SBDC Program Coordinator

Overview

Join to apply for the SBDC Program Coordinator role at City of Roanoke, VA
. The City of Roanoke and the Greater Roanoke & New River Valley Small Business Development Center is seeking a dynamic, organized, community-minded individual to serve as Program Coordinator. This position plays a central role in connecting entrepreneurs and small business owners to resources and programming, providing administrative and outreach support, and ensuring smooth delivery and measurement of our services.

• Serve as the first point of contact for the public by phone, email, and in person, providing basic introductory information about SBDC services.
• Greet visitors, route inquiries to appropriate staff, schedule appointments, and maintain a professional front-facing presence.
• Assist with planning, promotion, registration, and execution of workshops, events, and programs.
• Develop, maintain, and distribute promotional materials (flyers, newsletters, social media posts, web content).
• Manage calendars for programs and staff, track registration, maintain attendance lists, and follow up as needed.
• Coordinate with external speakers, community partners, and referral agencies for events and programming.
• Conduct outreach to community partners, referral sources, and potential clients; represent the SBDC at local business or networking events.
• Perform research and information gathering on regional small business resources, industry trends, and economic data.
• Maintain and update the SBDC's resource library, website, CRM, and databases with accurate, timely information.
• Assist in compiling performance metrics, preparing reports, and helping monitor progress toward goals.
• Provide general administrative support—preparing correspondence, processing invoices, supply orders, and tracking program budgets.
• Collaborate with SBDC staff on marketing campaigns, partner initiatives, and continuous improvement of SBDC services.

• Minimum three (3) years of experience in program coordination, event planning, outreach/marketing, or related administrative roles.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to engage with business owners, community partners, and internal team members professionally and empathetically.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Canva, Zoom, and social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, and You Tube).
• Experience with email marketing tools (e.g., Constant Contact), website platforms (Squarespace, Word Press, or similar), and CRM systems preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, track, and analyze program data; strong attention to detail.
• Self-starter who is comfortable and motivated to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Organized and takes the initiative to continually improve operations.
• High level of professionalism, reliability, discretion, and customer service orientation.
• Desires to continuously learn and develop professionally.
• Ability to travel for events, meetings, or outreach (reliable transportation required).

• Associate's degree in business administration, public administration, communications, marketing, or related field required.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and relevant professional experience will be considered.

• Familiarity with small business development, entrepreneurship, or startup ecosystem in the Roanoke / NRV region.
• Experience working under funding or grant-driven programs and familiarity with performance metrics or outcome-based reporting.
• Background in community engagement, economic development, or local government relations.
• Comfort with public speaking, delivering short presentations, or facilitating small group sessions.
• Creative mindset for marketing and promotional strategies in a lean environment.

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret journals, financial reports, and documents. Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints orally and in writing. Ability to communicate effectively with management, public groups or employees of organization.

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral form.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms;

and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and sit. The…