Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator

Our Mission is to provide the Northwest Side and Belmont Cragin with the tools and

resources to preserve affordable housing, prevent displacement, and provide

business development assistance to local small businesses.

We develop and implement innovative community-based strategies that drive

economic opportunity, build resilient neighborhoods, and ensure an equitable

framework for the future wellbeing of Belmont Cragin and the Northwest Side of

Chicago. We advance our mission by providing technical assistance and access to

capital for small business owners, counseling for renters as well as community

development and cultural place keeping work. These initiatives build wealth,

prevent displacement, and empower community leaders.

Our Vision is a resilient Latine community where all individuals, families, and

business owners are thriving economically and culturally. We are working toward a

future where everyone has the resources and support to achieve their personal

potential and see their dreams become a reality.

Our Values:

• Resident-Led: We center the voices and leadership of Belmont Cragin

residents in every decision, ensuring community priorities drive neighborhood

change. From board to staff, residents and program participants-the

community is central to decision making and programming.

• Responsive: We adapt quickly to emerging needs and opportunities, meeting

our community where they are with timely, relevant support.

• Relational: We build deep, trust-based relationships across sectors, believing

collaboration is the foundation of sustainable impact. We believe strong

relationships are built on mutual exchange, where giving and receiving hold

equal value.

• Innovative: We pilot creative solutions that challenge traditional approaches

to community and economic development. We are inspired by thinking

outside of the box and we welcome new ideas and approaches.

• Data-Driven: We use metrics and lived experience together to guide strategy,

measure impact, and continuously improve outcomes. We value both

quantitative and qualitative measures to drive impact.

About the Position: The Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator fosters a strong

climate for local small business growth by providing in-depth, confidential business

counseling and training, and resource and referral services to Northwest Side and

Belmont Cragin small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. The

Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator is responsible for providing financial and

strategic advice to micro, small and mid-sized businesses to help their businesses

start, grow, and prosper. This role supports business creation, jobs creation, job

retention, access to capital and sales growth. The Entrepreneurship Program

Coordinator will engage with clients to holistically determine their current business

situation, stage, issues, challenges and objectives to determine needs and

subsequently prioritize the action to be taken. The Entrepreneurship Program

Coordinator will also focus on fostering a thriving and collaborative business

community. This includes supporting the coordination of programming that helps

entrepreneurs start and grow businesses through initiatives such as business

incubation, training, and educational opportunities.

Job Responsibilities:

Small Business Counseling, Training, and Reporting Requirements (45% of time):

• Identify and assess business client needs and support in resourcing those

needs

• Provide in-person or virtual counseling that includes feasibility, financial,

regulatory, and operational guidance and technical assistance on the various

aspects of starting and expanding a successful business, including but not

limited to:

o Analyzing the specific business and industry data in finance, marketing,

management and operations;

o Providing guidance in the development of business plans and financial

packages;

o Preparing pro forma cash flow and financial statements;

o Troubleshooting to identify problems and areas for improvement;

o Providing information on federal, state, and local regulations and

programs, and

o Providing guidance in loan packaging to pre-venture, start-up, or

advanced stage existing businesses.

• Enter client data and sessions into required CRM tools within a timely manner.
• Complete weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly reporting as needed for an

appropriate grant platform.

• Develop a resource network to be used in providing referrals to appropriate

resources.

• Plan and market no- to low-cost training on subjects relevant to small

business start-up and growth.

• Evaluate programs’ effectiveness and measure impact of services provided.
• Ensure timely and accurate counseling data input into client information

management system.

• Create Spanish bilingual business advising tools and resources as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of the department

Incubator Program Support (45% of time):

• Support Director with the coordination of the Crecer Business Incubator

program.

• Coordinate basic program operations such as but not limited to:

o Program income and expenses.

o Participant engagement.

o Program participant onboarding.

o Participant off boarding.

o Program marketing.

o Program monthly meetings.

o Reporting collection.

o Participant technical assistance.

• Provide direct operational support in the incubator storefront space.
• Other coordinating responsibilities as identified by supervisor.

Program and Small Business Advocate (5% of time):

• Promote and oversee business advising and training programs and advocate

for small business through presentations to communities, entities, and

business site visits.

• Develop working relationships with key stakeholders including, but not

limited to, the Small Business Administration (SBA), small business

development centers (NBDCs), banks, chambers of commerce, economic

development organizations, trade groups, educational institutions, legislators,

and hosts.

Miscellaneous (5% of time):

• Attend regional and state meetings and conferences as required.
• Develop and provide specific information, reports and/or special services as

needed.

• Collaborate with Business Resource Coordinator to create neighborhood?based events that promote small business.
• The successful hire will be required to 1) become a Certified Business Advisor

(CBA) and 2) become Growthwheel certified. The costs to participate in both

certificate programs will be covered by the organization.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s or master's degree in business management or similar field or

extensive experience working with small business owners is preferred.

• 1 to 2 years of working in a nonprofit is preferred.
• Bilingual language proficiency in English and Spanish, both written and oral
• Previous advising and business planning experience with small businesses

and entrepreneurs

• Experience with creating business financial reports, working knowledge of

loan applications, familiarity with bookkeeping best practices

• Working knowledge of the Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP)

Small Business Center department of the City of Chicago

• Excellent record keeping, note-taking, and documentation of client

appointments

• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and

PowerPoint.

• Comfortable performing in person, phone, and online advising (Zoom,

Microsoft Teams, Skype, etc).

• Is able to work non-traditional hours including evenings and weekends as

needed

• Experience using CRM tools like Salesforce

Work Schedule:

Typical work schedule is 9-5 Monday through Friday. Based on need, evening and

weekend work occasionally may be required.

Work environment:

• This position operates primarily in a professional office environment that is

fully accessible.

• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers,

phones, photocopiers, scanners, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to

talk or hear.

• The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger,

handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

• This position is an in-person office role that can work hybrid one day per

week as coordinated with their supervisor.

• Workplace is a smoke- and drug-free environment

Equal Opportunity Employer Disclaimer:

Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees are

made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion,

color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin,

citizenship status, military service and/or marital status, order of protection status,

handicap, disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or

local statutes

Healthcare

Dental

Paid time off

Life insurance (short and long term)

Professional development stipend

Hybrid work schedule

Proficient in both English and Spanish