Missouri Southern State University Hiring for Director of the SBDC and The Center for Entrepreneurship at Joplin, MO Full Time

The Director of SBDC and The Center for Entrepreneurship is responsible for coordinating the resources of the federal, state, and local governments with the resources of the University and the private sector to promote growth, expansion, innovation, increased productivity and management improvement in small businesses and prospective small businesses in southwest Missouri and to stimulate economic development to provide living wage job opportunities. The Director, SBDC, provides consultation services to small businesses on a wide range of topics including marketing, retailing, advertising, budgeting, business planning, loan proposals, and personnel and develops and coordinates training seminars and classes designed to meet specific needs of small business owners and managers.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

Director – Center for Entrepreneurship (20% of position):

• In coordination and cooperation with Entrepreneurship faculty, the Department Chair for Data Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Human Resource Management, International Business, Management, and Marketing, and the Dean of the College of Business, Communication, and Technology, the Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship will, as requested or as is appropriate:
• Support Entrepreneurship faculty in university and community integration.
• Identify and establish meaningful relationships with external organizations, businesses, and foundations.
• Assist with the development of new initiatives to maximize the Plaster School of Business’ entrepreneurial footprint.
• Represent MSSU and amplify the value and impact of the Center for Entrepreneurship in the local and regional community and with relevant professional associations and partner or potential partner organizations.
• Forge meaningful connections with alumni and donors and/or potential donors.
• Assists with fundraising activities.
• Work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff in the design, coordination, and implementation of initiatives focused on facilitating student engagement with the entrepreneurship community and fostering entrepreneurial mindsets.
• Engage in outreach and partnership with the local and regional entrepreneurial ecosystem through the delivery of existing and creation of new programming, activities, and initiatives.
• Serve as the advisor and/or co-advisor for the Entrepreneurship Club.

Director – SBDC Duties (80% of position):

Enables the SBDC to meet its commitment to provide quality business and economic development assistance to the small business community of southwest Missouri by coordinating the resources of the federal, state, and local governments with the resources of the University and the private sector to promote growth, expansion, innovation, increased productivity, and management improvement in small businesses and prospective businesses and to stimulate economic development to provide living wage job opportunities.

Ensures that the University submits a viable proposal for continuation of consultative services offered through the SBDC by determining (in coordination with the funding source) the annual program objectives; developing a grant proposal which describes all proposed activities, staffing needs and associated funding requirements; preparing related forms and related documents; and submitting the formal grant proposal to the appropriate agency as directed.

Provides an effective consultation service to small businesses by establishing cooperative relationships with business and industry leaders, hiring qualified consultants, establishing curriculum and program objectives, evaluating the programs, and conducting follow-up sessions with the management of participating small businesses to determine if the stated objectives have been met.

Ensures the ability of the SBDC to meet grant requirements regarding consultation services and training seminars provided to small businesses by developing an annual schedule of consultation and training activities; monitoring progress toward meeting established objectives; and adjusting the schedule (as necessary) to ensure that specific objectives, in terms of Small Business Administration (SBA) grant priorities, are met.

Facilitates the accomplishment of Small Business Administration annual theme objectives, (e.g., international trade, women in business, minorities in business, veterans served) by analyzing the needs of small businesses in the region, selecting the theme(s) most appropriate to the region based upon the analysis, developing strategies to achieve theme objectives, coordinating government, community, industry, business and education resources to support those strategies, encouraging small business in southwest Missouri to participate, supervising programmed activities, and evaluating program outcomes.

Achieves economic impact goals as established by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Missouri Small Business Development Centers (MO SBDC) administrative office related to capitalization, businesses started, unique clients served and jobs supported or other goals as defined by SBA and MO SBDC. Other impact goals may be related to business sales increase, jobs created, jobs retained, number of trainings, number of training attendees, number of clients counseled or other priorities established by the funders.

Manages the daily operation of the SBDC by establishing activity priorities, goals and objectives, determining resource allocation, assigning activity responsibilities, developing policies and procedures regarding operational performances, and evaluating progress toward achievement of established goals and objectives.

Works in coordination with the Center for Entrepreneurship to further the mission and objectives of the program through delivery of services.

Develops training programs to meet specific needs of small businesses by surveying small businesses to determine their training and professional development needs, establishing relevant curriculum and program objectives, evaluating the training programs; and conducting sessions with participating small business leaders to determine if stated needs were met.

Manages funds by planning and developing the SBDC budget with includes federal funding and University matching funds, exercising authority regarding expenditure of Center funds, and providing reports of activities which justify expenditures to federal, state, and local officials.

Develops an effective and competent staff of professional and clerical personnel by hiring qualified candidates, providing appropriate training, supervising activities and evaluating performances.

Facilitates a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.

Maintains professional competence and expands the knowledge base and ability of the SBDC to service the business community through involvement in professional organizations and attendance at professional development conferences, workshops and seminars at the state and regional level.

Presents SBDC information to targeted groups such as but not limited to local chambers, banks, business associations and service clubs to generate awareness of and referrals for counseling/training programs.

Coordinates with MO SBDC Centers across the state to ensure participation on state objectives that are led by only one Center are supported.

Contributes to the overall success of the Robert W Plaster School of Business by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education, Experience, and Licenses

Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from an accredited four-year college or university is preferred (other Master’s degrees will be evaluated on an individual basis),

Experience: At least four years of professional full-time experience is required in progressively responsible positions that include experience in management, administration, business consultation and seminar coordination. Experience in marketing and promotions is required. Three years of current experience in consulting growth-oriented business enterprises is preferred.

Economic Development Finance Professional certification preferred or have the ability to obtain.

Transformational Coaching Credential from ACTP (Accredited Coach Training Program) from International Coach Federation or have ability to obtain.

Familiarity with the small business sector and economic development community in the SBDC assigned region.

Valid driver’s license and the ability to meet insurance requirements for driving University owned, leased, or rented vehicles. Requires the ability to drive a personal vehicle or University rental to serve the counties in the region assigned to the SBDC Center.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Requires the ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage those of other cultures and backgrounds
• Requires the ability to accept, receive, and/or collect payments.
• Requires the ability to prepare and/or process purchase orders.
• Requires the ability to be accountable for inventory/property management.
• Requires the ability to manage or administer grant funds.
• Requires the ability to make recommendations that impact the budget.
• Requires the ability to manage the budget within assigned unit/division.
• Requires the ability to manage the budget within assigned department.
• Requires the ability to use small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
• Requires the ability to use computers for data entry.
• Requires the ability to use computers for word processing and/or accounting purposes.
• Requires the ability to use highly technical computer applications.
• Requires the ability to travel to SBDC clients, conferences, training, and to give community presentations.
• Requires the ability to supervise staff, including motivation, delegation of duties, evaluation, etc.
• Requires the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and meet deadlines
• Requires leadership skills, including organization, meeting facilitation, and/or project leadership
• Requires the ability to maintain confidentiality

Abilities of a successful Director:Interpersonal Skills Finance/Accounting: Debt & Equity Finance Listening Skills Sales and Marketing Small Business Experience Technology Project Management Experience Organizational Skills Willingness to Learn Collaboration Economic Development Utilization of spreadsheets Financing/Lending Multi-tasking Strong analytical and innovative skills Safeguarding program confidentiality Strong verbal skills Strong written communication skills Public speaking abilities Presentation software abilities Excellent interpersonal skills Organizational management skills Problem solving skills Word processing skills Flexibility Resiliency Operate with minimal guidance Planning skills Budgeting skillsPhysical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel including the use of a computer keyboard; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear including the use of a telephone. The employee is frequently required to walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

NOTICE: The above job profile does not include all essential and nonessential duties of this job. All employees with disabilities are encouraged to contact Human Resources to review and discuss the essential and nonessential functions of the job. An employee with a disability may evaluate the job in greater detail to determine if she/he can safely perform the essential function of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.