State Director, Indiana SBDC & Vice President, Small Business

Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About the Indiana Economic Development Corporation :

Bring your biggest and boldest ideas to life as an employee of the IEDC. We are a fast-paced and forward-thinking team charged with pursuing economic development opportunities for current and future Hoosiers in our state and around the world. Our culture embodies the spirit of being bold and working collaboratively to create the economy of the future.   

The IEDC is organized as a public private partnership led by the Secretary of Commerce and governed by a board chaired by the Governor of Indiana.  

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation has been recognized as one of the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Top Workplaces by Indianapolis Star.   

Role Overview:  

The Vice President of Small Business at the IEDC serves as State Director of the Indiana SBDC and is responsible for the implementation and execution of the Indiana SBDC vision and strategy. The State Director also directs and monitors the program activities and financial affairs of the Indiana SBDC statewide and is responsible for all state and federal funding and programmatic compliance issues. The Director must provide innovative leadership, creative strategies and oversee programmatic implementation at the highest levels of integrity and excellence. Integrated within the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the Indiana 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. Founded in 1985, the Indiana SBDC has 10 Regional Centers covering all 92 counties, with over 80 staff and multiple statewide initiatives and programs.

Salary:

The salary range for this position is $105,000 – $110,000, commensurate with education and work experience. 

A Day in the Life:

Vision and Strategy

• Contribute to IEDC’s overall strategy for Entrepreneurship & Small Business and manage how the Indiana SBDC can deliver as part of that strategy.
• Serves as member of IEDC leadership team
• Serve as subject matter expert for Indiana small businesses
• Serve as the chief spokesperson for Indiana SBDC initiatives.
• Responsible for overall planning, direction and results of the Indiana SBDC, ensuring that the plans are tied to the execution and implementation of the Indiana SBDC strategic plan
• Champion the roll-out and on-going promotion of the Indiana SBDC brand in cooperation with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)

Partnerships

• Develop and maintain close working relationships with statewide small business, industry, and professional organizations, universities, incubators and tech parks, and other organizations serving small businesses.
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with the Indiana SBDC Regional Hosts and Indiana SBDC Center Directors in order to achieve the goals of the Indiana SBDC.
• Maintain active presence / visibility with funding partners including the SBA, IEDC, other State partners, local governmental entities, regional hosts, and private sector supporters.

Accountability

• Supervise IEDC staff working on the SBDC program.
• Oversight for client, host and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Define and measure key performance indicators for both people and programs. Track progress and create improvement plans when necessary.
• Oversee the developing, executing and maintaining of a professional development plan for network staff along with recognition for staff performance & excellence

Resource Development

• Assess, develop and coordinate business assistance assessment instruments and statewide business assistance tools.
• Ensure proactive relationship building and resource sharing between the IEDC and regional SBDC centers.
• In concert with the IEDC, ensure the effective and efficient use of resources for the SBDC – including SBA and other funding source proposal process and allocation decisions
• Maintain, develop, and pursue additional funding opportunities to support Indiana entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Administration

• Assure Indiana SBDC compliance with applicable laws, regulations, OMB circulars, Executive Orders, and ASBDC Accreditation standards. Negotiate and implement SBA Cooperative Agreement, ensuring that national, state and local needs are addressed.
• Serve as state level liaison with the National Association of SBDC’s, and SBA national, regional and district offices.
• Assure Indiana SBDC compliance with State and IEDC requirements and regulations.
• Develop and manage the Indiana SBDC annual budget, and coordinate the approval of regional center annual budgets and plans.

Other Duties

• 10-20% travel including some out of state.
• Early morning and evening meetings may be required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the IEDC.
• Work requirements might exceed 40 hours.

What You’ll Need for Success:

Required Qualifications:  

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business or other directly related field. 

Experience:

• Two to Five years of responsible senior management experience in a private or public sector setting encompassing both business and administration. 

• Knowledge of Small Business Administration regulations as they pertain to the SBDCs. 

• Experience with issues surrounding small business. 

• Experience with state and/or federal grants 

• Experience working with or in higher education/community college and/or local, regional or state economic development. 

• Experience in the following computer systems: Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Use of the Internet 

Preferred Qualifications:  

Education:

• Master’s Degree in business, economic development or other directly related field. 

Experience:

• Two to Five years of experience working in or with an SBDC program, including business advising, managerial capacities, and/or collaborative partnerships at both regional and state levels. 

• Five to Ten years of experience in small business development, economic development, or other related work 

• Knowledge of a full range of economic development, business development and business management methods. 

• Knowledge of Indiana State regulations pertinent to small business formation and operation in Indiana. 

• Experience in identifying business and economic development needs within a community. 

• Prior administration of multi-million-dollar budgets and experience in obtaining monetary and non-monetary resources. 

• Direct experience in developing and implementing strategic plans. 

• Public speaking 

• Experience working with senior leaders in business or the community. 

Skills:  

• Executive Presence – works with other senior leaders as a peer and is seen as such. 

• Developing Senior Leadership Level Relationships – the ability to network with senior leaders in both the private and public sectors and develop long term relationships. 

• Compelling Communication – ability to effectively articulate ideas in written communications and oral communications 

• Influence – ability to persuade individuals at all levels to buy into concepts and direction. 

• Decision Making and Judgment – the ability to look at complex issues and problems, analyze the data, determine appropriate solutions and make decisions that support the strategic direction. 

• Entrepreneurship – uses insight concerning market and other trends to increase the effectiveness of the organization. 

• Results Focused – executes strategy and takes accountability for group results. 

• Business Acumen - practical application of business operations, including finance, operating control systems, human resource management, marketing, public relations. 

• Profit Conscious – manages allocated resources to attain optimum bottom line results. 

• Staff Orientation – select, develop and manage associates. 

• Administration – budget, staffing and operational man agement. 

Recruitment and Selection Compliance Note :
Before recruitment begins, the recipient organization must submit the State Director recruitment and selection plans to the SBDC State/Regional Director position to the SBA District for review. The recruitment plan should provide for a nationwide search and should not unduly restrict the eligible candidate pool. After selection of a finalist and before an employment offer, the recipient must obtain concurrence from the SBA Associate Administrator for the Office of Small Business Development Centers. SBA employees may not serve on the search committee or interview panel except as specifically permitted by applicable terms and conditions.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes: 

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 160 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 16 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 192 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

   

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at View email address on us.fitly.work .