State Director, Indiana SBDC & Vice President, Small Business

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) is a fast-paced, forward-thinking team charged with pursuing economic development opportunities for current and future Hoosiers in Indiana and around the world. Our culture embodies boldness and collaboration to create the economy of the future. Organized as a public-private partnership led by the Secretary of Commerce and governed by a board chaired by the Governor of Indiana, IEDC has been recognized as a Top Workplace by the Indianapolis Star for 2023, 2024, and 2025.

About the role

The Vice President of Small Business serves as the State Director of the Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and is responsible for implementing and executing the Indiana SBDC vision and strategy. This role directs and monitors program activities and financial affairs statewide, ensuring compliance with state and federal funding and programmatic requirements. The Director provides innovative leadership, creative strategies, and oversees programmatic implementation with the highest levels of integrity and excellence.

The Indiana SBDC, integrated within IEDC, combines resources from federal, state, and local organizations, the education system, and the 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.

Responsibilities

• Vision and Strategy
  • Contribute to IEDC’s overall strategy for Entrepreneurship & Small Business and manage how the Indiana SBDC delivers as part of that strategy.
  • Serve as a member of the IEDC leadership team.
  • Act as the subject matter expert for Indiana small businesses.
  • Serve as the chief spokesperson for Indiana SBDC initiatives.
  • 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 IEDC.
• Partnerships
  • Develop and maintain close working relationships with statewide small business, industry, and professional organizations, universities, incubators, tech parks, and other organizations serving small businesses.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with Indiana SBDC Regional Hosts and Center Directors to achieve SBDC goals.
  • Maintain an active presence with funding partners, including the SBA, IEDC, other state partners, local governmental entities, regional hosts, and private sector supporters.
• Accountability
  • Supervise IEDC staff working on the SBDC program.
  • Oversee client, host, and stakeholder satisfaction.
  • Define and measure key performance indicators for people and programs, tracking progress and creating improvement plans as needed.
  • Oversee the development, execution, and maintenance of a professional development plan for network staff, including recognition for performance and excellence.
• Resource Development
  • Assess, develop, and coordinate business assistance assessment instruments and statewide tools.
  • Ensure proactive relationship building and resource sharing between IEDC and regional SBDC centers.
  • Work with IEDC to ensure effective and efficient use of resources, 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.
• Administration
  • 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 the 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 budgets and plans.
• Other Duties
  • 10-20% travel, including some out-of-state.
  • Early morning and evening meetings may be required.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by IEDC; work requirements may exceed 40 hours per week.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in business or a directly related field.
• Experience:
  • 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 colleges, and/or local, regional, or state economic development.
• Computer Systems: Proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and internet use.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s degree in business, economic development, or a directly related field.
• Experience:
  • Two to five years of experience working in or with an SBDC program, including business advising, managerial capacities, and/or collaborative partnerships at regional and state levels.
  • Five to ten years of experience in small business development, economic development, or 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 identifying business and economic development needs within a community.
  • Prior administration of multi-million-dollar budgets and experience obtaining monetary and non-monetary resources.
  • Direct experience 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.
• Developing Senior Leadership Level Relationships – ability to network with senior leaders in both 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.

Pay

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

Benefits

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees, including:

• 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 a 401(k) plan) with employer match.
• Two fully-funded pension plan options.
• A 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.