Business Advisor - Government Procurement
Statement of Duties
The Entry-Level APEX Program Business Advisor supports the daily administration and performance management of the Rhode Island APEX Accelerator program under the U.S. Department of Defense cooperative agreement. This position focuses on accurate client data management, federal and host financial reporting, and coordination of program operations to ensure compliance, efficiency, and measurable impact.
This role is ideal for candidates interested in learning government contracting support functions, grants administration, and federal data management while contributing to the mission of helping Rhode Island small businesses compete for public-sector and defense contracts.
Position Functions
The essential functions and duties listed below are intended only as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
Core Responsibilities
Program Administration
- Support day-to-day program operations, scheduling, and administrative coordination for APEX training, counseling, and outreach events.
- Maintain program files, cooperative agreement documentation, and quarterly reporting deliverables in compliance with 2 CFR 200 and APEX Terms & Conditions.
- Assist in preparing and submitting program deliverables, such as quarterly scorecards, SF-425 financial reports, and performance summaries.
- Provide administrative support for APEX budget tracking, subrecipient documentation, and internal reporting to the RI Commerce finance team.
CRM / Neoserra Management
- Serve as the primary data steward for Neoserra and OutreachSystems CRM functions.
- Enter, verify, and maintain accurate client intake, counseling sessions, training events, and award outcomes in accordance with DoD reporting standards.
- Generate monthly and quarterly analytics, data quality reports, and client impact metrics for program leadership.
Financial and Performance Reporting
- Compile supporting documentation for federal reimbursement requests and ensure internal consistency between program data and fiscal reports.
- Prepare performance dashboards summarizing client outcomes, event participation, and financial utilization for quarterly and annual submissions.
- Support internal and federal audits by maintaining organized digital and physical documentation.
Client and Partner Support
- Serve as the single point of entry for new businesses engaging with the Rhode Island APEX Accelerator.
- Conduct the Intro to Government Contracting session for all new clients to orient them to APEX services and federal procurement fundamentals.
- Complete and review all client intake and assessment.
- Assist clients with initial SAM.gov registration, PIEE account setup, and SPRS registration as part of their onboarding process.
- Perform Small Business Searches and preliminary market research to confirm eligibility, NAICS codes, and readiness for contracting.
- Provide administrative assistance to advisors by scheduling counseling sessions, updating client profiles, and preparing reports or forms.
- Respond to basic client inquiries regarding APEX services, registration, and training opportunities.
- Assist with coordination of partner data exchanges and public reporting (e.g., event rosters, sign-in sheets, evaluation summaries).
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
- Proven experience in administrative support roles, preferably in a program coordination capacity.
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Excellent organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to counsel and support clients effectively.
- Knowledge of government contracting laws, policies, and procedures is desirable.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a collaborative team.
- Ability to maintain an active State issued Driver’s License.
- Ability to travel in the State 15% of the time.
Classification
- Regular Full Time – 37.5 hours per week
- Salary/Exempt
- Travel 15% of the time
- Maintain active State issued Drivers License
Reports to
APEX Accelerator Director
Rhode Island Commerce Corporation is an at-will employer; no employment contracts exist.
The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation (the ‘Corporation’) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Corporation does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by applicable law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. The Corporation will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.