Micro to Small Business Manager
The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC)
Job Description
About JPNDC
Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) is a community development corporation anchored in 48 years of community organizing and resident leadership. We seek to transform the lives and amplify the voices of MA residents who have been excluded from prosperity by racial and economic inequities. We build affordable housing that allows people to thrive, provide economic prosperity services that help people build on their strengths, and organize people to pursue the changes they desire. Based in Jamaica Plain, we dare to envision an equitable and inclusive MA in which all people have access to secure affordable homes, economic prosperity for their families, strong small businesses, high-quality childcare, healthy and environmentally responsible neighborhoods, political power, and opportunities to fulfill their potential.
JPNDC's Micro to Small Business (MSB) program is critical to fulfilling this mission. The MSB Manager provides on-the-ground training and coaching to existing business owners such that they can reimagine and position their businesses as mainstays that both support and benefit from a strong MA economy. The MSB Manager also leads our organization in local, state and national dialogs toward identifying funding opportunities to grow JPNDC's MSB services.
There are two primary areas of technical assistance (TA): 1) Solid foundations, which involves business entity filing, business plan development (vision statement, staffing, procurement, accounting, marketing/networking, client services, and stabilization); and 2) Business growth, which involves tailoring the business to the market, strategic growth planning, access to capital and site acquisition/leasing. The MSB sponsors networking events and training, and fosters linkages to mentor and lender relationships for business owners to build their brand and realize revenue growth. The MSB helps business owners thrive so they can offer solid employment opportunities that stabilize residents and families.
What We Offer:
JPNDC offers an extensive benefits package! Up to 90% of individual insurance premiums are paid for health, vision, and dental insurance. We offer 2 weeks of vacation plus one paid week at the end of the year to start. There are 14 paid holidays recognized per year, employer-paid life & disability insurance, a vested 403b retirement plan, and much more! Employees have options to explore professional development and seek college credits or comparable training certifications using our robust tuition assistance benefit.
The Role: This key leadership role reports to the VP of Impact and Empowerment. The MSB Manager is responsible for delivering sound TA for Business Foundations and Business Growth. The MSB Manager will focus on promoting economic mobility and racial inclusion through advocacy, planning, leadership development, community celebration, and targeted grants and initiatives designed to secure and support a stronger MSB ecosystem in MA. The MSB Manager will work to maximize synergy cross-departmentally and ensure all MSB clients are met with and nurtured by a growth mindset approach to success. The MSB Manager will meet each client with compassion, where they are, and remove technical barriers that may have held the business back in the past.
Duties:
Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) is a community development corporation anchored in 48 years of community organizing and resident leadership. We seek to transform the lives and amplify the voices of MA residents who have been excluded from prosperity by racial and economic inequities. We build affordable housing that allows people to thrive, provide economic prosperity services that help people build on their strengths, and organize people to pursue the changes they desire. Based in Jamaica Plain, we dare to envision an equitable and inclusive MA in which all people have access to secure affordable homes, economic prosperity for their families, strong small businesses, high-quality childcare, healthy and environmentally responsible neighborhoods, political power, and opportunities to fulfill their potential.
JPNDC's Micro to Small Business (MSB) program is critical to fulfilling this mission. The MSB Manager provides on-the-ground training and coaching to existing business owners such that they can reimagine and position their businesses as mainstays that both support and benefit from a strong MA economy. The MSB Manager also leads our organization in local, state and national dialogs toward identifying funding opportunities to grow JPNDC's MSB services.
There are two primary areas of technical assistance (TA): 1) Solid foundations, which involves business entity filing, business plan development (vision statement, staffing, procurement, accounting, marketing/networking, client services, and stabilization); and 2) Business growth, which involves tailoring the business to the market, strategic growth planning, access to capital and site acquisition/leasing. The MSB sponsors networking events and training, and fosters linkages to mentor and lender relationships for business owners to build their brand and realize revenue growth. The MSB helps business owners thrive so they can offer solid employment opportunities that stabilize residents and families.
What We Offer:
JPNDC offers an extensive benefits package! Up to 90% of individual insurance premiums are paid for health, vision, and dental insurance. We offer 2 weeks of vacation plus one paid week at the end of the year to start. There are 14 paid holidays recognized per year, employer-paid life & disability insurance, a vested 403b retirement plan, and much more! Employees have options to explore professional development and seek college credits or comparable training certifications using our robust tuition assistance benefit.
The Role: This key leadership role reports to the VP of Impact and Empowerment. The MSB Manager is responsible for delivering sound TA for Business Foundations and Business Growth. The MSB Manager will focus on promoting economic mobility and racial inclusion through advocacy, planning, leadership development, community celebration, and targeted grants and initiatives designed to secure and support a stronger MSB ecosystem in MA. The MSB Manager will work to maximize synergy cross-departmentally and ensure all MSB clients are met with and nurtured by a growth mindset approach to success. The MSB Manager will meet each client with compassion, where they are, and remove technical barriers that may have held the business back in the past.
Duties:
- Provide exemplary remote and/or in-person technical assistance support to small businesses.
- Help entrepreneurs with business entity filings, financial literacy, business plan development, loan packages, MWBE certification, and post-loan and launch support.
- Develop and present workshops and networking events focused on topics of interest to the local MSB community.
- Collaborate with JPNDC's Family Mobility Services team to build synergy and maximize impact on the families of MSB clients.
- Support VP of Impact and Empowerment to build and maintain relationships with elected officials, public agencies at the local, state, and national levels, as well as within our stakeholder networks.
- Work with VP of Impact and Empowerment to develop and evaluate MSB programming that maximizes fundraising opportunities for MSB.
- Work with VP of Impact and Empowerment to heighten visibility, spotlight MSB success stories, and broaden access to JPNDC MSB services.
- Amplify MSB advocacy opportunities through legislative priorities in alignment with JPNDC's mission.
- Support annual initiatives and coalition events such as Legislative Breakfasts, MACDC Lobby Day, and the Annual Meeting.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Business Management or a related field such as Corporate Entity Filings, Urban Planning, Accounting, or Marketing.
- Demonstrated experience in business development, particularly working with small businesses, and providing intensive technical assistance and loan packaging services.
- Demonstrated success in business and financial planning, including feasibility analysis for new and existing enterprises.
- Thorough understanding of business accounting, including analysis of financial statements, ratios, and forecasting.
- Experience in economic development and community development; knowledgeable about local business resources.
- Experience in program management and staff supervision.
- Excellent communication and organizational abilities.
- Computer Proficiency required (Zoom, Microsoft 365, Excel, and PowerPoint).
- Effective negotiation and problem resolution skills.
- Ability to work with diverse constituents.
- Bilingual (Spanish/Haitian Creole/English) PREFERRED
Preferred:
- Master's degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Business Development, Organizational Leadership, Economics, or a related field.
Key Skills:
- Must be an exemplary professional and team player.
- Have excellent financial acumen and an ability to meet people where they are to inspire change.
- Be highly organized, efficient, with a strong attention to detail and reporting.
- Ability to undertake a demanding and flexible work schedule, including attending night and weekend activities
- Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
- Solid oral and written communication skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Internet, Databases, and Virtual work tools.
Applications must include both a resume and a cover letter to be considered.
JPNDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer