Small Business Consultant - Marketing in Fullerton, California at CSU Fullerton Auxiliary Services Corporation

The Orange County / Inland Empire Small Business Development Center Network is a federal program partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration & the California Governors Office of Business & Economic Development. The SBDC is hosted by California State University, Fullerton. The purpose of this grant is to provide no-cost technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Orange County. The CSUF SBDC is seeking a Consultant with extensive marketing experience. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of developing and implementing successful marketing strategies for small and medium-sized businesses across diverse industries. Candidates should possess a strong understanding of the unique challenges facing small businesses, including limited marketing budgets, evolving consumer behavior, competitive market conditions, and the increasing importance of digital engagement. The consultant will provide practical, results-driven guidance to help business owners assess their current marketing efforts, identify growth opportunities, strengthen their competitive positioning, and develop actionable marketing plans that generate measurable results. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in market research, customer segmentation, brand positioning, website optimization, search engine optimization (SEO), local search visibility, social media marketing, content development, email marketing, paid digital advertising, and customer relationship management (CRM). Experience leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), marketing automation, data analytics, and emerging digital technologies to improve marketing efficiency and effectiveness is highly desirable. The successful candidate must be able to translate complex marketing concepts into practical, cost-effective strategies tailored to each client's business objectives, resources, and growth potential, with a strong emphasis on implementation, performance measurement, and return on marketing investment.

*Please be aware that funding for this position is awarded through a Grant/Contract over a specified period. Employment for this position beyond current Grant/Contract funding is contingent upon continued funding or new Grant/Contract.

• Provide consulting, training, and information services in the region to pre-venture, start-up, and small size businesses.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments of existing marketing strategies, brand positioning, target markets, customer acquisition methods, and overall marketing performance.
• Assist businesses in developing actionable marketing plans aligned with their business goals, competitive positioning, available resources, and growth objectives.
• Guide clients in identifying their ideal customer profiles, evaluating target markets, and developing compelling value propositions and competitive differentiation strategies.
• Advise businesses on customer acquisition, lead generation, conversion optimization, customer retention, and strategies to increase customer lifetime value.
• Help businesses establish appropriate marketing budgets, evaluate marketing expenditures, and identify opportunities to improve return on marketing investment.
• Support clients in developing pricing, promotional, and market expansion strategies that contribute to sustainable revenue growth.

• Evaluate clients' digital presence, including websites, search engine visibility, social media platforms, online business listings, and customer engagement channels.
• Provide guidance on website optimization, user experience, search engine optimization (SEO), local SEO, and strategies to improve online visibility and customer conversion.
• Assist businesses in developing effective social media marketing, content marketing, email marketing, and digital advertising strategies.
• Guide clients in developing content calendars, promotional campaigns, and integrated marketing initiatives that strengthen brand awareness and customer engagement.
• Advise businesses on the practical application of artificial intelligence (AI), marketing automation, and digital tools to improve marketing productivity, content development, customer communication, and campaign effectiveness.
• Help businesses evaluate and implement customer relationship management (CRM) systems, marketing analytics tools, and other technologies that support customer acquisition and retention.
• Support clients in establishing and monitoring marketing key performance indicators (KPIs), including lead generation, conversion rates, customer acquisition costs, engagement, and return on marketing investment.
• Conduct market research and competitive analyses to identify industry trends, customer preferences, emerging opportunities, and potential market challenges.
• Assist businesses in developing or refining brand identity, messaging, value propositions, and market positioning.
• Evaluate competitors' marketing strategies, digital presence, customer engagement, and market differentiation to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Help clients understand customer purchasing behaviors and use market intelligence to make informed marketing and business decisions.
• Provide guidance on developing effective marketing materials, promotional messaging, and customer communication strategies.
• Maintain client database by preparing detailed written assessment and make recommendations for improvements.
• Keep abreast of business trends, techniques, and processes.
• Work collaboratively with peers and the business community to expand expertise.
• Community outreach responsibilities will include public presentations to key stakeholders and service on appropriate boards and committees related to economic development.
• Travel as required to perform cross county-wide job functions.
• Complete all forms and maintain client files as required by the SBA.
• Document information, assistance, and outcomes of sessions with clients related to consulting and training activities performed by the consultant.
• Provide Center with timely reports related to milestones and success stories of clients economic outcomes.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Must be previous or current small business owner.
• Strong understanding of strategic marketing plans, understanding the steps to implement and execute various efforts associated with marketing plans, evaluating the results of various marketing campaigns in achieving overall business objectives, and assessing market resource outcomes.
• A proven record of integrating successful marketing initiatives across multiple channels (traditional and digital) that directly contributed to revenue growth, brand expansion and market penetration for small businesses.
• Expertise in identifying and capitalizing on emerging marketing opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to execute integrated campaigns that utilize a mix of traditional and digital channels.
• Skills in designing customer journeys and experiences that enhance retention and satisfaction, and engaging storytelling to drive customer engagement.
• Experience in advising small businesses.
• Experience delivering business presentations on a variety of topics in a public setting to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious work relations with staff, clients, government agency(s), business resources, and the general public.
• Computer skills with working knowledge of various software packages are necessary.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual Spanish or Vietnamese, preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and proficiency with computers and web-based research

EDUCATION:

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in a business-related field or equivalent experience in business management or financial analysis (minimum four years), or bachelors degree in any field with two years of business management or business ownership.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Lifting of up to 25lbs.; periodic bending; long-term periods of sitting; long term periods operating a computer

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

CSU Fullerton, Auxiliary Services Corporation (ASC) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Human Resources Representative at (657) 278-4117.

ASC offers comprehensive benefits based on employment classification. To learn more about ASC's benefits please view the information here.