Business and Innovation Consultant

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Closing Date : 11 / 28 / 2025

Type of Position : Business Development

Workstudy Position : No

Job Type :

Fixed Duration of Project / Grant (Fixed Term)

Work Shift :

Day Shift (United States of America)

Sponsorship Available :

No

Institution Name :

University of Arkansas Fayetteville

Founded in 1871 the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nations top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education research and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills fostering a welcoming climate and nurturing creativity discovery and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nations strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health dental life and disability insurance tuition waivers for employees and their families 12 official holidays immediate leave accrual and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process please submit a request via the Disability Accommodations OEOC University of Arkansas () : Request an Accommodation. Applicants are required to submit a request for each position of which they have applied.

For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting please contact Human Resources at 479.575.5351.

Department :

Small Business Development Center

Departments Website :

Summary of Job Duties :

The Consultant is responsible for providing small business consulting services with an emphasis on business planning financial analysis and projections strategic planning capital funding and business transition planning. The Consultant will be responsible for providing one-on-one business counseling and advice to entrepreneurs researchers and established businesses to advance their innovative ideas products or services to the marketplace. Additionally this position will conduct education and outreach on the SBIR / STTR program and will assist clients in preparing SBIR / STTR proposals. The Consultant will conduct focused market research to assist business clients in decision making and to aid technology clients in preparing commercialization plans. This position will work closely with faculty and students at UAF interested in commercializing their research UA Tech Ventures OEI and the Walton College SEVI as well as other venture development groups in Northwest Arkansas to promote and build spinouts and startups in the innovation ecosystem. Additionally this position will assist in the training of both small business clients and technology clients. This might include scheduling programs recruiting community partners participating in the regional I-Corps training instructing small business seminars and marketing the carrying out the responsibilities of this position the position works directly with Center clients University of Arkansas faculty staff and students technology clients other ASBTDC staff private sector individuals local state and federal organizations and other interested parties that serve support or interact with the small business sector. This includes AEDC and assisting clients with Technology Transfer Assistance Grants (TTAG) SBIR matches and other state Science & Technology funding opportunities.

This person will be expected to increase their knowledge and relationships with federal SBIR / STTR agencies Science and Technology division of AEDC SBA SBIR / STTR Support Organization and statewide Entrepreneurial Support Organization network.

Regular non-disruptive and reliable attendance is an essential job duty as well as the ability to create and maintain collegial harmonious working relationships with others.

Qualifications :

Minimum Qualifications :

Bachelors degree from a regionally accredited university with significant course work in business finance and / or accounting

Applicable equivalencies may be considered on the above qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications :

Experience bringing new products and services to market (either corporate or entrepreneur / startup)

Experience and / or interest in technology and science-based startups

Grant-writing experience with federal agencies (research and / or small business innovation grants)

Project management experience with attention to detail (for example skilled in Google folders / Google ecosystem)

Demonstrated experience collaborating and working with others to build relationships

Experience working with small businesses or as a small business owner

Experience working with programs designed to assist small businesses at the federal state and local levels

Experience with public speaking and / or training

Experience working in a strategic planning setting

Knowledge Skills & Abilities :

Knowledge of small business finance and accounting

Knowledge and understanding of the commercial market landscape : customer segments competition value proposition

Knowledge of the customer discovery process and analysis of findings

Excellent writing public speaking and interpersonal skills

Proficiently skilled in Microsoft Excel and Word

Ability to build rapport among faculty students and the innovation ecosystem

Ability to develop relationships with National SBIR program managers and to stay current with all requirements

Ability to conduct outreach activities that increase our profile and increase collaboration and client referrals

Ability to communicate financial information to individuals and business owners with varying degrees of financial knowledge

Ability to conduct and utilize market research

Ability to conduct and deliver training in a classroom or an online setting

Ability to prepare loan proposals for financial institutions

Ability to conduct outreach to generate referrals of impact clients

Ability to conduct evening and weekend work as needed

Ability to travel in-state and out-of-state including overnight stays

Ability to meet the requirements to operate a vehicle on official state business

Additional Information :

This position is renewable annually based on continued need for the position availability of funding and satisfactory job performance.

Salary Information :

Commensurate with education and experience

Required Documents to Apply :

Cover Letter / Letter of Application List of three Professional References (name email business title) Resume

Optional Documents :

Proof of Veteran Status

Recruitment Contact Information :

Diane M. Walsh McNutt

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Special Instructions to Applicants :

Pre-employment Screening Requirements :

Criminal Background Check Motor Vehicle Reports Check Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions there may also be a financial (credit) background check a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check and / or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract develop and retain high quality faculty staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law including age race color national origin disability religion protected veteran status military service genetic information sex sexual orientation or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex may be sent to the Universitys Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity :

N / A

Frequent Physical Activity :

N / A

Occasional Physical Activity :

N / A

Benefits Eligible : Yes

Required Experience :

Contract

Key Skills

Business Consulting,Business Intelligence,Sales Experience,B2B Sales,Information Management,Network Administration,Business Analysis,Microsoft Dynamics Navision,Outside Sales,Strategic Planning,Database Administration,Public Speaking

Employment Type : Full-Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1