Associate Director, East Bay SBDC

Position Summary

The Associate Director is a senior leadership role within the East Bay Small Business Development Center (East Bay SBDC), combining hands-on business advising with operational management. Reporting to the Area Director, this position cultivates strategic partnerships, supports advisor success, and advances the center’s growth, visibility, and overall impact.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Direct Business Advising

• Build and maintain an active portfolio of entrepreneurs and small business clients.
• Provide one-on-one advising and technical assistance in areas including startup planning, business strategy, financial analysis, capital readiness, growth planning, operational improvement, and resource navigation.
• Accurately document client activity, outcomes, and success metrics in the NeoSerra database.

• Advisor Management & Center Performance

• Foster a collaborative, high-performing advising team of both staff and independent contractors, focused on client success, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Support advisor onboarding, coaching, and professional development initiatives.
• Serve as a resource for advisors on high-impact and complex client engagements, as needed.
• Promote service quality standards and consistent client experience across the advising team.
• Monitor center performance and support initiatives that improve client engagement, advising utilization, capital infusion, and economic impact outcomes.

• Partnerships, Community Engagement & Outreach

• Develop and maintain relationships with lenders, chambers of commerce, municipalities, economic development organizations, educational institutions, and community stakeholders to increase awareness of SBDC services and generate client referrals.
• Identify and pursue collaborations, sponsorships, funding sources, and strategies to expand service delivery.
• Conduct outreach, networking, presentations, and community engagement activities that expand awareness of the East Bay SBDC and its services.
• Represent the East Bay SBDC at community meetings, workshops, conferences, networking events, and stakeholder forums.

• Regional Coordination

• Assist the Area Director in implementing annual work plans and operational priorities.
• Participate in strategic planning efforts, regional meetings, and special projects.
• Collaborate with NorCal SBDC leadership, regional programs, and peer centers to support regional initiatives and organizational priorities.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of entrepreneurship, small business growth, business lending, and the challenges facing businesses in diverse and rapidly evolving markets.

• Demonstrated success generating new business opportunities, cultivating referral networks, and expanding visibility within the community.

• Ability to communicate effectively and build rapport with diverse audiences, including business owners, executives, elected officials, community leaders, and other senior-level stakeholders.

• Proven ability to develop and maintain strategic relationships with lenders, economic development organizations, community partners, and referral organizations.

• Strong public speaking and presentation skills, with experience representing an organization at community events, meetings, and stakeholder engagements.

• Experience leading, coaching, and developing professional staff, advisors, consultants, or cross-functional teams.

• Strong organizational, project management, and performance management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and drive results.

• Proficiency using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, CRM systems, and other business productivity tools.

• Ability to prepare clear, concise, and professional reports, presentations, correspondence, and other business communications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Robust knowledge of and experience using Artificial Intelligence (AI), with the ability to help others integrate AI into their work.

• Experience supervising professional staff, managing advisor teams, or leading programs with measurable performance objectives.

• Background in business advising, consulting, lending, entrepreneurial support, or technical assistance for small businesses.

• Demonstrated success building partnerships with local governments, chambers of commerce, lenders, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, or economic development agencies.

• Experience working within an SBDC network or as a small business owner.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Economic Development, Management, Public Administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Five+ years of progressively responsible management of staff and/or contractor teams.

• Strong working knowledge of the economic development landscape in Contra Costa and Alameda counties.

• Ability and willingness to work at evening and weekend events, as needed.

• Ability and willingness to travel throughout Northern California, including occasional overnight travel.