Client and Center Operations Specialist

About the position

The Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) seeks a Client and Center Operations Specialist to serve as first point of contact and front office receptionist with responsibility to provide office management, client services, fiscal, and administrative assistance to the Director, Advisors, Stakeholders and Clients of the center. We are seeking qualified applicants who are interested in assisting small businesses and entrepreneurs. Grant funded by the Small Business Administration (SBA), the SBDC has been a Sponsored Program hosted by JMU since 1987. Located near campus, there is easy access to parking and a pleasant work environment with large offices and natural light. As part of the Virginia SBDC Network, the office is supported with professional development opportunities, training and connection with centers throughout the Commonwealth.

Responsibilities

• Ascertains client eligibility and assessment for course attendance and/or advisor assignment. Maintains client confidentiality and follows client journey along with business advisors to ensure best in class customer service.
• Consistently updates and maximizes the efficiency of the Customer Relations Management system to provide reports to advisors and director to meet or exceed SBA/SBDC goals.
• Provide administrative assistance to the director with an annual budget including several departments, assists with grant management, communicating regularly with other JMU departments and the SBDC Network.
• Records, monitors, and reports program income and foundation account expenses and revenues with director's assistance. Reconciles expenses, receipts, and deposits according to Virginia SBDC and University policy.
• Functions as the primary point of contact for visitors, clients, partners, and investors.
• Manages the Center's shared Outlook Calendar and events, sets appointments, schedules meetings and workshops, and makes appropriate travel arrangements for staff.
• Assists the Director in hiring wage and student employees and enters payroll.
• Participates in professional development and training with the Virginia Small Business Development Network and collaborates with the Research, Economic Development, and Innovation (REDI) division at JMU.

Requirements

• Excellent customer service skills
• Ability to establish and maintain strong professional relationships
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality in all client interactions
• Ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Must be well-organized and have exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to maintain a structured work environment for efficient office operations
• Computer software knowledge in Microsoft Office, including Teams

Nice-to-haves

• Familiarity with JMU Accounting, HR processes, and systems such as eVA and PeopleSoft is beneficial but not required

Benefits

• Paid vacation, sick, parental, and community service leave
• 19 paid holidays a year
• Affordable health insurance
• Retirement through the Virginia Retirement System
• Work-life balance and integration program, Balanced Dukes
• Tuition Waiver Program for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU