Position Announcement | Business Case Manager
Position type: Full-time; Oakland, CA
Start date: June 2015
Salary: Commensurate with experience; excellent benefits
ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION
For nearly 35 years, OBDC Small Business Finance has been committed to creating economic opportunity in
the Bay Area by serving and supporting small business communities by providing technical assistance and
loans. Through innovative partnerships we provide business owners with the capital, education, and
relationships that allow them to flourish. Our collaborative approach helps our borrowers create jobs and
stimulates economic development in low-to-moderate income communities.
 Do you have experience in small business advising, underwriting, community economic development,
or research?
 Do you share our values of diversity, opportunity, empowerment, innovation, and partnership?
 Do you want to work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment where your work is valued?
If this sounds like you, then we encourage you to apply to work at OBDC.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Business Case Manager will work directly with a wide-range of businesses at different stages along the
growth curve, with varying degrees of experience and sophistication within a variety of industries. Initially,
this role will work closely with the Vice President of Business Consulting to execute day to day tactical
efforts surrounding OBDC’s launch and implementation of a program tailored specifically to providing
technical assistance to business that may be impacted during the three-year construction of the Bus Rapid
Transit (BRT) line from 19th Street to the San Leandro BART station, primarily along 14th or International
Boulevard. Thereafter, the BCM role will provide oversight and direction to other strategic initiatives
dedicated to delivering innovation, process excellence and transformation to OBDC stakeholders.
The Business Case Manager (BCM) will work with clients with a wide-range of business experience and
sophistication, whose businesses are in various industries and stages of growth. In certain instances the
BCM may have a specialty skill set in the areas such as restaurants, retailing, finance, bookkeeping,
technology, marketing, or other specific area that are required by BRT businesses. BCM may also have a
fluency in another language that reflects one or more of the cultural communities that exist along the
corridor.
MAJOR JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
For businesses impacted by the BRT Project (client), the BCM will provide technical assistance to increase
business productivity, offset a decline in revenue or profitability, and position businesses for growth after
the project. The BCM will:
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Hold one-to-one confidential advisement sessions to help businesses create and implement
business and/or action plans
Become knowledgeable of and then produce and manage milestone data as required to meet
project goals. Data includes but is not limited to number of: requests for assistance, clients served,
business retention, business started, business relocated jobs created, jobs retained, jobs lost and
training attendees. Data will also include the amount of: capital infusion, increased sales, increased
profitability, and client satisfaction.
Develop and deliver workshops based on identified areas of need.
Create and facilitate business success stories.
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Advise clients on the appropriate technical and governmental resources that can promote their
success.
Utilize OBDC technology platform to record consulting sessions, workshops delivery, milestone
achievement
Strongly promote the cultivation of OBDC culture, mission and core values to drive client
satisfaction.
Financial and Business Acumen
Consult and advise clients regarding best practices in finance, projections, bookkeeping and record keeping.
Address client funding concerns and cash shortfalls and growth opportunities through effective business
planning financial analysis and project management.
Assist clients in the areas of products/services, customer growth, competitive landscape, marketing,
management, finance, technology and operations.
Assist clients with fundraising through (i) business planning; (ii) calculating, researching and interpreting
historical financial statements and (ii) preparing financial projections.
Community Outreach
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with local leaders, businesses, entrepreneurs and
other decision-makers. Participate in key events and strategic activities that provide the maximum
opportunity for BRT impacted stakeholders.
Be recognized as a point of contact, meaningful resource and community leader, serving as a source of upto-date information and advocate for business development and retention along the BRT corridor.
Business Development
Generate and effectively manage client requests for technical assistance. Activities include but are not
limited to: community outreach through one-on-one conversations and group meetings, lead generation
activities, and conducting business needs assessments.
Utilize training to generate new clients.
Collaborate with OBDC Marketing team to develop compelling sales and marketing material around BRT.
Recommend activities that result in client growth and create a positive OBDC image.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics or related field required.
Masters Degree strongly preferred;
5+ years’ experience in business development, consultant and/or small business management required;
Business consulting within one or more of the following sectors desirable: restaurant, retail or automotive;
Business consulting within one of more of the following areas desirable: marketing, social media, websites,
technology, bookkeeping or operations.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to the organization with a passion for economic
development and empowering entrepreneurs.
Good people skills with experience collaborating in a multi-disciplinary, diverse, and dynamic team.
Demonstrated understanding of issues facing urban communities, specifically Oakland and surrounding
areas.
Self-starter who can work with minimal supervision and be comfortable in an evolving nonprofit
environment.
Demonstrated ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and maintain emotional control in a fast-paced
setting.
Demonstrated skill in group presentation and public speaking.
Ability to express oneself clearly and articulately both orally and in writing.
Ability to make decisions and take initiative in problem and conflict resolution.
Ability to exercise tact and responsibility with handling confidential information.
ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT
The work environment characteristics and physical effort described here are representative of those an
employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations
may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to a wide range of small business locations
in the Oakland community and surrounding areas approximately 50% of the time and 50% in an office
setting. Work assignments are diversified and may cause stress in meeting tight deadlines with scheduling
requirements. The physical requirements of the job are for employees to talk, hear, bend/stoop, sitting,
standing, and/or walking for up to 8 hours per day. Furthermore, the job requires employees to
lift/carry/push or pull up to 25 pounds with or without assistance.
How to Apply:
Qualified candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected] and indicate specific
industries with experience / expertise.