Part-time Consulting Lead — SMB systems, automations, client-facing

Univium (small-business consultancy) is hiring a part-time Consulting Lead to own client problems end-to-end: lead discovery calls, scope and design solutions, write dev briefs (Jira), review deliverables, and draft proposals. Start 5 hrs/week, scale to 10 then 20. Hire needed within 3–4 weeks. Hours & Rate - Start: 5 hrs/week; scale to 10 → 20 as proven - Rate: $90–$110/hr (final rate based on experience/fit) - Location: US-based only (required) - Timeline: must be available to start within 3–4 weeks Key responsibilities - Lead or co-lead 1–3 client discovery/consultation calls weekly - Scope client problems, design fit‑for‑purpose solutions, write clear Jira cards/dev briefs - Review dev output, manage handoffs, and communicate results to clients - Draft proposals with hourly estimates and confidence levels for owner review - Self-onboard to new clients by mining notes, recordings, existing systems - Flag high-risk/low-confidence work proactively What this role is NOT - Not responsible for writing production code (in-house devs implement) - Not responsible for owning sales or managing other consultants initially Success outcomes (first 6 months) - Help scale active clients from 3 → 5–6 without increasing owner hours - Independently move 1–2 projects/week from scope → dev handoff or run 2–3 consultations/proposals weekly - Owner spends time on risk-review/high‑stakes oversight, not solution generation - Minimal hand‑holding required for onboarding; interactions are net relief for owner - Documented process to onboard a second consultant by month 6–9 Required qualifications - US-based with flexible scheduling for client calls - 5+ years working with small businesses (SMB experience required) - Hands-on familiarity with at least 4 of: Airtable, Notion, Zapier / N8N / Make, Google Apps Script, Lovable / Replit - Strong client-facing experience (leading discovery, managing expectations) - Proven portfolio of end-to-end SMB projects (scoping → solution → handoff) - Excellent at writing dev briefs / Jira tickets and delegating execution - Strong strategic problem-solving and calibrated risk awareness - Available to ramp to 10 hrs/week on 1–2 weeks' notice Screening filters (what we’ll prioritize) - Clear portfolio of solved SMB problems, ability to justify tool choices - Evidence of self-directed initiative and minimal ramp-time hires - Comfortable working via Upwork (time tracker), available within 3–4 weeks - NOT a pure executor, enterprise-only consultant, or non-US-based How to apply Submit via Upwork with: - Relevant hourly rate expectation within $90–$120/hr - Short cover note (1–2 paragraphs) summarizing why you fit this role - 2–3 portfolio examples of SMB problems you’ve solved end-to-end (links or brief case studies) - Your earliest availability to start - We’ll screen on Upwork, present finalists to the owner. Owner will interview top candidates (30–45 min). Selected candidate starts at 5 hrs/week. Owner note to candidates: We need someone who makes the owner’s life easier from week one — minimal hand‑holding, strong judgment, clear communication. If that sounds like you, please apply.