SBDC State Director

About the role

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.

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, ensuring that SBDC programs align with the mission of the University of Alaska Anchorage and the broader University of Alaska system.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Proactively secure new public and private funding to expand program capacity, manage leveraged funding, and ensure cost-match requirements are met.
• 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.
• Promote innovative services and initiatives—including capital access programming, technology commercialization, and rural business development—to strengthen Alaska’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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.
• A strong background in federal and state grant writing, compliance, budgeting, and academic grant-supported environments.
• In-depth knowledge of current small business issues, technical assistance systems, and economic development strategies.
• Former business owner with years of hands-on entrepreneurial experience.
• 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.
• Skilled in strategic planning facilitation, implementation coaching, and resource allocation across complex organizations.
• Proficient in public administration, university and government processes, and institutional compliance.
• Expertise in marketing, public relations, promotion, and professional public speaking.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in relevant field and five years progressively responsible experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Significant coursework in business, policy, or public administration.
• Five years of progressively responsible senior level leadership or management experience including leadership, planning and supervision.

Skills

• Strategic planning facilitation.
• Implementation coaching.
• Resource allocation.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Full employee benefits package including retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage.

Pay

This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

Schedule

This position is located in Anchorage, Alaska. This is a term-funded, full-time, exempt staff position.