Director, Small Business Services

TechTown Detroit•Detroit, MI

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Small Business Services Director is a full-time role on TechTown Detroit’s Programs team. TechTown is Wayne State University’s entrepreneurship hub, supporting Metro Detroit startups and local businesses through resources, collaborative workspace, and education to advance inclusive economic development. The Director leads a team of six experienced staff and oversees the strategic development and execution of small business programs and coaching services, including Coaching UP, long-term coaching, Retail Boot Camp, the Hatch Detroit contest, and The Shop pop-up series. The role advances economic impact in Detroit and Wayne County, strengthens support for historically underrepresented entrepreneurs, and helps communicate program outcomes through data and testimonials. The Director manages multi-million-dollar grants and the program budget, supports fundraising and funding relationships, and represents TechTown in the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem. The position works closely with internal program, marketing and communications, fund development, finance, and digital solutions teams to improve operations, data collection, analysis, and service quality. Most team members in this role work in the office or with clients at least three days per week. The position also supports weekend and evening events, trainings, and tabling opportunities.

Requirements

Entrepreneurial experience.
Established relationships and a strong understanding of the Detroit/Southeast Michigan entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to identify and analyze internal program performance, the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem, and national trends to develop recommendations for continuous improvement.
Formal training and professional experience building and cultivating successful working relationships with people from diverse cultural, social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
Demonstrated experience in effective budget management.
Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
High personal integrity and the ability to inspire confidence, respect, and trust.
High energy and ability to quickly establish credibility with team members, clients, and stakeholders.
Willingness to take educated risks and challenge the status quo to bring about change when needed.

Nice To Haves

Community leaders are strongly preferred.
Professional experience in marketing/communications is preferred.
Professional experience in change management and/or dynamic work environments is strongly preferred.
Five or more years of team management experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the continued strategic development and ongoing execution of TechTown’s Small Business Services and signature programs: Coaching UP, long-term coaching, Retail Boot Camp, the Hatch Detroit contest, and The Shop pop-up series.
Lead and support a team of six, including prioritizing team members’ professional development.
Leverage small business services to drive economic impact in Detroit and Wayne County, including business openings and expansions, job creation, and founder leadership.
Identify and implement training, resources, partnerships, and strategies to better serve historically underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Collaborate with internal partners to use organizational systems and develop common processes, data collection, and analysis methods.
Demonstrate and communicate program impact using quantitative analysis and qualitative outcomes, including public, client, and alumni testimonials.
Manage multi-million-dollar grants, review grant specifications, and appropriately review and approve expenses.
Manage the program budget, analyze monthly budget-to-actual reports, and take ownership of grant requirements.
Support fundraising efforts and help cultivate existing and new funding relationships.
Represent TechTown in external engagements, including interviews, public speaking, and panels, and maintain relationships with regional entrepreneurial ecosystem partners.
Organize systems and processes, manage multiple priorities, and solve problems with a team focus.
Partner with staff to improve existing small business programs and co-design new services to meet entrepreneurs’ evolving needs.
Support weekend and evening events, trainings, and tabling opportunities.