The Urban League is seeking a dedicated and creative team member to join our Black Business Hub Accelerator Program Team. As a member of the Urban League team, you will be joining an organization with a local and national legacy as one of the most impactful community development and civil rights organizations in the nation. 

We are seeking a results-oriented professional who will recruit high-growth entrepreneurs, coordinate partnerships, and support the financial success of small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs that are affiliated with The Hub. This position requires strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills and involves working flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

We offer an excellent benefits package that includes generous paid time off in the form of vacation time, paid sick time, and paid holidays. In addition, we offer family health insurance plans (85% of premium covered by ULGM for individual or family plan!), a flexible spending plan, life and disability insurance, and optional dental and vision plans.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. However, to ensure consider, apply by Friday, April 3. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Business Development Support (approximately 75%)

Recruitment: Proactively scout and onboard high-potential startups and small businesses; manage the full recruitment lifecycle to ensure a diverse pipeline of  small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs affiliated with the Urban League Hub.

Business Coaching: Provide one-on-one strategic coaching and consultation with entrepreneurs on operational scaling, market expansion, long-term financial success, and other aspects of successfully launching, sustaining, and growing a business.

Program Development & Implementation: Design and execute one-off and cohort style business development programming focused on all aspects of launching, managing and growing a successful business including financial management, marketing, legal, HR, operational frameworks, and more.

Access to Capital: Develop and support pathways to diverse capital streams; identify and help develop opportunities for under-served small business owners to secure funding and financing through traditional  financial institutions such as banks and credit unions, nonprofit small business development agencies and CDFIs, grant, and other opportunities.

Partnerships & Collaboration (External): Manage a robust network of partnerships with for-profit financial institutions, small business development agencies, chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, and other community partners that seek to support the Urban League’s mission to help incubate, sustain, and grown underserved small business owners and emerging entrepreneurs.

Partnerships & Collaboration (Internal): Collaborate with the Hub Food Entrepreneurship Manager and other Urban League staff to ensure strong internal collaboration both within Hub programming and across the full portfolio of Urban League programs.

Community Building: Organize and facilitate networking, training, and other special events that foster a sense of community and peer support among the program participants and the Black Business Hub tenants and members. Help ensure that entrepreneurs take full advantage of the resources available at the Black Business Hub and throughout Madison’s business development ecosystem.

3. Events Assistance (approximately 25%)

Strategic Programming: Design and facilitate high-level professional events, including pitch events, , networking mixers, and other summits and convenings.

Operational Oversight: Coordinate Hub-hosted events, managing vendors and partners, and quality control to ensure a premium experience for all stakeholders.

Community Building & Network Cultivation: Leverage relationships between Hub tenants, regional business leaders, and institutional partners to foster a high-performance peer community.

3. Other

Impact Metrics & Reporting: Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation of participant growth metrics (ROI, revenue, and job creation) for reporting to the Director, executive leadership, and funding partners.

Strategic Initiatives: Lead special projects and community engagement activities as directed by the Hub leadership to advance the organization’s mission.

Urban League Community Engagement: All employees are expected to participate in Urban League’s community engagement and civic outreach activities as well as other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong commitment to the mission of the Urban League of Greater Madison and to racial equity work.
• Paid experience in managing or delivering business development programs or services to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
• Bachelor's degree in business, entrepreneurship, or a related field, or equivalent work experience preferred. 
• Strong event management, coordination and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to develop strategic plans and tactical actions that achieve desired results.
• Be goal oriented, problem solver and solution driven.
• Strong time management and organizational skills and the ability to balance multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Strong customer service focus and ability to set and maintain standards that deliver outstanding service.
• Knowledge of financial resources, including grants and loans for small businesses.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, event planning tools, and other relevant software and platforms.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Direct Supervisor: Director, Urban League Black Business Hub

Full Time Equivalent: 1.0, Exempt

Work Hours: Requiring frequent night and weekend hours for classes, special events, and other activities. 

Location: This is an in-person position based at 2352 S. Park Street, Madison, Wisconsin