Job Post: NRGRDA/WV Hive Regional Creative Business Advisor

Title: NRGRDA/WV Hive Regional Creative Business Advisor

Type of Employment: Full-time EEO

Supervisor: WV Hive Senior Business Advisor

Note: This position is grant funded. Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of ongoing grant funding. The NRGRDA/WV Hive is seeking candidates available to support the northern half of West Virginia with arts-based entrepreneurship support.

Purpose:

The WV Hive is the entrepreneurship program of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority. The WV Hive Regional Creative Business Advisor will provide in-depth business advising to entrepreneurs and small businesses in varying stages of development, ideation, incubation, and acceleration. The Regional Creative Business Advisor will focus on supporting arts-based businesses and creative entrepreneurship. The position will work with the WV Hive Senior Business Advisor and Executive Director, along with the WV Hive, NRGRDA and the Tamarack Foundation for the Arts WV Creative Network team members to perform high-level professional work related to the support of NRGRDA & WV Creative Network Ecosystem Project’s entrepreneurship initiatives. This position is developed in partnership with Tamarack Foundation for the Arts to support the WV Creative Network Ecosystem Project. The aim of the WV Creative Network Ecosystem Project is to increase the number of arts businesses in WV and to better equip artists with the tools, resources, and support necessary to advance their careers and sustain their businesses in the state. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication and coordination skills, knowledge of artisan/arts-based entrepreneurship, familiarity with the creative economy of WV, be tech savvy, and will confidently work with arts entrepreneurs and small business owners, vendors, high-level executives, funders, partners, and community members.

The Regional Creative Business Advisor will provide in‐depth business consultations to arts entrepreneurs, recently formed companies, and established small arts-based businesses seeking to expand, diversify, or attract new capital investment throughout the state of West Virginia. This pilot program aims to develop support infrastructure for arts entrepreneurs by educating business advisors on how to better serve artists. The Regional Creative Business Advisor will support artists in multiple aspects of their work including business model development and feedback, marketing best practices, market research, developing product lines and providing connection to relevant resources and training to support artists in the general development of their business and entrepreneurial knowledge.

Primary responsibilities include working closely with the WV Hive, NRGRDA and Tamarack Foundation for the Arts staff to deliver business advising, training opportunities, and technical assistance to meet measurable goals and milestones related to the West Virginia Creative Network Ecosystem Project and other funding initiatives. The Regional Creative Business Advisor will attend meetings, collect resources, and represent the WV Hive at entrepreneurial events. The Regional Creative Business Advisor will provide, as a standard part of their services, information on socially responsible practices, and in‐depth assistance to those entities aiming to prioritize them or structure their business around such priorities. In addition, this position will assist with high-level administrative and coordination tasks for projects, initiatives, and grant activities.

Qualifications and Requirements:

1. Bachelor’s or higher in business administration, finance, management, or related field.
2. Minimum of two years of work experience as a business advisor or in a similar role.
3. Knowledge and experience in business development and Artisan/Arts based entrepreneurship and the WV Creative Economy.
4. An understanding and familiarity with the arts industry is preferred.
5. Knowledge of responsible business practices and market development, financial management and tracking, including for businesses with non-traditional ways of tracking success.
6. Must be highly motivated, trustworthy, hard‐working, positive, a team‐player and dedicated to the mission of the NRGRDA, including the WV Hive Network.
7. Must possess a valid driver’s license and vehicle to use in performance of job. Position requires travel throughout the entire state of WV.
8. Must be able to pass a background check and drug test.
9. Proficient in Microsoft Office
10. Ability to self‐direct and multi‐task.
11. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
12. Excellent organizational skills.
13. Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people.
14. Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Desired Skills:

1. Previous or current business ownership experience preferred.
2. For industry-specific coaches (e.g., the Creative Business Advisor), particular familiarity and expertise in the underlying industry, including knowledge of tailored resources, industry norms, and specific metrics of success is appreciated.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Provide excellent business advising and technical assistance support to entrepreneurs and business owners.
2. Supply information and resources to Hive clients that promote sound financial management.
3. Extend client knowledge through advising and support.
4. Offer resources to prepare small businesses to respond to market demands.
5. Assist clients with business modeling and recognizing overall potential.
6. Work with resources and networks in the territory to support small business clients.
7. Assess the current level of competency and assistance needed for Hive clients.
8. Target and cold call potential businesses needing Hive support.
9. Pull reports from Secretary of State and develop relationships with new and existing businesses in territory.
10. Connect to resources, including industry-specific resources, that will support growth and development.
11. Connect to industry-specific funding opportunities, including grants, crowdfunding, RFPs, and other contributed sources of income.
12. Provide business advising team with industry guidance and support for areas of expertise.
13. Provide business advising to collegiate students seeking business development support.
14. Communicate daily with the Hive executive director on client interactions to keep them abreast of activity within the service area.
15. Maintain Regular communication with Tamarack Foundation for the Arts WV Creative Network Ecosystem Project Staff & other grant partners on collaborative projects.15. Collect and interpret key business indicators and report via CRM tool (HubSpot).
16. Establish friendly, yet professional relationships and outreach with clients, institutions, and organizations essential to client support.
17. Participate as needed in public speaking engagements and tabling events regarding Hive offerings and assistance.
18. Work with business advisors, Hive executive director, and other staff on a project basis.
19. Provide updates weekly and written reports monthly to executive director.
20. Facilitate workshops and training(s) as needed.
21. Foster professional interactions, networking, and professional growth.
22. Support the development of grant applications, as needed.
23. Perform other miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned and on a project basis, as required.

Work Environment:

Works indoors at WV Hive offices, or in an approved remote location or hybrid work arrangement. Will be expected to travel to client locations across the entire state, WV Hive locations, training, and events.

Physical Demands:

Must be able to complete all physical demands of the job, which may include, but not be limited to sitting or standing for extended periods, operating a motor vehicle, performing routine tasks, carrying supplies, and reading normal typewritten print. Must have corrected vision and hearing within normal range and have manual dexterity within normal range of motion of all extremities. The Regional Creative Business Advisor must be able to provide written and verbal communication. He/she must be able to work alone without direct supervision. Employee must have the ability to deal with abrupt schedule changes and to maintain professionalism in coping with the stress of working with clients and businesses.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $42,000.00 – $47,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Application Question(s):

• This position will primarily be responsible to serve the northern half of the State. Will this requirement be acceptable to you?

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Beckley, WV 25801