Rural Center Director [Remote]

The Alaska Small Business Development Center (Alaska SBDC) is seeking a Rural Center Director to lead business advising and entrepreneurial support services across rural Alaska. This leadership position helps entrepreneurs launch, manage, and grow their businesses by providing guidance in business planning, financial management, access to capital, marketing, operations, and growth strategies.

The Rural Center Director oversees the Alaska SBDC Rural Center, serving more than 200 entrepreneurs and small businesses annually in over 70 communities. The position provides direct business advising, supervises Rural Business Advisors, develops training programs, and builds partnerships with Alaska Native organizations, Tribal entities, lenders, municipalities, chambers of commerce, and other resource partners to strengthen small business development throughout rural Alaska.

This is a unique opportunity to support entrepreneurs, expand economic opportunity, and make a lasting impact in communities across the state.

As the Rural Center Director, you will lead the delivery of high-quality small business advising, training, and economic development services that support entrepreneurs and small business owners across rural Alaska. You will oversee all aspects of Rural Center operations, including strategic planning, program administration, staff supervision, fiscal management, partnership development, and compliance with University, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), federal, state, and Alaska SBDC policies and reporting requirements.

In this role, you will provide expert business consulting and technical assistance in areas such as business planning, financial management, access to capital, marketing, operations, and business growth while ensuring exceptional client service. You will build and maintain collaborative relationships with Alaska Native organizations, Tribal entities, municipalities, lenders, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and other community partners to strengthen regional economic opportunities.

The Rural Center Director serves as a leader and ambassador for the Alaska SBDC, representing the organization with professionalism and sound judgment while addressing the unique opportunities and challenges facing rural Alaska businesses. You will leverage emerging technologies, including generative AI tools, to enhance business advising, operational efficiency, and client success, while educating entrepreneurs on the practical, ethical, and responsible use of digital technologies. This position requires strong leadership, communication, organizational, and project management skills, as well as the ability and willingness to travel regularly to rural Alaska communities.

To thrive in this role, you will bring hands-on experience supporting, advising, managing, or owning small businesses, along with a strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges rural Alaska entrepreneurs face throughout the business lifecycle. Success in this position requires the ability to build trusted relationships, provide strategic guidance, and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders. A deep understanding of rural Alaska communities, their unique business environment, and the economic factors that impact long-term business growth will enable you to make a meaningful impact.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and four years progressively responsible experience relevant to the program specialty, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Position Details:

This position is remote within the State of Alaska (on site/hybrid work arrangements may be made depending on location). This is a term-funded, full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and  full employee benefits package . UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the  UA Staff Salary Schedule , Grade 80, based on education and experience.

Application review will begin on July 22, 2026 . Applications received by this date will receive priority consideration; however, the recruitment will remain open until filled.

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by the Coalition of Alaska University Staff for Equity (CAUSE)-UAW. 

The University of Alaska (UA) requires employees to work on-site based on operational and business needs. Hybrid and remote work arrangements may be considered only for positions specifically designated and advertised as eligible for hybrid or remote work. Any approved arrangement will be based on the position’s duties, operational needs, and the employee’s ability to effectively perform the work remotely.

To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE .

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Patrick Sullivan at View email address on careers.alaska.edu.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This is a term-funded position reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion. 

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at View email address on careers.alaska.edu .

The  University of Alaska () is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a  policy of non-discrimination () against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

* Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA : (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online:  . Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: View phone number on careers.alaska.edu or  View email address on careers.alaska.edu / View phone number on careers.alaska.edu or  View email address on careers.alaska.edu . 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online:  . Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: View phone number on careers.alaska.edu or  View email address on careers.alaska.edu .

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online:  . Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: View phone number on careers.alaska.edu or emailing  View email address on careers.alaska.edu .