Business Consultant

About the role

The Business Consultant is a core member of WomenVenture’s business consulting & technical assistance (TA) function. This role provides high-quality, one-on-one TA to startup and established small business owners, helping them become lender-ready, access capital, and remain financially strong after funding.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized consulting focused on financial health, capital readiness, and long-term business sustainability.
• Manage a portfolio of clients at varying stages of business and capital readiness.
• Conduct financial and operational assessments and develop clear, actionable improvement plans.
• Deliver TA virtually or in person based on client needs.
• Provide trauma-informed, trust-based TA with a strong emphasis on excellent customer service and communication.
• Refer clients to appropriate internal programs and external partners and coordinate warm handoffs as needed.
• Prepare clients for capital applications by strengthening financial statements, projections, business plans, and documentation.
• Translate lending and underwriting requirements into clear, client-friendly guidance.
• Identify readiness gaps and coach clients toward improvement.
• Work in direct partnership with the Lending Team to support smooth client handoffs and alignment.
• Maintain clear boundaries between client advocacy and lending decisions.
• Provide continued TA to funded clients to support loan compliance, cash flow management, debt servicing, and effective use of capital.
• Help clients understand financial signals and proactively address challenges.
• Support clients whose loans are delinquent to help get them back on track.
• Collaborate closely with Lending, Training, and other teams to align client support and improve outcomes.
• Provide feedback to improve client experience, consulting processes, and lending workflows.
• Attend and contribute to department, program, and all-staff meetings.
• Support WomenVenture initiatives and organizational priorities as needed.
• Support workshops, cohort courses, and training programs by contributing subject-matter expertise or facilitation support.
• Fulfill grant and contract requirements related to business consulting services.
• Track client engagement, outcomes, and consulting hours.
• Contribute to grant reporting, evaluation, and compliance.
• Maintain accurate client records and documentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of experience providing one-on-one technical assistance, business consulting, or financial coaching to small business owners.
• Background in business finance and small business lending/credit analysis (or underwriting-adjacent roles), including strong experience analyzing P&L statements, cash flow, and balance sheets.
• Ability to manage multiple clients, priorities, and timelines.
• Strong collaboration skills, especially working closely with lending staff.
• Ability to explain complex financial concepts clearly and accessibly, with proficiency in QuickBooks Online and related small business financial tools.
• High level of commitment to issues of gender equality and the social mission of the agency.
• Excellent customer service skills and cultural competencies and ability to collaborate across diverse perspectives, ideas, and people with diverse backgrounds.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with the ability to learn and adapt to proprietary industry software products.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• 4+ years of experience working in small business finance, lending, technical assistance, or a CDFI or other mission-driven lending or economic development organization.
• Direct business lending experience, such as serving as a loan officer, credit analyst, or in a lending-adjacent role.
• Experience combining business lending and technical assistance, such as providing one-on-one TA while working in a loan officer, portfolio management, or pre/post loan support role.
• Experience supporting underserved or historically excluded entrepreneurs.
• Experience supporting training programs, workshops, or cohort-based learning.
• Bilingual or multilingual.

Qualifications

• Must be in Twin Cities area.
• Must be able to travel occasionally outside the metro area.

Skills

• Business finance and small business lending/credit analysis.
• Financial coaching and technical assistance.
• Collaboration and teamwork.
• Customer service and cultural competency.
• Microsoft Office Suite and proprietary industry software products.

Benefits

• 18 paid holidays and 18 PTO days starting the first year.
• Medical, dental, vision, short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance.
• Paternity leave, health savings account, flexible spending account, pre-tax transportation, and an employee assistance program.
• Retirement plan with an employer match.

Pay

$70,000 - $75,000 per year

Schedule

70% Virtual Office, 30% In-person/on-site (Meetings with team and clients will be required based on business needs)