Business Resource Specialist

Position Title:

Business Resource Specialist

Position Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Categories:

Staff Exempt

Job Summary:

Help Central PA entrepreneurs access the resources and guidance they need to succeed!

As a Business Resource Specialist, you’ll welcome new entrepreneurs to the Bucknell SBDC, support early-stage engagements, and help deliver resources that strengthen the region’s business community. You’ll help clients navigate their first steps, shape high-impact experiences, and contribute to a forward-thinking, technology-enabled SBDC.

This role is ideal for a professional with strong communication skills, digital fluency, event experience, an interest in learning more about small-business advising, and a genuine interest in entrepreneurship. Success in this role means bringing initiative, professionalism, and an ability to translate ideas into action as part of a collaborative, high-performing team. This role includes opportunities to build deeper consulting expertise and take on expanded responsibilities as experience grows. If you love learning fast, doing impactful work, and showing up for your community, you’ll thrive with the Bucknell SBDC!

At the Bucknell University Small Business Development Center (SBDC), we value excellence and a drive to create positive change: professional presence, follow-through, and collaborative problem-solving matter. Our work is grounded in continuous improvement, a bias for action, and genuine empathy for the small business clients we serve. Bucknell’s SBDC has served entrepreneurs and small businesses for over 47 years across Juniata, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, and Union counties. The Bucknell SBDC is one of 15 centers in Pennsylvania and an accredited affiliate of America’s Small Business Development Centers, with over 900 locations nationwide. The SBDC values diversity in its workforce, and all staff contribute to the center’s efforts to reach and engage the increasingly diverse clientele of our region.

This position is a full-time, benefits eligible staff position with the Bucknell University Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and reports to the Assistant Director of the SBDC. The work location is in person, at offices in downtown Lewisburg. This position is funded primarily by grant funds for at least one year, and while SBDC has operated continually at Bucknell with the support of similar grant funds since 1978, this position is contingent upon the continuation of these annual grant awards.

Job Duties:

What You Will Do

Consulting and Client Engagement

• Provides consulting guidance to SBDC clients on startup fundamentals, digital tools, marketing basics, and planning templates. Tracks client milestones and data.

• Researches and develops new resources for clients and the SBDC program overall. 

• Coordinate student projects and provide direction and supervision to student consultants. 

• Serves as a primary point of contact for entrepreneurs who contact the SBDC, assesses their needs and guides clients to appropriate resources, such as workshops, consulting, and digital tools. Maintains accurate and timely records in the SBDC’s systems.

• Identifies opportunities for continuous improvement of processes - including developing prototypes with new tools.

Experience Management & Event Execution

• Manages logistics, communications, budgeting support, and on-site/online execution for client workshops and stakeholder events (set-up, hosting, follow-ups, and documentation), including in-person at locations throughout the SBDC’s region, such as StartUp Danville and StartUp Milton.

• Collaborates with colleagues to ensure seamless, high-quality participant experiences.

Marketing & Digital Communications

• Develops outreach materials, digital content, and marketing campaigns that promote SBDC services, events, and success stories.

• Plans the digital media strategy and content calendar for the SBDC and serve as the primary manager for the SBDC’s social media and email newsletter

• Actively and independently researches, identifies, applies and promotes AI-enabled tools to streamline content creation, workflows, and engagement.

Operational Support

• Coordinates scheduling, communications, and logistics for special initiatives.

What You Will Bring — Required

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, accounting, finance, or related subject - or four years of equivalent professional/entrepreneurial experience.

• Strong communication and customer service skills, with demonstrated professionalism and empathy.

• High digital fluency, including the ability to learn new software and leverage AI-enabled tools to improve workflows.

• Comfort facilitating in-person or online sessions with diverse audiences.

• Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail.

• Valid U.S. driver’s license and ability to travel regionally, with occasional evening/weekend work as needed.

What You Will Bring — Preferred

• Experience in a small business or entrepreneurial environment.
  Familiarity with small-business digital marketing (social media, email platforms, Google Business Profile).

• Knowledge of the Bucknell SBDC service region’s business and economic development ecosystem.

• Experience supporting educational programs, workshops, or community events.
   

What Success Looks Like

• Clients feel welcomed, well-supported, and clearly guided through their journey.

• Events run smoothly, reflect the SBDC’s professional standards, and achieve measurable engagement.

• Digital communications and outreach are consistent, timely, and high-quality.

• Senior consultants view you as a reliable partner in intake, follow-up, and early-stage client support.

• Processes become more efficient thanks to your adoption of digital and AI-enabled tools.

Job Exempt:

Yes

Salary Range:

49,200.00-61,500.00

The offer rate will be based on a review of the candidate's credentials compared to the qualifications of the position, internal equity, and our overall compensation philosophy. 

This role is not budgeted for visa sponsorship at this time, all candidates must be authorized to work in the US at the time of submission of the application.

Benefits:

Eligible full- and part-time employees are compensated beyond base salary through our total rewards package that includes (but is not limited to):

• Flexible scheduling options determined by role; 
• Medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance options
• An outstanding 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan (no contribution requirement for non-exempt positions)
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time, a community service day, and 19 paid holidays (including two full weeks off for Winter Break!)
• Full-time and part-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for themselves. Additionally, full-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for their spouse/spousal equivalent and are eligible for various tuition programs for their children. Credit for full-time benefits eligible employment at other institutions of higher education will be applied to waiting periods.
• A comprehensive employee wellness program including program incentives
• A myriad of other benefits, including parental leave, an employee assistance program, fitness center membership, and the power of your Bucknell ID card 

To learn more about Bucknell's benefits, click here! (*Eligibility criteria and waiting periods may apply.)

Inclusive Excellence:
Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community.  We endeavor to enhance our capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings.  We encourage all individuals to apply and do not discriminate in admissions, employment, educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.

E-Verify

Bucknell University participates with the United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) E-Verify program.  We will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

For additional information regarding Bucknell's E-Verify requirements, please contact the office of Talent, Culture & Human Resources (570) 577-1631 or email hr@bucknell.edu.