Working Title: Small Business Development Center Director
Job Class: Economic Development Manager
Agency: Employment and Economic Development (DEED)

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 12/16/2022
• Closing Date: 01/12/2023
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Employ & Econ Development Dept / Employ & Econ Dev -Managerial
• Division/Unit: Employee Payroll / BCD Business Development
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift, 8am to 4:30pm
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes, up to 20% of the time
• Salary Range: $39.35 - $56.61 / hourly; $82,162 - $118,201 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Manager/Unrep
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive
• Telework Eligible: Yes, up to five (5) days per week
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

Minnesota’s Small Business Development Center program (SBDC) is dedicated to helping small businesses throughout Minnesota grow. With a statewide reputation for being a leader in serving entrepreneurs and small businesses, we are looking for the next energetic and collaborative director to work with our regional centers, entrepreneurs and small businesses to help catalyze and grow the state’s small business community.

You’ll advance the delivery of services and be a champion for the SBDC and small business development by working collaboratively with other small business programs and services both internal at DEED and external with our many partners. You’ll provide leadership of the SBDC network by overseeing and advocating for SBDC services to elevate the image, services and reputation of the program.

The Minnesota SBDC is hosted by the Minnesota Department of Employment of Economic Development and funded through the Small Business Administration and local partners. Integrated within the Economic Development Division, the SBDC combines the resources of federal, state and local organizations with those of the education system and private sector to meet the needs of our small business community. Minnesota hosts nine Regional Centers, more than 25 satellite centers with over 100 certified business consultants.

Ideal candidates will have a track record of serving small businesses, clear ability to develop and maintain partnerships, a strategic vision for success and a passion for leading others.

Minimum Qualifications

To receive credit for your education and experience, your resume should clearly describe how you meet each minimum and/or preferred qualification listed, including dates of employment.

A Bachelor's degree in a related field

AND

Minimum of three (3) years professional experience in a position(s) with responsibility for:

• Providing small business services
• Program administration
• Proven ability to build partnerships

Applicants that meet the above minimum qualification will be further evaluated on the following:

• Strong analytic, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Ability to deliver public presentations
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Excellent human relations skills sufficient to perform supervisory duties and effectively develop and maintain relationships with a diverse client set
• Incumbent must maintain valid driver's license, & insurance, OR have other reliable transportation

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) to Seven (7) years of professional experience meeting the minimum qualifications
• Master's degree and four (4) years professional experience meeting the minimum qualifications
• Experience with issues surrounding small business
• Experience leading and administering state and/or federal grants
• Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements

This position requires succeessful completion of the following:

Resumes of all applicants to this posting will be evaluated against the Minimum Qualifications stated above. If your skills match the required skills for this position, the department may contact you. Employee reference checks will be conducted on all finalists. This may include a review of documentation related to job performance and education. It includes contact with the applicant's current and/or former employers.

A Criminal Background Check will be conducted on all finalists for this position. A criminal conviction will not automatically remove you from consideration for employment.

When the position requires travel and the applicant drives a state owned or leased vehicle, a driver's license record check will be conducted.

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Laura Schmitz at laura.schmitz@state.mn.us

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Laura Schmitz at talent.acquisition.deed@state.mn.us.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employer, and encourages all qualified candidates to apply for job opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application and search tools, please contact Karen Lilledahl at Karen.Lilledahl@state.mn.us. Please indicate what assistance is needed.

About Employ & Econ Development Dept

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is the State of Minnesota's principal economic development agency. DEED’s mission is simple: to empower the growth of the Minnesota economy, for everyone. Our state’s economy is diverse and dynamic, enriched by creative entrepreneurs, established Fortune 500 companies, and a labor force that brings the Minnesota values of hard work and integrity to work every day. At DEED we live our values by; focusing on the customer, communicating early and often, seeking solutions, creating inclusion, encouraging new ideas, and being gracious.

Why Work for Us

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and indicate what assistance is needed.