Career Opportunities

The Arizona SBDC State Director will direct and monitor the SBDC network’s program activities and financial affairs to ensure the effective delivery of services to the small business community and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and the terms and conditions related to the Small Business Administration cooperative agreement, to the APEX Accelerator program, other network funding agreements and America’s SBDC accreditation standards.
The Arizona SBDC State Director will oversee administrative services and coordination for the SBDC network, including development of strategic relationships, strategic planning, promotion and public relations, financial management, budgets and funding sources, client services program assessment and evaluation, SBDC service center reviews to ensure compliance, and internal quality control.

Essential Functions

30% – Strategic Relationships and Strategic Planning:

• • Develops strategic partnerships with agencies, organizations, associations, and public and private entities to support the goals and initiatives of the Arizona SBDC Network and to promote statewide small business and economic growth. Maintains relationships with the U.S. Small Business Administration, OSBDC office, program manager, and local Arizona SBA district staff.
  • Collaborates with the MCCCD leadership, college administrators, host college leadership, and other institutional partners statewide, regarding shared strategic economic development opportunities that grow, expand, or benefit small businesses throughout Arizona.
  • Provides leadership to the network of 10 Arizona SBDC Service Centers and the APEX Accelerator program.
  • Advocates for SBDC during legislative sessions. Create and communicate statewide talking points. Provides regular communications with local, state, and national legislators to promote the value and economic impact of SBDC services to small businesses.
  • Represents the Arizona SBDC network at AZSBDC network events, public events, stakeholder and partner meetings, and other special events to promote the mission and goals of the Arizona SBDC-APEX Accelerator network. Supports general outreach and advocacy efforts of the SBDC network.
  • Develops the program vision and long-range strategic plan, goals, and objectives for the effective implementation of the AZSBDC small business development centers and programs.
  • Promotes and oversees the implementation of the strategic plan. Provides oversight of the design, execution, and effectiveness of the network.
  • Maintains current knowledge of general and small business economic conditions at a local, state, and national level.

30% – Financial Management and Funding

• • Plans, develops, and directs the administration of network budgets and grant funding; provides financial and programmatic oversight to the lead center and service centers.
  • Secure funding to enhance client services and build capacity for the AZSBDC network.
  • Manages budgets and allocates resources to achieve strategic objectives.
  • Reviews all contracts and agreements to inform financial and programmatic oversight. Negotiates and oversees the administration of contracts and agreements.
  • Maintains advanced knowledge of federal grant regulations and funding opportunity terms and requirements.

30% – Program Performance and Compliance (30%)

• • Oversees network performance to goal achievement as stipulated in the SBA CORE cooperative agreement, and performance to goals for other network-wide service agreements.
  • Oversees and ensures the Arizona SBDC program maintains its America’s SBDC accreditation status. Oversees and participates in the preparation of and participation in the network accreditation renewal process. Promotes continuous improvement to achieve program goals to ensure the quality of client services and to promote efficient internal operations.
  • Oversees the development of network-wide program policies and procedures to ensure program compliance and application of applicable laws, codes, regulations, and standards.
  • Provides guidance and interpretation of SBA CORE program terms and conditions, agreements, and applicable laws, codes, and regulations. Communicates and requests guidance from the SBA OSBDC Program Manager when needed to ensure compliance. Is the main point of contact for any other network-wide agreements and contracts.
  • Oversees, contributes, and assigns staff as appropriate to prepare required SBA CORE program compliance reports and audits to include the biennial audits, financial audits, AZSBDC programmatic reviews, and quarterly, semi-annual, and annual financial, narrative, and data reports. Oversees, contributes and assigns staff to produce required reports for other network-wide agreements.
  • Provides direction, guidance, and input to AZSBDC network service centers to inform client service strategies and programs, including advising, training, other special events or planned programs, and prospective local or regional partnerships.
  • Resolves difficult or complex inquiries and complaints from SBDC clients, host colleges, stakeholders, and partners.

10% – Other Duties as Assigned:

• • Maintains regular communications with AZSBDC network leadership, center directors, and APEX program director to provide needed support, professional development, and guidance.
  • Promotes staff performance excellence within the network and supports ongoing professional development opportunities.
  • Participates in network-wide SBDC events, and when appropriate, travels to AZSBDC service centers to participate in and support local SBDC activities.
  • Attends the annual ASBDC Winter (leadership) Conference, the annual ASBDC National Conference, the regional Square States meetings, and monthly ASBDC State Director and SBA OSBDC virtual meetings.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s Degree from a regionally accredited institution in public affairs, business, or directly related field, and ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in small business ownership, business development, economic development, or related experience that includes promotion of small business growth, development, and sustainability, and significant management and supervisory experience.

OR

An equivalent combination of the conferred degree and directly related full-time work experience as described above, sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job, such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation, may be considered.

Desired Qualifications

• • Demonstrated experience administering federal projects and cooperative agreements among dispersed, multi-site locations or collaborative organizations. Successful experience in an SBDC at a community college or university setting, as well as a comprehensive understanding of the mission and role of a community college, especially in workforce and economic development, and the role of an SBDC therein.
  • Advanced knowledge of small business and economic development principles, differing and complex economic conditions, needs, and challenges in rural vs urban communities; demonstrated ability to maintain detailed knowledge of current/recent federal, state, local grant developments, funding opportunities, and business community practices/events via diverse sources of information.
  • Principles and practices of executive and strategic leadership; principles and practices of group facilitation and building consensus; conflict resolution and negotiation strategies; principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis; advanced leadership experience with holistic knowledge of management and supervisory principles, practices, and techniques.
  • Principles and practices of budgeting and fiscal management; working knowledge of fund accounting; professional knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
  • Principles and techniques of effective oral presentations, public relations, strategic marketing, and promotion.
  • Advanced knowledge of federal grant regulations and funding opportunity terms for the program. Demonstrated ability to maintain all grant reporting requirements and professional relationships to receive direction and guidance from the US Small Business Administration.