Director, Central MN Small Business Development Center

Job Description

This position is grant funded, and renews annually. Although there is a position end date listed in this posting, funding is currently secured through December 2025. Funding is renewable every 3 years through a competitive grant process, and this is a long-standing position on campus.

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. 

• Provide 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;

• Develop and implement a strategic plan that works in concert with the statewide SBDC strategic plan and other SBDC regions to accomplish specified regional and statewide objectives; 

• Develop the Regional Center?s operational budget and managing the budget throughout the delivery process; 

• Supervise and implement professional development opportunities for Regional Center personnel, both staff and consultants (some of whom may be independent contractors);

• Develop internal and external resources, including financial resources, to accomplish program objectives;

• Foster and maintain the relationship between the regional host institution and the Lead Center host institution. Attend management and other meetings as necessary, including travel throughout the state and sometimes nationally;

• Establish linkages with local small business assistance providers, stakeholders, legislative and elected officials, the SBA and small businesses within the region; 

• Plan and coordinate training and outreach programs and activities; 

• Develop and implement professional development plans for staff and consultants; 

• Provide timely and accurate data, financial information and reports to the Lead Center; 

• Adhere to program requirements as established in state and federal law, the SBDC Operations manual, the Code of Conduct and all other program policies and requirements;

• Evaluate program effectiveness and implement changes for continuous improvement; 

• Maintain a current reference library and data

Professional Business Consultation:

• Meet with clients to determine their needs and abilities; 

• Undertake research and develop materials necessary and appropriate to meet the needs of clients; 

• Provide 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.   

• Represent Central Minnesota Small Business Development Center and University (host institution) at community organization meetings and events;

• Develop 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; 

• Develop 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. 

• Plan and market seminars and conferences; 

• Participate in training events as an instructor or moderator as appropriate; 

• Evaluate the effectiveness of training events; 

• Provide 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