• Provides direct counseling assistance to existing and start-up businesses.
• Designs, develops and promotes small business retention and attraction programs.
• Works with different departments, stakeholder and external organizations to facilitate the success of businesses.
• Collects, analyzes, and manages data related to small business and program performance.
• Prepares reports and presentations on program outcomes and impact.
• Maintains clear and effective communication with all stakeholders, including businesses, clients, and internal teams.
• Provides direction on navigating departments within the County and municipalities.
• Serves as the County’s liaison to small businesses to provide ongoing communication and support.
• Networks with community and regional economic development related organizations on small business issues.
• Prepares and monitors program budget.
• Assists in developing operational priorities, goals, and objectives.
• May confer with engineering firms, developers, contractors, and regulatory agencies pertaining to the review and approval of projects in Berkeley County.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Management, Marketing or directly related field.
• Five (5) years of experience as a small business owner/operator, economic developer, or within a business-focused non-governmental organization (NGO).
• An equivalent combination of experience, training, or advanced education may be accepted;

• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license for South Carolina with safe driving record;

• Knowledge: Knowledge of the principles, practices, and operating requirements of running a small business. ;
• Knowledge of personal computers, including Word and Excel, and highly technical computer applications.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with regulatory agencies, stakeholders, and consultants.
• Ability to lead teams of employees, consultants, and contractors.
• Ability to compose and prepare accurate reports, records and correspondence.
• Ability to manage inventory and property.
• Ability to make budget recommendations and manage departmental budget.
• Ability to determine grant eligibility and manage grant funds.
• Ability to coordinate and conduct public meetings as required.

This position requires the employee to reach, pull and push with hands and arms; stand; use hands to handle, feel, finger, grasp or operate objects, tools or controls; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; use mental acuity and repetitive motion; and walk, talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

The work is regularly performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities and needs. The normal work schedule is thirty-seven and one half (37.5) hours per week, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the ability to work after hours when necessary. Must be able to attend evening County Council, Planning Commission and other group meetings as needed. Scheduled hours/days, job location, duties and any other information contained herein is subject to change. May be required to work extra hours and to perform extra or different duties as project schedules demand or during emergency situations.