Small Business Development Center - Director

Position Summary:

The San Luis Valley (SLV) SBDC works with local, state, and national partners to support the growth and resilience of small businesses in Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache Counties. Under the direction of the Director, the SLV SBDC staff and advisors provide free and confidential business advising, no- or low-cost business training and events, and connections to additional resources. The SLV SBDC delivers tailored solutions to small business owners and entrepreneurs that support and nurture growth.

The SLV SBDC is hosted by Adams State University (ASU) and the ASU School of Business in Alamosa and is a part of the Colorado SBDC, a network that consists of the Lead Center and 14 Service Centers that support small business owners across all 64 counties. The Colorado SBDC is a partnership of the State of Colorado, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), the United States Small Business Administration (SBA), host institutions across the state, America’s SBDC, and community stakeholders.

Adams State University's School of Business (ASU/SOB) is seeking a dynamic, creative, self-motivated, community-oriented leader and experienced SBDC Director to lead the San Luis Valley Small Business Development Center. Reporting to the Director of the School of Business, the SBDC Director is responsible for the overall leadership, programming, and operations of the SBDC.

This pivotal role involves developing strategic partnerships, planning and marketing SBDC programs, and ensuring strict compliance with all SBDC regulations, accreditation, and audit standards. The Director will also be crucial in securing funding to sustain and expand high-quality SBDC programs and services.

The SBDC 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. 

• 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 

• 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, fundraise to ensure the center is sufficiently funded to ensure the required federal funding match and fully drawn down federal grant funds, as well as serve the community’s needs. 

• Pursue grant funding from external sources [state,federal].

Administration 

• Manage staffing resources and plan the changes necessary to carry out the SBDC Mission. 

• Work with State SBDC Director 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 follow