SBTDC Business Counselor

Posting Details

Position Information

Position Number 997935 Functional Title SBTDC Business Counselor Position Type Research Position Eclass EP - EHRA 12 mo leave earning University Information

Located in North Carolina's third largest city, UNC Greensboro is among the most diverse, learner-centered public research universities in the state, with 18,000 students in eight colleges and schools pursuing more than 150 areas of undergraduate and over 200 areas of graduate study. UNCG continues to be recognized nationally for academic excellence, access, and affordability. UNCG is ranked No. 1 most affordable institution in North Carolina for net cost by the N.Y. Times and No. 1 in North Carolina for social mobility by The Wall Street Journal - helping first-generation and lower-income students find paths to prosperity. Designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, UNCG is a community-engaged research institution with a portfolio of more than $67M in research and creative activity. The University's 2,600 staff help create an annual economic impact for the Piedmont Triad region in excess of $1B.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit

Innovate UNCG serves as the University of North Carolina at Greensboro's gateway for innovation, entrepreneurship, commercialization, and economic development. Located within the Division of Research and Engagement, Innovate UNCG advances the translation of research, scholarship, and creative activity into societal and economic impact. Through strategic partnerships with faculty, students, industry, investors, government agencies, and community organizations, Innovate UNCG fosters an environment that supports innovation-driven entrepreneurship, startup formation, technology commercialization, industry engagement, and workforce development. The office serves as a catalyst for connecting university expertise and discoveries with external partners and opportunities that strengthen regional competitiveness and economic growth.

Innovate UNCG is committed to expanding the university's role as a driver of innovation and economic prosperity by supporting pathways that move ideas from concept to impact while creating opportunities for students, faculty, researchers, and community stakeholders to engage in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Position Summary

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) invites applications for a Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) Business Counselor. This position is funded through the North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center and is housed within Innovate UNCG, the university's hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, commercialization, and economic development.

The SBTDC Business Counselor serves as a strategic resource for faculty innovators, research scholars, student entrepreneurs, university-affiliated startups, and small business clients seeking to launch, grow, or commercialize new ventures. The position provides business counseling, technical assistance, market research support, and entrepreneurial education to help clients advance innovative ideas, research-based technologies, and business opportunities.

Working closely with the Director of Innovate UNCG, university faculty, students, regional partners, and the statewide SBTDC network, the Business Counselor will strengthen UNCG's innovation ecosystem by supporting entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, startup development, and economic growth throughout the region. The position serves as an important bridge between the university's research enterprise, entrepreneurial community, and North Carolina's broader economic development ecosystem.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree required or bachelor's degree in business administration, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Finance, Management, Marketing, Public Administration, Technology Management, or a related field, plus 3 or more years relevant experience.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders and work collaboratively across organizations.
• Ability to analyze business opportunities and challenges and provide practical recommendations.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.

Additional Required Certifications, Licensures, and Certificates Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA), Entrepreneurship, Economic Development, Public Administration, or a related field.
• At least two years of professional experience in entrepreneurship, business development, economic development, consulting, banking, technology commercialization, innovation support, startup development, or a related field.
• Experience owning, operating, or supporting a small business or startup venture.
• Experience working in a university, innovation, research, entrepreneurial, or economic development environment.
• Knowledge of technology commercialization, intellectual property, business planning, customer discovery, and startup development processes.
• Experience delivering workshops, training programs, or business counseling services.
• Familiarity with federal and state entrepreneurial support programs, including SBIR/STTR opportunities.

Special Instructions to Applicants Recruitment Range Commensurate with Experience Org #-Department LaunchUNCG - 11506 Job Open Date 08/31/2026 For Best Consideration Date Job Close Date 09/15/2026 Open Until Filled No FTE 1.000 Type of Appointment Permanent If time-limited, please specify end date for appointment. Number of Months per Year 12 FLSA Exempt

Key Responsibilities

____

Percentage Of Time 30 Key Responsibility

Business Counseling and Venture Development

Essential Tasks

• Provide confidential one-on-one counseling and technical assistance to faculty innovators, research scholars, student entrepreneurs, university-affiliated startups, and small business clients.
• Assist and advise clients with business planning, customer discovery, market assessment, commercialization strategies, financial planning, and business model development.
• Support faculty and researchers in evaluating pathways for translating research discoveries into commercial opportunities.
• Lead entrepreneurs to identify opportunities for business growth, technology commercialization, and market expansion.
• Connect clients with appropriate university, regional, state, and federal resources that support innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Maintain client records and documentation in accordance with SBTDC policies and reporting requirements.

Percentage Of Time 25 Key Responsibility

Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Commercialization Support

Essential Tasks

• Collaborate with Innovate UNCG to strengthen the university's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
• Support faculty, staff, students, and research teams pursuing startup formation, commercialization, licensing, or industry engagement opportunities.
• Participate in entrepreneurial programming, innovation initiatives, and commercialization activities that advance UNCG's research and economic impact goals.
• Connect university innovators with external mentors, service providers, funding resources, and economic development partners.
• Support activities that promote innovation, technology-based entrepreneurship, and startup development across the university.

Percentage Of Time 25 Key Responsibility

Training, Education, and Outreach

Essential Tasks

• Develop and deliver workshops, seminars, and educational programming focused on entrepreneurship, small business development, commercialization, innovation, and business growth.
• Conduct outreach to faculty, students, researchers, alumni, and community partners to increase awareness of SBTDC and Innovate UNCG services.
• Represent UNCG, Innovate UNCG, and the SBTDC at university events, community programs, conferences, and regional economic development meetings.
• Build relationships with campus partners, industry leaders, investors, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and entrepreneurial support organizations.
• Support initiatives that enhance entrepreneurial thinking, innovation capacity, and workforce development.

Percentage Of Time 20 Key Responsibility

Program Administration and Reporting

Essential Tasks

• Participate in collecting and reporting program outcomes and impact metrics, including startup formation, business growth, capital formation, commercialization outcomes, and job creation.
• Support reporting requirements associated with SBTDC funding and university initiatives.
• Participate in statewide SBTDC meetings, training programs, and professional development opportunities.
• Collaborate with Innovate UNCG leadership and campus stakeholders to advance the university's innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development goals.
• Maintain compliance with university, UNC System, and SBTDC policies and procedures.

ADA Checklist

ADA Checklist

R for Rare (0-30%), O for Occasional (30-60%), F for Frequent (60-90%), C for Constant (90-100%).

Physical Effort Hand Movement-Repetitive Motions, Hearing, Talking, Standing, Lifting-30-60 lbs. Work Environment

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• List of References

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Please indicate how you learned of the vacant position for which you are applying:

• UNCGjobsearch Website

• Greensboro News & Record

• Carolina Peacemaker

• Other Newspaper

• The Chronicle of Higher Education

• Inside Higher Ed

• Other Professional Journal

• NCWorks.gov

• UNC System Job Board

• Other Online Job Board

• Personal Networking

• Other

• • If you selected "Other", please provide the name of the resource here.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Are you eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship?

• Yes

• No

• • Will you now or in the future require visa sponsorship for employment at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro?

• Yes

• No