Job Description

Associate Business Consultant

Help Central PA entrepreneurs turn ideas into real businesses! As an Associate Business Consultant, you'll coach startups, co-pilot with senior consultants, and turn common business questions into resources that help hundreds of entrepreneurs. At the Bucknell University Small Business Development Center (SBDC), we value excellence and a drive to create positive change: professional presence, follow-through, and collaborative problem-solving matter. Our work is grounded in continuous improvement, a bias for action, and genuine empathy for the small business clients we serve. If you love learning fast, doing impactful work, and showing up for your community, you'll thrive with the Bucknell SBDC!

The Associate Business Consultant at the Bucknell Small Business Development Center (SBDC) supports entrepreneurs and small business owners as they start, grow, and strengthen their ventures. This role is well-suited for an early-career professional or career-pivoter with leadership experience, strong digital fluency, and a passion for small business. SBDC staff serve as advocates for the PASBDC network and Bucknell, and champions of entrepreneurship in the community via stakeholder engagement and proactive strategic outreach. SBDC staff are changemakers and do-ers who bring entrepreneurial spirit, initiative, and the ability to turn ideas into action. Success in this role means contributing fresh energy and practical solutions as part of a collaborative, high-performing team.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, annually renewable position based on continued external funding and reports to the Assistant Director. The expected start date for this position will be Monday, January 5, 2026. This position will be subject to annual renewal, contingent upon funding for the SBDC.

Bucknell's SBDC has served entrepreneurs and small businesses for over 47 years across Juniata, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, and Union counties. The Bucknell SBDC is one of 15 centers in Pennsylvania and is an accredited affiliate of the national network of America's Small Business Development Centers, with over 900 locations throughout the country. The SBDC values diversity in its workforce, and staff contribute to outreach that engages diverse students and an increasingly diverse client base.

What You Will Do

Client Support & Consulting

• Provide one-on-one and small-group consulting on startup fundamentals, business planning, digital tools, marketing, and basic operations.
• Deliver services in-person to clients across the SBDC's six-county region. This position is based at the SBDC's offices in downtown Lewisburg, but will also work up to two days per week at outreach locations such as StartUp Danville and StartUp Milton.
• Co-consult with senior staff on advanced or specialized engagements.

Student Project Coordination

• Mentor and supervise student consultants in-person at SBDC workplaces. Coordinate project scopes, timelines, and handoffs to ensure on-time, high-quality outcomes. Review/edit student deliverables for quality and clarity prior to client delivery.

Innovation & Special Initiatives

• Lead and support process and technology improvements, especially AI-enabled workflows, that streamline consulting, content creation, and client services.
• Collaborate to pilot new innovations and offerings, and help scale what works.

Programs & Events

• Assist with workshops and events (set-up, hosting, follow-ups, and documentation), including in-person at locations throughout the SBDC's region, such as StartUp Danville and StartUp Milton.
• Maintain accurate records, metrics, and summaries for events and consulting.

Marketing & Communications

• Contribute to SBDC marketing efforts (social, newsletters, success stories, etc).
• Build and maintain reusable templates, guides, and client-facing resources

The job description's listed responsibilities and tasks are not exhaustive; additional non-essential tasks and responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

What You Will Bring (Required)

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, accounting, finance, or related subject - or equivalent professional/entrepreneurial experience.
• Experience mentoring peers, students, or team members.
• Strong digital/tech skills with the ability to learn new software quickly.
• Clear, confident written and verbal communication; strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Comfort facilitating in-person and online sessions with diverse audiences.
• Valid U.S. driver's license; ability to travel regionally and occasionally work evenings/weekends.

What You Will Bring (Preferred)

• Demonstrated experience starting, running, or significantly contributing to a small business or entrepreneurial venture.
• Two years of professional, full-time experience in business or in a consulting, marketing, accounting, finance, or related field.
• Knowledge of the businesses and industries in the Bucknell SBDC service region.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships within our region's communities.
• Familiarity with small-business digital marketing (social media, Google Business Profile, websites).
• Exposure to financial basics (budgeting, simple projections, bookkeeping tools).
• Experience with event coordination, training, or public presentations.
• Interest in practical AI applications for small business support.

Travel Requirements

• Typically two days per week specifically to our Danville & Milton locations, plus periodic travel to client and partner locations in our 6 county service region.

Work Type

On-site; synchronous with SBDC team and student employees.

Job Exempt

Yes

Salary Range

54,080.00-67,600.00

The offer rate will be based on a review of the candidate's credentials compared to the qualifications of the position, internal equity, and our overall compensation philosophy. This role is not budgeted for visa sponsorship at this time, all candidates must be authorized to work in the US at the time of submission of the application.

Benefits

Eligible full- and part-time employees are compensated beyond base salary through our total rewards package that includes (but is not limited to):

• Flexible scheduling options determined by role;
• Medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance options
• An outstanding 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan (no contribution requirement for non-exempt positions)
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time, a community service day, and 19 paid holidays (including two full weeks off for Winter Break!)
• Full-time and part-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for themselves. Additionally, full-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for their spouse/spousal equivalent and are eligible for various tuition programs for their children. Credit for full-time benefits eligible employment at other institutions of higher education will be applied to waiting periods.
• A comprehensive employee wellness program including program incentives
• A myriad of other benefits, including parental leave, an employee assistance program, fitness center membership, and the power of your Bucknell ID card

To learn more about Bucknell's benefits, click here! (*Eligibility criteria and waiting periods may apply.)

Inclusive Excellence

Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community. We endeavor to enhance our capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings. We encourage all individuals to apply and do not discriminate in admissions, employment, educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.

E-Verify

Bucknell University participates with the United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) E-Verify program. We will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

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