Director, Central MN Small Business Development Center - Military Veterans

Job Description

This position is a limited appointment that is externally funded and renews on a yearly basis depending on funding.

This position has day-to-day management responsibility for a SBDC Regional Center serving a large, multi-county region. The Regional Director will direct and manage the delivery of SBDC services, including consulting, training/education, research and technical assistance services, and assistance in securing necessary business capital to existing small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. This position will be autonomous and will manage an increasing resource base (both staff and budget). Regional center management may include responsibility for more than one office {e.g., satellite or outreach locations).
The primary mission of the Minnesota SBDC is to support economic development in the state by providing technical assistance (professional business consultation and education) in the start-up, successful operation, and expansion of small businesses within the state's small business community. In carrying out its mission, the SBDC cooperates with and fully utilizes a broad range of partners, programs, and resources in the state, but its primary attention is focused on leveraging the management and technical assistance resources of sponsoring regional partners (primarily institutions of higher education) and state supported resources.

Administration: The Regional Director is responsible for administration of the Regional Center?s operation.

• Negotiating and providing oversight of the annual grant to be established with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Department for the delivery of the SBDC program to the regional area;
• Developing and implementing a strategic plan that works in concert with the statewide SBDC strategic plan and other SBDC regions to accomplish specified regional and statewide objectives;
• Developing the Regional Center?s operational budget and managing the budget throughout the delivery process;
• Supervising Regional Center personnel, both staff and consultants (some of whom may be independent contractors);
• Developing internal and external resources, including financial resources, to accomplish program objectives;
• Nurturing the relationship between the regional host institution and the Lead Center host institution. Attending management and other meetings as necessary, including travel throughout the state and sometimes nationally;
• Establishing linkages with local small business assistance providers, stakeholders, legislative and elected officials, the SBA and small businesses within the region;
• Planning and coordination of training and outreach programs and activities;
• Oversight of client consulting records in the SBDC management information system. Regularly reviewing activity, performance and management reports for consultants and the center;
• Developing and implementing professional development plans for staff and consultants;
• Providing timely and accurate data, financial information and reports to the Lead Center;
• Knowing and observing the program requirements as established in state and federal law, the SBDC Operations manual, the Code of Conduct and all other program policies and requirements;
• Evaluating program effectiveness and implementing changes for continuous improvement;
• Maintaining a current reference library and data

Professional Business Consultation:

• Meeting with clients to determine their needs and abilities;
• Undertaking research and developing materials necessary and appropriate to meet the needs of clients;
• Providing advice and technical assistance as needed.

Marketing and Outreach: The Regional Director will have lead responsibilities for promoting the SBDC throughout the multi-country area served by that center.

• Making public appearances representing both the SBDC and host institution;
• Developing program marketing plans in concert with the SBDC Lead Center (State Director?s) office to effectively market the services of the SBDC throughout the region and implementing these plans;
• Developing promotional materials in print and electronic form.

Training: The Regional Director will design and deliver training programs sponsored by the SBDC within the region served.

• Planning and marketing seminars and conferences;
• Participating in training events as an instructor or moderator as appropriate;
• Evaluating the effectiveness of training events;
• Providing documentation and reports as required.

Required Documents (Upload at Time of Application)

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• Three (3) professional references
• Unofficial transcript(s)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor?s degree in business administration, finance, or another related field.
• Five years of relevant work experience in business management, finance or accounting.
• Knowledge of SBA loan programs, small business lending practices and gap financing programs.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Broad general knowledge of the principles and practice of small business including financial statements, balance sheet, profit and loss, and cash flow statements.

Preferred Qualification

• Master?s degree preferred.
• Certified Economic Development Finance Specialist through National Development Council.
• In-depth working knowledge of the SBDC program operation, administration and fiscal management.

Work Shift (Hours / Days of work)

Typically 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Friday, some evenings and weekends may be required; Periodic out of town and overnight travel is required including quarterly regional directors' meetings, continuing education, conferences and training seminar facilitation.

About

The successful candidate will share St. Cloud State?s commitment to our mission, and in particular, the value we place in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as outlined in SCSU?s It?s Time strategic framework. Notably, we uphold the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion and engage in intentional actions to address systemic inequities throughout the university and surrounding environment. DEI values, practices, and strategies are embedded into the fabric of our institution and campus community, and they align with the priorities expressed in the Minnesota State system?s Equity 2030 initiative . SCSU expects all of its employees to help advance these practices and to contribute to the development of an anti-racist, inclusive community.

Employment for this position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement for the Minnesota State University Association of Administrative and Service Faculty (MSUAASF) which can be found at: https://www.msuaasf.org/

St. Cloud State University is committed to excellence and actively supports cultural diversity. To promote this endeavor, we invite individuals who contribute to such diversity to apply, including minorities, women, LGBTQIA+, persons with disabilities and veterans. St. Cloud State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, status with regards to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or status as a U.S. veteran. The Title IX coordinator at St. Cloud State University is Chocoletta Simpson. For additional information, contact the Office of Institutional Equity & Access, (320) 308-5123, Admin. Services Bldg. Rm 121