Associate Director, East Colorado SBDC (Southeast)

Full Job Description

The Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) fosters a positive business climate and encourages quality economic development through the support of local and regional economic development activities across the state.

A comprehensive slate of programs within OEDIT’s divisions work together to offer economic development services for all Colorado businesses – new and expanding, traditional and emerging, small and large.

The service offerings include retention programs to ensure continued competitiveness of Colorado’s economic base and job training to keep Colorado’s workforce the best in the nation.

As a U. S.

Small Business Administration (SBA) Resource Partner, the Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) empowers entrepreneurs and business owners to successfully navigate their full business lifecycle—from launch through growth to exit—by delivering business advising and other technical assistance (e.g., training) as well as connecting them to community resources.

The Colorado SBDC consists of a network of 14 Service Centers across the state hosted by institutes of higher education, city and county governments, economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, and incubators.

The East Colorado SBDC is one of the 14 service centers and supports 20 counties in the eastern half of the state divided into Northeast and Southeast regions:

• Northeast Region: Adams (partial), Arapahoe (partial), Cheyenne, Elbert, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, and Yuma.

• Southeast Region: Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero, and Prowers

Requirements

This fully remote position offers full-time employment as an exempt, at-will State of Colorado Employee. This position is funded by a federal grant and is contingent upon the renewal of annual grant funding.

The Associate Director (AD) will oversee daily operations to support the Southeast region’s SBDC services, and will also support the Colorado SBDC Regional Director with strategic planning and community and stakeholder engagement.

Daily operations include delivering advising, training, and resource connection services to small business clients while ensuring compliance with the Colorado SBDC Network’s mission, vision, and funder requirements.

This is done through a combination of providing direct support, working with Colorado SBDC staff, and managing contracted advisors and facilitators.

The AD will also work with the Colorado SBDC Regional Director and the Colorado SBDC Lead Center to provide accounting support, procurement support, compliance monitoring, grant reporting, financial reviews (audits), budgeting and forecasting, fiscal management, and training of SBDC service center staff to advance the success of the Colorado SBDC Network.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Operations

• Monitor and assess the performance of the Southeast Region, ensuring compliance with the Colorado SBDC Network grants, mission, and vision

• Implement and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and policies consistently across the region, updating SOPs as necessary

• Collaborate with the Regional Director to ensure smooth day-to-day operations and propose innovative solutions to enhance organizational efficiency.

• Maintain appropriate client records & ensure client confidentiality, in accordance with SBDC requirements

• Support the Regional Director in regular economic impact and financial reimbursement reporting

• Support the implementation of technology solutions to optimize operational effectiveness

• Manage pool of contracted advisors, including recruitment, vetting, onboarding, contract management, processing invoices, engagement, and offboarding.

• Collaborate with the Regional Director to recruit, hire, and onboard new staff members, as necessary. Identify potential new contract advisors to serve the needs of the territory.

Small Business Advising and Training

• Provide expert 1:1 advice and guidance to small business clients, addressing their specific challenges and opportunities

  • This may involve conducting thorough assessments of their businesses, identifying areas for improvement, and developing customized action plans to help them achieve their goals

• Organize, host, and facilitate relevant and engaging training sessions, workshops, and seminars for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs

• Work closely with the SBDC service center and network to ensure seamless service delivery and collaboration

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

• Attend and actively participate in community meetings, events, and forums related to small business development

• Foster relationships with local organizations, chambers of commerce, government agencies, and other stakeholders to promote SBDC services and initiatives

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including staff, board members, donors, partners, vendors, and clients

• Represent the organization at meetings, conferences, and events, effectively communicating the mission and objectives of the organization

• Support the Regional Director in fundraising efforts to secure financial support for SBDC activities and programs

• Identify potential sponsors, partners, and grant opportunities

• Collaborate with other SBDC centers, local economic development organizations, and university partners to leverage resources and enhance program effectiveness

Lamar Community College (LCC) Innovate & Make Space Management

• Manage and oversee the successful relaunch of the LCC Innovate & Make Space, including but not limited to: Create a strategic plan for the space; Manage machine maintenance and repairs; Track and manage inventory of raw materials; Provide oversight of student work studies; Manage student, staff, faculty, and community access

• Class & Training Management: Includes locating and contracting qualified trainers, scheduling and advertisement of classes, and overseeing access to the space in relation to classes.

• Marketing & Sales: Includes managing marketing campaigns for the Innovate & Make Space and controlling access through memberships and day passes.

Disclaimer: This posting provides a high-level job definition. It is not intended to provide a comprehensive or exclusive list of job duties. As such, job duties and/or responsibilities within the context of this job posting may change at the discretion of the employee’s direct supervisor.

Qualifications

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities preferred.

• Experience in providing technical assistance to small business owners, with previous SBDC experience preferred

• Experience managing projects from concept to delivery and meeting fixed deadlines, with previous project management experience preferred.

• Experience organizing and facilitating training sessions, workshops, or events.

• Experience managing numerous internal and external stakeholders to meet performance metrics and deadlines, with previous grant management experience preferred.

• Ability to effectively work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; prioritize and support multiple projects and/or work tasks/initiatives; and apply effective problem-solving skills.

• Ability to effectively communicate with all stakeholders (e.g., staff members, clients, vendors) and provide a high-level of customer service as well as apply conflict resolution.

• Must be detail oriented and possess exceptional organizational skills, with demonstrated time management and analytical abilities.

• Ability to accurately and efficiently complete required documentation, status update reports, and grant reports (some with fixed deadlines).

• Familiarity with government procurement and contracting processes preferred.

• Familiarity with an online learning management system (LMS) is a plus.

• Must be honest, trustworthy, and demonstrate a high degree of integrity and ethical behavior.

• Must be a self-motivated team player who is a creative and strategic thinker, with previous change management experience preferred.

• Ability to represent the Colorado SBDC and OEDIT in presentations and at events.

• Outstanding customer service skills, including maintaining a positive attitude, actively listening to needs, and calmly responding to requests

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, able to prioritize multiple initiatives

• Must be a creative and strategic thinker with effective oral and written communication

• Ability to do detailed work

• Ability to work at identified office space, with the flexibility to travel across the region and state as needed

Competencies

• Communication: Is understood by and understands others; effectively persuades and influences others; clearly articulates key points when writing and speaking; active listener

• Teamwork: Builds and supports effective teams; encourages a spirit of participation and belonging; enhances group cohesiveness by emphasizing team objectives and reinforcing cooperation

• Problem Solving and Adaptability: Identifies and defines a problem; gathers and analyzes information; determines potential solutions and decides on course of action(s); accountable for and learns from decisions; responds to new information and/or situation and adapts to updated priorities and/or requirements.

• Relationship Management: Builds collaborative relationships and effectively manages relationships within OEDIT, with the SBDC network (includes SBDC Service Center Directors and staff statewide), and with external community partners

Education / Experience

• 3+ years of experience in small business ownership, supporting small businesses, and/or working within an SBDC

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field preferred (e.g., business). Related occupational experience or a combination of education and relevant experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

• Experience with training, operations, project management, change management, process improvement, and/or establishing internal controls

• Proven experience in business advising, preferably in a small business or entrepreneurial environment.

• Demonstrated acumen and excitement to work at the convergence of public sectors at the local, state, and federal levels supporting private sector businesses

• Experience with government procurement and/or contract management is preferred

Additional Information

Salary Range: $68,000 - $75,000 Annually

This position is considered non-classified, which means the position is not part of the Colorado State Personnel System.

Therefore, the individual appointed to this position is considered at-will, and is not covered by the State Personnel Rules or the State Classification System.

However, this position does come with the same benefits (retirement, insurance, etc.) as every other State employee, and with the same opportunities, pride and passion that comes with working for the great State of Colorado.

Even though employment is at-will, non-classified positions have protections against discrimination and retaliation in state and federal employment laws.

“At-will” employment means that either the employee or the State may terminate the employment relationship at any time for any reason or no reason, with or without notice or cause, as long as no federal or state law is violated.

A wide salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work.

While all offers are compliant with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, there is no guarantee an offer will be at the top of the posted range based on the salary analysis.

Benefits

The State of Colorado/Office of the Governor offers generous benefits to full-time employees including:

• Annual leave accrued at 13.33 hours per month

• Sick leave accrued at 6.66 hours a month

• 11 paid holidays per year

• Medical plans - choice of Cigna or Kaiser; several plan options (including High Deductible Health Plan with HSA); most plans offered with significant state contribution towards premium

• Dental and vision plans

• Flexible spending accounts

• State-paid life insurance policy of $50,000

• Choice of 2 retirement plans (defined contribution or defined benefit) with generous state contribution

• Optional 401(k) and 457 plans for additional retirement savings

• State-paid short-term disability coverage

• Additional optional life and disability plans

• Access to the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program

• Membership opportunity with the Credit Union of Colorado

• RTD (transit) EcoPass

• Training and professional development

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits, please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them.

Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

To learn more about the “State of Colorado For All”, visit our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion website.

ADAAA Accommodations

The Office of the Governor is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.

As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Staffing Coordinator, the Director of Human Resources: jennifer.salvatore@state.co.us

Application

Your application must provide sufficient detail about your background and experience to allow the screening panel to properly assess your experience in the required elements, including your experience and achievements.

Due to the large volume of resumes we receive, we do not acknowledge receipt of each application and are unable to give status updates.

If a strong match is found between your qualifications and the requirements of the position, a member of the recruiting staff will contact you to further discuss the career opportunity.