Business Development Center Director

Department Name 81045:

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Work Location Lexington, KY

Grade Level 00

Type of Position Staff

Full-Time

See position qualifications/posting details

See position qualifications/posting details

None

Sitting for long periods of time. Travel.

Monday-Friday; 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM: and some evenings/weekends occasionally.

The Kentucky Small Business Development Center ( SBDC ) State Director is a dynamic statewide leadership role focused on advancing entrepreneurship, strengthening small businesses, and driving economic opportunity across the Commonwealth. The State Director provides executive leadership for the Kentucky SBDC network and translates its mission, vision, and strategy into impactful programs, services, and annual priorities. This position oversees network operations, program performance, and financial affairs;

ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, federal grant requirements, national accreditation standards, and cooperative agreement terms; and serves as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s principal point of contact for the network. The State Director sets a clear vision for excellence, leads and develops a talented statewide team, stewards personnel and financial resources, expands and strengthens strategic partnerships and funding opportunities, and continually enhances the delivery of high-quality services to Kentucky’s entrepreneurs and small businesses.

The successful candidate will foster a culture of integrity, accountability, collaboration, transparency, and high performance while positioning the Kentucky SBDC as a trusted and innovative resource for businesses throughout the Commonwealth.

Provides executive leadership, oversight, and operational direction for the statewide Small Business Development Center ( SBDC ) in accordance with federal SBDC requirements and the cooperative agreement. The State Director dedicates not less than 75 percent of their time to the supervision and control of SBDC operations and is vested with the authority necessary to direct personnel, budgets, and expenditures. Leads the strategic and operational administration of the SBDC , working collaboratively with the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Cooperative Extension, other University units, public and private-sector partners, and the statewide SBDC service network to strengthen small-business development, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity throughout Kentucky.

At the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, you’ll find a community that values collaboration, growth, and recognition. Benefits of joining our team include:

• Access to a staff development fund for continued learning and skill building
• Dedicated staff recognition programs that celebrate your contributions
• A shared commitment to making the University of Kentucky the University of, for, and with Kentucky

Join us in shaping the future of teaching and learning—where innovation meets impact.

For additional information about the SBDC please . To find out more about Martin-Gatton CAFE and how the college supports the mission of this being the University of, for, and with Kentucky, .

• Demonstrated experience managing complex programs, multiple work units or a statewide network, including personnel, budgets, performance, and compliance responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships, negotiate agreements, secure resources, communicate with varied stakeholders, and exercise…