Senior Manager - Government Contracting & Supplier Readiness

About the role

Dallas College is seeking a strategic leader to support the mission and strategic goals of the institution by leading initiatives in government contracting, supplier readiness, military-connected entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial partnership initiatives within the Small Business Launch Pad ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Expanding external partnerships, strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystem coordination, and positioning Dallas College as a regional connector within government contracting and supplier readiness ecosystems.
• Leading the strategic development and implementation of government contracting and supplier readiness initiatives aligned with the goals of the Small Business Launch Pad ecosystem.
• Supporting the development of scalable pathways that help entrepreneurs and small businesses better prepare for government contracting, subcontracting, and supplier opportunities.
• Maintaining strategic relationships with chambers, contractor networks, supplier diversity organizations, workforce partners, military-connected organizations, and entrepreneurial ecosystem stakeholders.
• Cooking workshops, training programs, entrepreneurial support activities, and ecosystem engagement initiatives related to procurement readiness, subcontractor development, and small business growth.
• Serving as a resource for military-connected entrepreneurship programming and pathways serving veterans, military-connected individuals, spouses, and dependents pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities.
• Aiding in the development of intentional prime/subcontractor relationship pipelines and supplier ecosystem partnerships that strengthen regional small business engagement opportunities.
• Coordinating referrals and connections into Dallas College ecosystem resources, including workforce programs, continuing education, entrepreneurship initiatives, SBDC, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, and related support services.
• Supporting grant development, sponsorship opportunities, partnership cultivation, and strategic initiatives aligned with government contracting, supplier readiness, entrepreneurship, workforce development, and economic mobility priorities.
• Supporting ecosystem visibility, storytelling, reporting, data collection, and strategic communication efforts related to initiative outcomes and partnership impact.
• Collaborating across academic, workforce, continuing education, and community partnership teams to align initiatives with institutional and regional workforce priorities.
• May supervise staff, contractors, interns, student assistants, or project-based personnel as initiatives and programming expand.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in business, entrepreneurship, public administration, economic development, workforce development, education, or a related field.
• Four (4) or more years of professional experience in government contracting, supplier diversity, entrepreneurship, workforce development, economic development, small business support, procurement readiness, partnership development, or related strategic initiative leadership.
• Demonstrated experience building partnerships and working collaboratively with business, nonprofit, government, educational, workforce, entrepreneurial, or community stakeholders.
• Experience coordinating programs, initiatives, workshops, partnerships, or strategic projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Current and valid driver’s license required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting veteran or military-connected entrepreneurs and small business owners preferred.
• Experience with government contracting ecosystems, subcontractor development, procurement readiness, supplier diversity initiatives, or prime/subcontractor relationship-building preferred.
• Experience working with chambers, construction ecosystems, entrepreneurial support organizations, economic development entities, or workforce organizations preferred.
• Experience with grant development, sponsorship cultivation, external funding initiatives, or strategic partnership development preferred.
• Supervisory, team leadership, or project leadership experience preferred.
• Bilingual or multilingual preferred.

Competencies

• Accountable
• Communicates Effectively
• Solution Oriented
• Leads Strategically
• Collaborates
• Empowers Teams
• Adaptable
• Ensures Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work Conditions

Normal physical job functions performed within a standard office environment. Position requires regular and predictable in-person attendance, with flexibility to visit multiple campuses and centers regularly. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to individuals with physical challenges to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

About Us

Since 1965, Dallas College, formerly Dallas County Community College District, has served more than three (3) million students. Comprising seven campuses located around the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we are one of the largest community college systems in the state of Texas. We strive to be a leader in the community college space, placing students at the center of everything we do. Dallas College is committed to cultivating an environment of opportunity and belonging for all students and employees. We recognize that the Dallas College workforce, and the diverse talent that stems from it, is directly linked to our success. We are part of an equal opportunity system that provides education and employment opportunities without discrimination on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, veteran status, pregnancy or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, Dallas College will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees’ religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.