Position: FASTER WV Trail Towns Business Coach

Organization: Advantage Valley FASTER WV Program

Location: Covering a 3-county region throughout the Elk River Trail System (Braxton, Clay, and portions of Kanawha County)

Job Type: Full-Time

The Advantage Valley FASTER WV Entrepreneurship Program was designed to identify, encourage, and support small business startups through personalized coaching, workshops, business courses, technical assistance, and access to capital through a revolving loan fund. Our mission is to drive economic growth and resilience within a ten-county region, including Boone, Braxton, Cabell, Clay, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Putnam, Mason and Wayne Counties, by connecting businesses to essential advisory and support services, empowering them to succeed in today’s competitive market. With the expansion of the FASTER WV program, we are seeking a dedicated FASTER WV Trail Towns Business Coach to join our team and help foster the growth of tourism and recreation-related businesses along the Elk River Trail System.

Summary: The Business Coach will play a vital role in meeting with and supporting early-stage entrepreneurs and small businesses in the designated region. They will provide guidance, mentorship, and resources to help clients succeed in their business endeavors.

Key Responsibilities:

As the FASTER WV Business Coach, you will play a pivotal role in expanding our advisory and technical assistance services. Your responsibilities will include but not limited to:

Building and nurturing productive relationships with clients, focusing on collaborative solutions.
Assisting clients develop their business plans and business models to include creating proforma’s and financial analysis.
Identifying and managing client requests for technical assistance (TA) and overseeing project scoping and implementation.
Assist clients who are applying for business lending through the FASTER WV revolving loan fund.
Provide guidance on business strategies and operations optimization.
Identifying and collaborating with other business support service providers.
Collecting and organizing client and impact data, developing additional tools as needed
Promoting the FASTER WV business advising services through outreach activities and events.
Conducting workshops and training sessions on business-related topics.
Developing strong referral partnerships with other business support providers.
Supporting grant reporting and impact reporting to funders and stakeholders.
Regular travel within the Elk River Trail System in West Virginia.

Qualifications:

To be successful in this role, you will need:

A physical presence in West Virginia, preferably near the Elk River Trail System that runs through Braxton, Clay, and Kanawha Counties.
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in business administration, finance, or related field preferred.
Preferred experience as a business owner, business coaching, banking and finance, consulting, or a related field.
Strong financial acumen and experience with business plans and loan applications.
Project management experience and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Strong communication skills for effective engagement with diverse stakeholders.
A commitment to organizational mission, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Willingness to travel within the 3-county region.
A valid driver’s license.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, & Experience:

Strong collaboration and team-oriented skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Experience with data management and impact reporting.
Willingness to learn new skills and technologies.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel.
Proficiency with a CRM system, preferably Salesforce.

Work Environment:

Combination of remote and in-office work, adhering to CDC safety protocols.
In-market travel up to 80%, as safety permits.

Compensation & Benefits:

We offer a competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a monthly stipend for health care, plus paid holidays, vacation, and personal/sick leave.

At Advantage Valley FASTER WV Program, we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we actively support equal access for all individuals. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

This job description outlines the primary duties and responsibilities of the role but may be subject to change or additional assignments as needed.

Advantage Valley, Inc.

1045 Bridge Road

Charleston, WV 25314

Learn more about Advantage Valley! Click for more information about our team, or our work in entrepreneurship, or about the Elk River Trail Towns!

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FASTER WV Trail Towns Business Coach