Business Engagement Manager

Under general supervision of the Chief Executive Officer of the Don Ryan Center for Innovation (DRCI), the Business Engagement Manager plans, coordinates, and implements entrepreneurial programs and business engagement initiatives that support startups, small businesses, and innovation-driven economic development. This position serves as a primary liaison between DRCI and the business community, entrepreneurs, mentors, and strategic partners, ensuring effective program delivery and strong engagement across the regional innovation ecosystem. Leads and supports innovators enrolled in DRCI STARTUP and GROWTH Programs through structured guidance and ongoing engagement. Assists entrepreneurs with strategic planning, organizational development, hiring, and operational processes. Provides guidance and coaching related to financial management, budgeting, and resource planning. Coaches and advises business owners on marketing strategies, customer development, and business development activities. Works concurrently with multiple startup and growth-stage companies at varying stages of development to support business progress and scalability. Coordinates and manages DRCI entrepreneurial programs, workshops, cohorts, and related initiatives. Supports participating entrepreneurs and small businesses by connecting them with mentors, resources, and service providers. Assists with program planning, scheduling, logistics, and on-site coordination at The HUB & COVE. Monitors program participation, outcomes, and performance metrics using CRM systems and reporting tools. Assists with evaluation and continuous improvement of programs to align with DRCI’s strategic objectives. Builds and maintains effective working relationships with entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses, mentors, investors, and ecosystem partners. Serves as a liaison between DRCI and public, private, nonprofit, and academic organizations supporting entrepreneurship and economic development. Actively recruits participants for DRCI programs and initiatives. Represents DRCI at meetings, events, and community functions as assigned. Assists with planning and execution of networking events, workshops, pitch events, and educational sessions. Collaborates with leadership and marketing support to promote programs, events, and initiatives. Assists with preparation of presentations, reports, and communications for stakeholders, partners, and funders. Provides program-related reports, data, and updates to DRCI leadership. Assists with grant reporting, data collection, and compliance activities as required. Attends meetings and provides staff support to boards, committees, or advisory groups when assigned. Performs other duties as assigned. Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, communications, public administration, economic development, or a related field; and five (5) years of experience in program coordination, business engagement, economic development, entrepreneurship support, or related work. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered. Preferred Experience working with an innovation center, incubator, accelerator, chamber of commerce, or economic development organization. Experience coordinating workshops, events, or educational programs. Familiarity with startup ecosystems and mentor-based programming. Licenses or Certifications Valid South Carolina driver’s license. Special Requirements Must pass a drug screen. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of Bluffton’s mission and goals. Knowledge of entrepreneurship, startups, and small business development. Knowledge of economic development principles and community-based programming. Skill in preparing and analyzing written or computer data. Skill in strong written and verbal communication, including public speaking and presentations. Skill in standard office software, databases, and CRM systems. Ability to plan, organize, and manage multiple programs and projects simultaneously. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal staff and external partners. Ability to collect, track, and report program data and performance metrics. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment. Ability to engender a positive and collaborative attitude. Ability to manage and coordinate multiple disparate projects, clients, timelines, and goals in a fast-paced environment. Ability to observe general surroundings and activities. The work is sedentary work and requires exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. In addition, positions in this classification typically require balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, feeling, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, discriminating among sounds, kneeling, lifting, manual dexterity, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, expressing ideas by the spoken word, shouting to be heard above ambient noise, visual acuity to analyze data/work with color or depth perception/determine accuracy or observe facilities/operate motor vehicles or equipment/inspect defects or fabricate parts, and walking. Duties are performed primarily in a moderately noisy business office with copy machines, telephones, and/or computer printers along with some light foot traffic. #J-18808-Ljbffr