"Director - SBDC"

Director - SBDC

Company: Red Rocks Community College

Job Location: Lakewood, 80228

Category: Economic and Business Development

Type: Full-Time

Salary: $92,418.00 - $101,660.00 Annually

Location: Lakewood, CO

Job Number: 00968

Division: Academic Affairs

Department: Workforce Services

Closing Date: 8/21/2025 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA Status: Exempt

To Apply
1. Resume
2. Detailed letter of interest (cover letter) addressing the job announcement.
3. Transcripts (unofficial) of undergraduate and graduate level course work.

Red Rocks Community College exemplifies extraordinary. We are dedicated to our Vision and Mission, which promote student achievement, staff empowerment, and community engagement. We live our values: Integrity, Collaboration, Learning, Inclusiveness, and Communication.

RRCC seeks applicants who understand and have first-hand experience working with diverse populations, which may include but are not limited to, historically marginalized populations such as people of color, LGBTQ+ community members, veterans, first generation graduates, and people with disabilities.

Summary of Position

The Director of the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center (SBDC) leads a high-impact team dedicated to advancing small business success and economic vitality across Denver and Jefferson Counties. Hosted by Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) and integrated into the statewide Colorado SBDC network, the Center provides business advising, affordable training, and strategic connections to entrepreneurs at all stages. The Director plays a critical role in aligning Center activities with the priorities of the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), and RRCC.

Reporting to the Dean of Workforce Services at RRCC, the Director oversees daily operations, staff supervision, contract advisor engagement, and resource management, while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. The role requires effective strategic planning, grant oversight, and data-driven decision-making to demonstrate outcomes and guide program improvement. As the public face, the Director will build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, raise operational funding, and collaborate with statewide partners to support consistent, high-quality service delivery.

This position is ideal for a mission-driven leader with a strong foundation in business development, community engagement, and public administration. The successful candidate will demonstrate agility in navigating the complexities of multi-partner collaborations, while fostering a client-focused, impact-oriented culture.

Top Three Characteristics of a Successful Candidate:

• Strategic and Operational Leadership: Demonstrates the ability to set direction, manage complex programs, and lead cross-functional teams.
• Relationship and Partnership Building: Cultivates trust and alignment among diverse stakeholders including funders, advisors, and community leaders.
• Expertise in Small Business and Economic Development: Applies deep knowledge of entrepreneurship, financing, and resource ecosystems to drive meaningful results.

This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt position funded through SBC grant support. The current funding cycle concludes at the end of each fiscal year, which runs from July 1 through June 30. Continued employment is contingent upon the renewal of grant funding. This position is exempt from the State Classified System.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of small business operations, including business planning, marketing, startup strategies, economic development, and commercial lending.
• Knowledge of loan underwriting, small business financing, and government operations at all levels (municipal, county, state, federal).
• Expertise in management, consulting, curriculum development, training, strategic planning, and performance-based management.
• Strong leadership in fostering continuous improvement and leveraging technology to enhance programs and services.
• Skilled in building positive team culture, staff development, accountability, and engagement.
• Skilled in handling sensitive situations with diplomacy and maintaining strong relationships with colleagues, clients, and community leaders.
• Effective in setting organizational direction, priorities, and implementing strategic plans and action steps.
• Ability to lead, supervise, and coach a diverse workforce.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to assess training needs and develop relevant programs for small businesses.
• Proven ability to deliver high-quality results aligned with strategic goals and customer service standards

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business, Project /Program Management or closely related from an accredited institution
• OR Bachelor's degree and two years of experience in strategic planning, business or program development,
• Education/Experience Substitution: If the combination of two years of education and the 2 years of directly related technical/professional work experience is substituted on a year for year basis, the two years of experience is in addition to any required years of experience for the position. Part time experience will be prorated.
• Five years of experience in management, including personnel, finance, and operations.
• Three years of experience in government incentive or grant programs, lending programs, economic development programs, and/or small business development.
• Experience in budgeting and/or fundraising.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in Business, Program/Project Management.
• Previous small business ownership experience.
• Experience in grant program management.

Physical & Cognitive Demands

The following are some of the physical and cognitive demands commonly associated with this position.

• Occasionally moves, positions, and transports files and office materials weighing up to 10 lbs.
• This is largely a sedentary role. This position operates in an office environment and constantly uses a computer, and routinely uses standard office equipment including phones, copiers, etc.
• The person in this position constantly communicates with internal and external constituents and students. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Cognitive demands include comparing, copying, computing, compiling, analyzing, coordinating, synthesizing, negotiating, communicating, instructing, and interpersonal skills.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement
Red Rocks Community College provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process and/or during the course of employment, please contact Jennifer Matthews, Executive Director of Human Resources, at (303) 914-6298 or Jennifer.Matthews@rrcc.edu.

Starting Salary
Starting salary range for this position is $92,418 to $101,660 annually, commensurate with education and experience. This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt position funded through SBC grant support. The current funding cycle concludes at the end of each fiscal year, which runs from July 1 through June 30. Continued employment is contingent upon the renewal of grant funding. This position is exempt from the State Classified System.