Small Business Development Center Director

This pivotal role involves planning and marketing SBDC programs, ensuring strict compliance with all SBDC regulations, accreditation, and audit standards, and working with the SBDC Regional Director to develop strategic partnerships and fundraise throughout the region.

The SBDC Center Director will recruit, train, and manage advisors and volunteers to effectively deliver services and support program objectives, while also contributing to strategic planning aligned with both Colorado SBDC and Adams State University School of Business goals.

Specific Job Duties (Essential Functions and Responsibilities)

Vision and Strategy

• Responsible for the creation and updating of the detailed San Luis Valley SBDC Strategic Plan, in coordination with the statewide network Strategic Plan.
• Responsible for overall planning, direction, and results of the San Luis Valley SBDC, ensuring that the plans are tied to the execution and implementation of the SBDC program, ASU/SOB objectives, and the Colorado SBDC Network goals and objectives.
• Responsible for aligning the SBDC policies and procedures with federal and state regulations, the America’s SBDC (ASBDC) accreditation criteria, and the Colorado SBDC Network Lead Center.
• Be the champion of the SBDC brand in cooperation with the ASU/SOB, community partners, and the Colorado SBDC Network.
• Ensure programs and services are aligned with local small business needs.
• Regularly engage with the Colorado SBDC Network to ensure consistency and collaboration across Centers, attending Statewide meetings and National Training events.

Partnerships and Fundraising

• In partnership with the SBDC Regional Director, develop and maintain close working relationships with community stakeholders, sponsors, and partners in order to achieve the goals of the SBDC.
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with local small business and professional organizations, schools, incubators, resource partners, and other organizations serving small businesses.
• Maintain active presence/visibility with funding partners including the SBA, the State, local governmental entities, schools, and private sector supporters.
• In coordination with ASU and the SBDC Regional Director, fundraise to ensure the center is sufficiently funded to serve the community and fully drawn down federal grant funds.

Administration

• Manage staffing resources and plan the changes necessary to carry out the SBDC Mission.
• Work with Colorado SBDC Lead Center to assure SBDC compliance with applicable regulations and responsible for negotiating and implementing annual performance goals.
• Develop and manage the SBDC annual budget in coordination with ASU/SOB Director and the Colorado SBDC Lead Center.
• Manage multiple funding streams and track spending and reporting by fund source.
• Ensure all spending is in compliance with each grant and follows federal and state requirements.
• Provide quarterly reporting of financials, required written reports, and client notes/impact, meeting host and SBDC Lead Center deadlines.
• Supervise contractors, student interns, and volunteers.
• Weekly entry of all advising and training records into the Colorado SBDC customer relationship management (CRM) system.
• Data entry of all activities into the CRM for tracking and trending purposes.
• Attend host institution meetings and staff activities

Program Management

• Effectively manage and implement regional and statewide special focus programs.
• Work with other Center Directors to implement new programs at select centers statewide.
• Maintain relationships and communications with key partners.
• Recruit, train, and direct a network of local business advisors that meet the local needs of the businesses in the community.
• Meet directly with clients, when appropriate.
• Determine the needs of the local small business community and develop programs and services to meet those needs.
• Coordinate the delivery of business training programs in partnership with stakeholders which reflect the community’s small business needs.

Resource Development

• Identify and cultivate relationships with key strategic partners and sponsors.
• Develop, procure, and maintain close working relationships with private and public sponsors.
• Ensure the effective and efficient use of resources.
• Work in coordination with ASU/SOB to procure cash match funds to sustain grant funding.

Qualifications

Core Competencies

Knowledge of practical and theoretical business operation, with emphasis on small business; principles and practices related to the development of small businesses, including business and marketing plan development; market research and analysis techniques; basic marketing and business advertising techniques; and budgetary principles and practices. Strong public speaking skills and excellent written communication skills, provide accurate business advisement with measurable results benefiting the Center clientele; train, supervise and evaluate staff; exhibit leadership in management and planning; effectively plan, organize and evaluate programs; develop and effectively manage a budget; fundraising; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with business and industry representatives in diverse fields and from a variety of ethnic and economic backgrounds; perform effectively to meet deadlines and other administrative demands.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Marketing, Finance, Economics, or a closely related field.
• Strong communication skills (written and oral), interpersonal skills, and organizational skills.

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience managing or working for small business support programs, initiatives, and/or organizations.
• Experience in business advising, development, or consulting.
• Familiarity with budgeting and financial analysis.

Skills:

• Ability to write and speak articulately; strong planning and follow-through skills.
• Financial and cash flow analysis skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously.
• Self-motivated, innovative, and customer-focused.
• Ability to work effectively within a team and with culturally diverse individuals.
• Strategic planning skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), Public Administration, Economic Development, or a related field.

Experience:

• Experience with government grant programs, operations, and project management.
• Prior work with a Small Business Development Center.
• Business ownership and/or management experience for at least one year.

Skills:

• Bilingual (Spanish/English preferred).
• Proven ability to direct and motivate others.
• Fundraising experience and ability to cultivate partnerships.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $74,856-$95,448. In addition to salary, Adams State University offers a competitive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. For detailed benefits information please visit our Human Resources Benefits Page.

How to Apply

All interested candidates must submit application materials electronically through Adams State University’s Workday application portal.

No other format of application material will be accepted.

Completed applications include the following:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Unofficial transcripts (official transcripts will be necessary at the time of appointment)
• Three professional references, including phone number and email for each

For full consideration, applications should be received by 1/5/2026. Review of applications will begin immediately after this date.

The position will remain open until filled. Applications received after the priority deadline may be reviewed at the discretion of the search committee.

Questions about the position may be directed to Leslie Boutillette at lboutillette@adams.edu