Small Business & Entrepreneurship Program and Events Manager

The Urban League of Greater Madison is seeking a mission‑driven, experienced, and hands‑on Small Business & Entrepreneurship Program and Events Manager to join our Business Hub Accelerator Program team. As part of the Urban League, you will contribute to an organization with a strong local and national legacy advancing economic opportunity, community development, and civil rights.

This role supports a broad array of current and aspiring business owners—from microbusinesses and Main Street food and retail operations to growth‑oriented, tech‑enabled ventures—through business coaching, classes, partnerships, well‑executed events, and practical technical assistance focused on financial and operational sustainability. The Program and Events Manager will work directly with business owners to strengthen their financial understanding, operational practices, and long‑term success, while coordinating workshops, networking events, and programmatic activities connected to the Black Business Hub.

The ideal candidate brings strong business and financial acumen, is comfortable coaching entrepreneurs at different stages, and can translate complex business concepts into practical guidance. This position requires excellent organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills and involves working flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.

The Urban League of Greater Madison offers an excellent benefits package , including generous paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays), family health insurance plans (85% of premium covered for individual or family plans), a flexible spending plan, life and disability insurance, and optional dental and vision coverage.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. However, to ensure consideration, apply by Friday, April 10 . 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Business Development Support (approximately 75%)

Recruitment:  Proactively scout and onboard existing small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs; manage the full recruitment lifecycle to ensure a diverse and inclusive pipeline of businesses affiliated with the Urban League Hub.

Business Coaching:  Provide one-on-one strategic coaching and consultation with entrepreneurs on financial management, operational decision‑making, sustainability, market expansion, and long‑term business success.

Program Development & Implementation: Design and execute one-off and cohort style business development programming focused on all aspects of launching, managing and growing a successful business including financial management, marketing, legal, HR, operational frameworks, and more.

Access to Capital:  Develop and support pathways to diverse capital streams; identify and help create opportunities for under‑served small business owners to secure funding through banks and credit unions, CDFIs, nonprofit small business development organizations, grant programs, and other financing opportunities.

Partnerships & Collaboration (External): Manage a robust network of partnerships with for-profit financial institutions, small business development agencies, chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, and other community partners that seek to support the Urban League’s mission to help incubate, sustain, and grow underserved small business owners and emerging entrepreneurs.

Partnerships & Collaboration (Internal):  Collaborate with the Hub Food Entrepreneurship Manager and other Urban League staff to ensure strong internal collaboration both within Hub programming and across the full portfolio of Urban League programs.

Market Intelligence: Lead ongoing analysis of the regional business ecosystem to identify emerging trends, positioning the Hub as a first-mover in supporting niche industries.

Community Building: Organize and facilitate networking, training, and other special events that foster a sense of community and peer support among the program participants and the Black Business Hub tenants and members. Help ensure that entrepreneurs take full advantage of the resources available at the Black Business Hub and throughout Madison’s business development ecosystem.

2. Events Assistance (approximately 25%)

Strategic Programming: Design and facilitate high-level professional events, including pitch events, networking mixers, and other summits and convenings.

Operational Oversight: Coordinate Hub-hosted events, managing vendors and partners, and quality control to ensure a premium experience for all stakeholders.

Community Building & Network Cultivation: Leverage relationships between Hub tenants, regional business leaders, and institutional partners to foster a high-performance peer community.

3. Other

Impact Metrics & Reporting: Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation of participant growth metrics (ROI, revenue, and job creation) for reporting to the Director, executive leadership, and funding partners.

Strategic Initiatives: Lead special projects and community engagement activities as directed by the Hub leadership to advance the organization’s mission.

Urban League Community Engagement: All employees are expected to participate in Urban League’s community engagement and civic outreach activities as well as other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong commitment to the mission of the Urban League of Greater Madison and to racial equity work.
• Paid experience in managing or delivering business development programs or services to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
• Bachelor's degree in business, entrepreneurship, or a related field, or equivalent work experience preferred. 
• Strong event management, coordination and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to develop strategic plans and tactical actions that achieve desired results.
• Be goal oriented, problem solver and solution driven.
• Strong time management and organizational skills and the ability to balance multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Strong customer service focus and ability to set and maintain standards that deliver outstanding service.
• Knowledge of financial resources, including grants and loans for small businesses.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, event planning tools, and other relevant software and platforms.

Direct Supervisor : Director, Urban League Black Business Hub

Full Time Equivalent:  1.0, Exempt

Work Hours:  Requiring frequent night and weekend hours for classes, special events, and other activities. 

Location: This is an in-person position based at 2352 S. Park Street, Madison, Wisconsin