community Building:

• Participates in quarterly calls for Business Advisors with national partners (exchange of updates, best practices, new challenges, etc.)

• Networks with business support services to enhance the local entrepreneurship ecosystem and to advance program recruitment

• Engages in scholar alumni program events as needed

Assessment:

• Participates in assessment of scholars through measurement and evaluation activities

• Participates in assessment of curriculum sessions through post session debriefings

• Participates in assessment of program through team debriefing and review process

• Demonstrates a commitment to the philosophy and mission of a comprehensive community college

• Work collaboratively with others in a diverse and inclusive environment

• Other duties as needed to support program success 

LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT:

Various office equipment which may include computers, typewriters, telephones, copy machines, calculators, fax machines, etc. 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business, finance, entrepreneurship, sales or related field

• A minimum of three years demonstrated successful business advising for a small business clientele

• Proven ability to work well in a team environment

• Proven ability to advise multiple small business owners simultaneously and keep them on track by holding them accountable to weekly benchmarks in a fast-paced program

• Strong spoken and written communication skills,

• Demonstrated ability and commitment to advise people from diverse industries, educational and personal backgrounds and with a variety of personality types

• Ability to work a flexible schedule

• High personal and professional ethical standards

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