Small Business Advisor- Economic Development

Organizational Summary: Bridge Street Development Corporation is an innovative nonprofit community development corporation based in the historic Bedford-Stuyvesant community of Brooklyn. Bridge Street builds and sustains strong communities throughout Central Brooklyn by advancing financial empowerment, social justice, and racial equity through a range of integrated programs serving youth, older adults, small businesses, and residents. Learn more at www.bsdcorp.org.

Position Summary: Bridge Street’s economic development work focuses on strengthening small businesses and entrepreneurs by connecting them to capital, training, and professional resources. The Small Business Advisor provides direct, hands-on technical assistance to small business owners across Brooklyn, with a primary focus on Central Brooklyn. This is a client-facing role requiring strong communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple business cases simultaneously while meeting programmatic and reporting requirements.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide individualized technical assistance to small business owners, including intake and assessment, goal setting, business planning, basic financial management, marketing strategies, regulatory compliance guidance, and operational problem-solving.
• Manage a portfolio of small business clients through ongoing case management, follow-up, and referrals to lenders, professional service providers, and training partners, as appropriate.
• Deliver services in alignment with contract scopes of work, performance metrics, and reporting requirements.
• Maintain accurate client documentation and data to support grant compliance, audits, reporting, and program evaluation.
• Conduct targeted outreach to small business owners and entrepreneurs within Bridge Street’s service area and represent the organization at business-related events, workshops, and community forums.
• Collaborate with Economic Development, Community Engagement, and Finance staff to ensure coordinated service delivery, data collection, and continuous improvement.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and professional development activities; perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in business, economics, urban planning, public administration, or a related field.
• At least two (2) years of experience providing small business support, technical assistance, or related advisory services (experience may be adjusted for strong entry-level candidates).
• Familiarity with small business operations, basic financial concepts, and community-based economic development.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse business owners.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple client cases and deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data tracking systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with minority-, women-, or immigrant-owned businesses.
• Knowledge of New York City and New York State small business resources, lending programs, and the regulatory environment.
• Experience with grant-funded programs and performance reporting.
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities a plus.

Working Conditions: This position requires in-person/in-office work at our Central Brooklyn office location, with flexibility for occasional site visits and attending community meetings. Occasional evening or weekend work required to meet organizational needs and community engagement activities.

Compensation: Salary range of $50,000-$65,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Bridge Street offers comprehensive benefits that include medical, dental, vision insurance and a 403b retirement savings plan.

How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to info@bsdcorp.org. Please submit all documents as PDFs and write “Small Business Advisor – Economic Development” in the subject line. Due to the high volume of applicants, only qualified candidates will be contacted.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Bridge Street Development Corporation is an equal opportunity employer.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and may be modified based on organizational needs and funding requirements.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person