State Director, Indiana SBDC & Vice President, Small Business

Serves as State Director of the Indiana SBDC and is responsible for the implementation and execution of the Indiana SBDC vision and strategy. Directs and monitors the program activities and financial affairs of the Indiana SBDC statewide and ensures compliance with all state and federal funding and programmatic requirements. Provides innovative leadership, creative strategies, and oversees programmatic implementation at the highest levels of integrity and excellence.

About the Role

The Indiana SBDC combines the resources of federal, state, and local organizations with those of the education system and private sector to meet the needs of Indiana’s small business community. Founded in 1985, the Indiana SBDC has 10 Regional Centers covering all 92 counties, with over 80 staff and multiple statewide initiatives and programs.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to IEDC’s overall strategy for Entrepreneurship & Small Business and manage how the Indiana SBDC can deliver as part of that strategy.
• Serve as a member of the IEDC leadership team and as the chief spokesperson for Indiana SBDC initiatives.
• Provide subject matter expertise for Indiana small businesses.
• Oversee overall planning, direction, and results of the Indiana SBDC, ensuring alignment with the strategic plan.
• Champion the roll-out and ongoing promotion of the Indiana SBDC brand in cooperation with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC).
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with statewide small business, industry, and professional organizations, universities, incubators, tech parks, and other organizations serving small businesses.
• Maintain active visibility with funding partners including the SBA, IEDC, other state partners, local governmental entities, regional hosts, and private sector supporters.
• Supervise IEDC staff working on the SBDC program and define key performance indicators for both people and programs.
• Oversee client, host, and stakeholder satisfaction and create improvement plans as necessary.
• Develop and execute a professional development plan for network staff, including recognition for performance and excellence.
• Assess, develop, and coordinate business assistance assessment instruments and statewide business assistance tools.
• Ensure proactive relationship building and resource sharing between the IEDC and regional SBDC centers.
• Manage the effective and efficient use of resources for the SBDC, including SBA and other funding source proposal processes and allocation decisions.
• Maintain, develop, and pursue additional funding opportunities to support Indiana entrepreneurs and small businesses.
• Ensure Indiana SBDC compliance with applicable laws, regulations, OMB circulars, Executive Orders, and ASBDC Accreditation standards.
• Negotiate and implement the SBA Cooperative Agreement, addressing national, state, and local needs.
• Serve as state-level liaison with the National Association of SBDCs and SBA national, regional, and district offices.
• Ensure Indiana SBDC compliance with state and IEDC requirements and regulations.
• Develop and manage the Indiana SBDC annual budget and coordinate the approval of regional center annual budgets and plans.
• Travel 10-20%, including some out-of-state, and attend early morning or evening meetings as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the IEDC, with work requirements potentially exceeding 40 hours per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in business or other directly related field.
• Two to five years of responsible senior management experience in a private or public sector setting encompassing both business and administration.
• Knowledge of Small Business Administration regulations as they pertain to SBDCs.
• Experience with issues surrounding small business.
• Experience with state and/or federal grants.
• Experience working with or in higher education, community college, and/or local, regional, or state economic development.
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and internet use.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in business, economic development, or other directly related field.
• Two to five years of experience working in or with an SBDC program, including business advising, managerial capacities, and/or collaborative partnerships at both regional and state levels.
• Five to ten years of experience in small business development, economic development, or other related work.
• Knowledge of a full range of economic development, business development, and business management methods.
• Knowledge of Indiana State regulations pertinent to small business formation and operation.
• Experience in identifying business and economic development needs within a community.
• Prior administration of multi-million-dollar budgets and experience in obtaining monetary and non-monetary resources.
• Direct experience in developing and implementing strategic plans.
• Public speaking experience.
• Experience working with senior leaders in business or the community.

Skills

• Executive Presence – works with other senior leaders as a peer and is seen as such.
• Developing Senior Leadership Level Relationships – ability to network with senior leaders in both the private and public sectors and develop long-term relationships.
• Compelling Communication – ability to effectively articulate ideas in written and oral communications.
• Influence – ability to persuade individuals at all levels to buy into concepts and direction.
• Decision Making and Judgment – ability to analyze complex issues, determine appropriate solutions, and make decisions supporting strategic direction.
• Entrepreneurship – uses insight concerning market and other trends to increase organizational effectiveness.
• Results Focused – executes strategy and takes accountability for group results.
• Business Acumen – practical application of business operations, including finance, operating control systems, human resource management, marketing, and public relations.
• Profit Conscious – manages allocated resources to attain optimum bottom-line results.
• Staff Orientation – selects, develops, and manages associates.
• Administration – budget, staffing, and operational management.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Benefits

• Three medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans.
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards.
• Health savings account, including bi-weekly state contribution.
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match.
• Two fully-funded pension plan options.
• Robust, comprehensive program of leave policies, including:
  • 160 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers.
  • Up to 16 hours of paid community service leave.
  • Combined 192 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off.
  • 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years.
• Education Reimbursement Program.
• Group life insurance.
• Referral Bonus program.
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits.
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Free parking for most positions.
• Free LinkedIn Learning access.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $105,000 – $110,000, commensurate with education and work experience.