Washington State SBDC Director

Washington State University•Spokane Valley, WA

19h

About The Position

The Washington State SBDC Director serves as the lead executive and chief administrator for the Washington Small Business Development Center Network, housed within the Office of Research. The Director provides statewide leadership and strategic direction and is responsible for operational performance, fiscal stewardship, and compliance with requirements of the U.S. Small Business Administration, funding partners, Washington State University, and applicable federal and state regulations. The Director is accountable for achieving economic impact outcomes through high-quality business advising, training, capital access, technology commercialization support, and other services that advance small business growth, job creation, and job retention throughout Washington State. The role directs, coordinates, and manages a multi-location statewide business assistance network and maintains effective relationships with public and private stakeholders essential to program operations. Regular travel throughout Washington State and occasional national travel are required to represent the network and attend meetings, conferences, training programs, accreditation activities, and engage with service centers, funding partners, and stakeholders. This is a full-time, permanent, 12-month position based at the Spokane Lead Center. It is overtime exempt. The monthly salary range is $8,338.26–$13,319.56, with placement based on the candidate’s experience, education, skills, and abilities. A background check is required. The position is not eligible for work visa sponsorship.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and six years of progressively responsible relevant experience, including at least three years of managerial experience. Relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis; a master’s degree in a related field may substitute for up to one year of required experience.
Demonstrated experience delivering business development, management, and/or technical services to the public or small businesses.
Experience preparing and managing budgets.
Demonstrated sensitivity to and desire to promote diversity.
Ability to work effectively with a broad constituency.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Must have, or be able to obtain by the time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet applicable university and departmental driving standards.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly throughout Washington State and occasionally nationally.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field.
Experience in a Small Business Development Center.
Experience building sustained partnerships, coalition building, and/or stakeholder communication.
Experience managing professional employees.
Experience obtaining extramural funding and/or fundraising.
Experience implementing programs through subcontractors.

Responsibilities

Provide statewide leadership and strategic direction for the Washington SBDC Network.
Oversee network operational performance, fiscal stewardship, and regulatory and funding compliance.
Achieve economic impact outcomes through business advising, training, capital access, technology commercialization support, and other services.
Direct, coordinate, and manage a multi-location statewide business assistance network.
Maintain effective relationships with public and private stakeholders.
Represent the Washington SBDC Network through regular travel across Washington State and occasional national travel, including attending meetings, conferences, training programs, and accreditation activities and engaging with service centers, funding partners, and stakeholders.
Perform program development (40%), program outreach (35%), administration (20%), and other duties (5%).