Center Director for Business Expansion and Commerce Engagement

Center Director for Business Expansion and Commerce Engagement

Center Director for Business Expansion and Commerce Engagement

Salary $85,000

SUMMARY:

The core responsibility of the Senior Business Development Specialist (SBDS) is to represent the interests of the Oklahoma SBDC within the state’s economic development ecosystem and seek out opportunities for the Oklahoma SBDC to provide more services to companies exploring options of growth, expansion, or relocation in Oklahoma. The SBDS will provide individual small business management advising, technical services, and group training to existing small businesses owners and to new entrepreneurs in the areas of business management, financial analysis, business disruption, marketing strategy and other related business topics.

Other responsibilities include identifying problem areas in a small business, developing outreach assistance programs, and developing relationships with state economic development professionals and others providing support services to small businesses.

This position will be located at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce in Oklahoma City. Will report to the State Director. Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, and availability of funds.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Advances, through strategic engagement, the long‑term objectives identified as essential to strengthen the Oklahoma SBDC.
• Serves as a high‑level liaison to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and other economic development entities across the state.
• Develops and maintains a thorough understanding of the Oklahoma SBDC network’s capacities, sufficient to recognize a match between a company’s needs and the business advising offered within the network, including the various specialties.
• Promotes the Oklahoma SBDC as a resource for the state and for companies doing business or seeking to do business in Oklahoma. This includes encouraging the use of the Oklahoma SBDC services once a match is identified between a company’s needs and SBDC’s capabilities,
• Provides business counseling, which includes business plans for strategic planning and financing, marketing, accounting, finance, production, facilities, etc. for existing and prospective businesses.
• Performs one‑on‑one confidential client consultation and works on attaining individual consulting goals set forth by the State Director. Client consulting can take place face‑to‑face, via email or technological means, or by phone.
• Works collaboratively to connect companies with the appropriate subject matter expert adviser or to bring together ad‑hoc adviser teams to satisfy the potentially multiple and complex needs if required by a particular situation.
• Develops and delivers training in workshops and seminars designed to enhance one‑on‑one consulting efforts.
• Works with the Assistant State Director, Training Coordinator and State Director in outreach of consultation and training for small communities across the state and determines the most effective use of resources.
• Takes leadership role with state‑wide network team to develop knowledge around the programs and services offered at Oklahoma Department of Commerce to support the small business community.
• Attends meetings, hearings, discussions, or other gatherings taking place within state government, as requested by the state director when it is appropriate for the Oklahoma SBDC to be present or represented and updates the Oklahoma SBDC leadership team following events.
• Prepares required reports for all counseling cases, training activities, monthly department reports, and all other paperwork required for program documentation.
• Provides input and strategic perspective to senior leadership as requested.
• Actively partners with the State Office to develop and implement promotional and advocacy activities to create awareness of SBDC and its services throughout the business and financial community. This may include public speaking to groups regarding the Oklahoma SBDC and its services. Such marketing efforts align with Oklahoma SBDC branding guidelines.
• Actively seeks out opportunities to coordinate with various departments…