SBDC State Director

University of Alaska System•Anchorage, AK

32d

About The Position

The Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a vital program hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and a key member of the national SBDC network, is seeking an exceptional and visionary State Director. This is a unique executive opportunity to lead a statewide, federally-funded initiative that directly drives economic growth and resilience across all regions of Alaska, from its urban centers to its most remote communities. The Director will be the principal architect and advocate for small business success in the state, transforming the lives of entrepreneurs and contributing to UAA's aspirations of being a trusted community partner and making an impact through innovation. The SBDC delivers no-cost, confidential, one-on-one business advising, technical assistance, and training to entrepreneurs statewide. As a federally accredited center, the Alaska SBDC manages a dynamic network of regional centers and is the administrative lead for major federal initiatives, including the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funding in Alaska. The SBDC is Alaska's recognized go-to resource for support in pre-launch, growth, capital access, innovation (including AI resources), and rural business development. To learn more about the SBDC please visit https://aksbdc.org/. As the SBDC Director, you will lead the statewide vision, strategy, and operations of Alaska's SBDC network. You will serve as the Principal Investigator for all federal, state, and private grants, ensuring that SBDC programs align with the mission of the University of Alaska Anchorage and the broader University of Alaska system. In this role, you will drive the development and execution of the SBDC's strategic plan, advancing ambitious goals for client impact, capital formation, and job creation across the state. You will act as the primary liaison to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the national SBDC network, and key national partners, representing Alaska's small business community at the state, regional, and national levels. You will oversee all SBDC centers and staff statewide, ensuring consistent, high-quality advising, training, and technical assistance. This includes full responsibility for personnel management, from hiring and supervision to performance evaluation and professional development. As Director, you will maintain rigorous compliance with federal and state funding requirements, accreditation standards, and grant terms while providing comprehensive financial oversight for multi-million-dollar funding streams. You will proactively secure new public and private funding to expand program capacity, manage leveraged funding, and ensure cost-match requirements are met. You will also serve as the chief spokesperson and advocate for Alaska's small businesses, cultivating strong relationships with industry leaders, financial institutions, state agencies, and Alaska's legislative delegation. Additionally, you will promote innovative services and initiatives-including capital access programming, technology commercialization, and rural business development-to strengthen Alaska's entrepreneurial ecosystem. To thrive in this role, the ideal candidate brings proven leadership in executive management roles, including program design, financial oversight, contract administration, and HR management. They have extensive experience advising small businesses and leading teams of business advisors within the national SBDC network, combined with a strong background in federal and state grant writing, compliance, budgeting, and academic grant-supported environments. Skilled in strategic planning facilitation, implementation coaching, and resource allocation across complex organizations, the candidate possesses in-depth knowledge of current small business issues, technical assistance systems, and economic development strategies. A former business owner with years of hands-on entrepreneurial experience, they are accomplished in building and sustaining partnerships with diverse public, private, and community stakeholders, and are well-versed in Alaska's business and political landscape with a strong statewide network. The candidate has demonstrated ability to manage multi-program organizations with subcontractors and semi-autonomous teams, is proficient in public administration, university and government processes, and institutional compliance, and brings expertise in marketing, public relations, promotion, and professional public speaking.

Requirements

Proven leadership in executive management roles, including program design, financial oversight, contract administration, and HR management.
Extensive experience advising small businesses and leading teams of business advisors within the national SBDC network
Strong background in federal and state grant writing, compliance, budgeting, and academic grant-supported environments.
Skilled in strategic planning facilitation, implementation coaching, and resource allocation across complex organizations
In-depth knowledge of current small business issues, technical assistance systems, and economic development strategies.
Accomplished in building and sustaining partnerships with diverse public, private, and community stakeholders
Well-versed in Alaska's business and political landscape with a strong statewide network.
Demonstrated ability to manage multi-program organizations with subcontractors and semi-autonomous teams
Proficient in public administration, university and government processes, and institutional compliance
Expertise in marketing, public relations, promotion, and professional public speaking.
Master's degree in relevant field and five years progressively responsible experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

Nice To Haves

Significant coursework in business, policy, or public administration.
5+ years of progressively responsible senior level leadership or management experience including leadership, planning and supervision.
A former business owner with years of hands-on entrepreneurial experience

Responsibilities

Lead the statewide vision, strategy, and operations of Alaska's SBDC network.
Serve as the Principal Investigator for all federal, state, and private grants
Drive the development and execution of the SBDC's strategic plan
Act as the primary liaison to the U.S. Small Business Administration, the national SBDC network, and key national partners
Oversee all SBDC centers and staff statewide
Maintain rigorous compliance with federal and state funding requirements, accreditation standards, and grant terms
Proactively secure new public and private funding to expand program capacity
Serve as the chief spokesperson and advocate for Alaska's small businesses
Promote innovative services and initiatives

Benefits

UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage.

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