COBID Manager (Grants, Loans, Programs Manager 2)

State of Oregon•Salem, OR

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency, is seeking a COBID Manager (Grants, Loans, Programs Manager 2) within the Innovation and Business Resources Division, Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity (COBID) section. This role is crucial for promoting prosperity for all Oregonians and building strong communities through partnership. The position supports Business Oregon's mission to invest in Oregon businesses, communities, and people to foster a globally competitive, diverse, and inclusive economy. The COBID Manager will lead a 12-member team, overseeing seven business certification programs, associated outreach, engagement, and reporting, and managing the statewide COBID Advisory group. The incumbent will also serve as a certification and contracting expert in high-level policy discussions with internal and external stakeholders. This is a hybrid position offering work-life balance and flexibility, with the expectation of occasional in-office presence. Business Oregon is the economic development agency for the state of Oregon, employing about 200 people. The agency works to help businesses grow, create jobs, diversify the economy, and increase Oregon's prosperity by enhancing infrastructure and community safety. Business Oregon is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, applying an equity lens to its programs and investments to advance socio-economic justice and promote equitable economic opportunities. The COBID team is responsible for certifying businesses under seven distinct programs: Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women Business Enterprise (WBE), Veteran Business Enterprise (SDVBE), Emerging Small Business (ESB), and Oregon Small Business Enterprise (OSBE). COBID publishes online directories of certified firms and conducts public awareness activities, acting as a resource and referral service for information needed by minority, women, service-disabled veteran, and small businesses.

Requirements

Six years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience; OR three years of related experience and a bachelor's degree in a related field

Nice To Haves

Deep knowledge of certification programs – including statute and rule
Strong track record of developing and maintaining strategic partnerships, including those with elected officials, government agencies, community partners and businesses
Experience working with elected officials to develop and implement policy and budgetary objectives
Experience managing annual budgets and experience developing budgets
Experience utilizing quantitative and qualitative data for program evaluation and planning purposes
Experience managing external advisory groups
Experience building and maintaining relationships with partners, experience making presentations to partners, including the state legislature
Experience authoring intergovernmental agreements that are mutually beneficial and actionable

Responsibilities

Supervising 12-member staff
Managing the workload associated with seven business certification programs and associated outreach and engagement and reporting
Managing the statewide COBID Advisory group
Serving as a certification and contracting expert in high level policy discussions with internal and external stakeholders
Maintain expertise in business certification statutes, rules and policies at the federal and state levels
Act as Administrative Rules Coordinator, responsible for establishing, revising and adopting rules related to the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)/ Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)/Women Business Enterprise (WBE)/Emerging Small Business (ESB)/Veteran Business Enterprise (VBE)/Oregon Small Business Enterprise (OSBE) certification programs
Assign and manage workload; provides consultation and training to staff on all aspects of the certification process
Develop and implement administrative rules, long and short-range plan and objectives, and program policies and procedures to carry out the responsibilities of the COBID team
Engage in strategic discussions with nationwide counterparts related to national trends and challenges and serves as a strong leader and advocate for COBID programs and COBID certified businesses
Coordinate annual FHWA and ODOT audits, prepare audit reports, respond to audit findings and recommendations and represent COBID at annual FHWA audit close-out meeting
Establish and provide leadership for a Statewide COBID Advisory Group
Supervise staff in their development of a sophisticated and intentional outreach strategy/marketing plan targeted at businesses and partners with the goal of increasing awareness of COBID program and increasing the number of certified firms in Oregon
Serve as point for COBID team for outreach with elected officials – including the Legislature
Manage the COBID Team that includes Compliance Specialists, Policy Analysts, Outreach staff, and Administrative personnel
Responsible for team budget, development of team policies and procedures, performance measures, personnel administration, and management of staff

Benefits

Work/life balance
Generous benefit package
11 paid holidays a year
3 paid personal days
Flexible work schedules
Paid leave
Employer contribution retirement plan (PERS)
Pension plan
Deferred compensation packages
Deepening employee engagement by connecting and building strong teams, using enhanced communications, transparency, mentoring, and coaching
Care for our people and culture
Investment in employees’ well-being including training and professional development, addressing burnout and other efforts that contribute to healthy, whole employees
Public Service Loan Forgiveness