ASBTDC Regional Office Director

Closing Date:

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith is a dynamic, mid-sized public university that's redefining higher education. We're on a mission to provide transformative, hands-on learning experiences for students of all backgrounds and aspirations. Our multi-faceted approach to education offers a wealth of opportunities, with over 70 academic programs, including certificates, associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. We're committed to building a diverse community that mirrors Arkansas's rich tapestry, reflecting our dedication to serving the state's varied population while enhancing the quality of our institution.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life, and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10 percent of employee salary.

Fort Smith, Arkansas

Nestled along the Arkansas River, this vibrant city offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the Old West at the Fort Smith National Historic Site, explore the eclectic local art scene, or take a scenic stroll along the picturesque riverfront trails. With a welcoming community, diverse dining options, and a thriving downtown, Fort Smith is the ideal destination for history enthusiasts and those seeking modern amenities.

Thank you for your interest in joining our university. Below you will find details for the position including any supplementary documentation and/or questions you should review before submitting your application. For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at (479) 788-7080.

If you have a disability and need assistance with the hiring process please contact Human Resources at 479-788-7080. Applicants are required to submit a request for each position to which they have applied.

Required Education and/or Work Experience: A bachelor's degree with significant coursework in business, direct experience with business planning, marketing, and financial management, the ability to prepare, understand, and analyze financial statements, the ability to conduct outreach and provide technical information to assist clients with starting, maintaining, or managing a business, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.

Preferred Education and/or Work Experience: A master's degree in business or a related field, small business ownership experience, business consulting experience, experience preparing loan proposals for financial institutions, experience working with people of diverse backgrounds and under-resourced communities, and experience using a CRM system to track activities, productivity, and achievements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: To perform the job successfully, the following competencies are required for the essential functions of this position:

• Knowledge of small business operations and management
• Ability to assist business owners in developing financial projections
• Ability to conduct financial ratio analysis and make recommendations based on the results of the analysis
• Ability to communicate financial information to individuals and business owners without a financial background
• Experience working with government small business financing programs
• Ability to conduct and utilize market research to assist small businesses with marketing
• Ability to conduct outreach throughout assigned territory and develop relationships for client referrals
• Ability to conduct and deliver training in a classroom or virtual setting
• Excellent writing, public speaking and interpersonal skills
• Ability to conduct outreach to generate referrals of impact clients, including from diverse and rural communities
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Business Consulting

• Provide management assistance, technical advice, and problem-solving help with financial analysis and budgeting, marketing, business planning and modeling, loan proposal development; and conducting business and market research.
• Provide individual consulting assistance, including business startup advice, development of business plans, assessment of current business activities, and conducting and utilizing market research to make recommendations.
• Provide loan proposal and financial projection development assistance to new and existing small businesses on a broad range of financing projects.
• Provide budgeting advice; analyze financial statements to identify potential problems and opportunities as well as counsel businesses on achieving and maintaining business financial health.
• Prepare entrepreneurs for the process of seeking appropriate capital to build and grow their businesses.
• Assist with recruitment, intake, and ongoing communication with clients who currently own or are interested in starting a business.

Marketing Training and Outreach

• Build and maintain close professional relationships with lenders, chamber and economic development leaders, municipal and community leaders throughout assigned counties.
• Conduct outreach in targeted communities, including with individual businesses.
• Instruct workshops and classes on various business topics and recruit volunteer subject matter experts to present.
• Assist in the implementation of the ASBTDC marketing plan, including routinely providing client stories and sharing on social media platforms.

Center Management

• Responsible for financial and programmatic management of the Regional Office under the terms and conditions imposed by the SBA Cooperative Agreement, contract/memorandum of agreement with the UALR Lead Center, OMB Circulars, federal regulations, ASBTDC Policies and Procedures.
• Responsible for Regional Office budget; management of accounts including grant, match, and program income accounts; approval of quarterly financial report.
• Responsible for timely reporting, participation in all programmatic and financial reviews, accreditation review, network strategic planning.
• Responsible for achieving regional office performance deliverables and strategic initiatives, high response rates and ratings on impact surveys, client satisfaction surveys and event evaluations.
• Maintain and document client records and related work activities (counseling, training, narratives (outreach), and professional development) in a manner consistent with program guidelines and federal time and effort reporting; track program metrics and improve the program's data-collecting practices.
• May work with students in delivery of services and students and faculty regarding student projects.
• Assist in implementation of the ASBTDC marketing plan.
• Earns 32 hours of professional development annually; should have an approved professional development plan by supervisor and state director. * Performs other duties as assigned, in order to accomplish the goals and mission of the organization.
• Must maintain valid driver's license and meet state requirements for operating vehicles on state business. * Must be available to work a flexible schedule which may include nights and weekends.
• Must be available for in-state and out-of-state travel including overnight stays.
• Must adhere to University System and ASBTDC Conflict of Interest standards.
• Must maintain confidentiality.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Additional Information:

Working Relationships: The Director reports directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Economic and Workforce Development and is an active member of the Center for Economic Development. The position involves extensive contact with university employees at all levels, community leaders, and professional colleagues. Must maintain positive collaboration with regional employers in business and industry. Frequent contact with personnel from other agencies, institutions and the general public is a requirement. Recurrent contact and collaborations with unemployed or underemployed individuals to business professionals at the C-Suite level is typical.

List Employees Supervised: None.

Special Job Dimensions: The position requires some physical demands such as standing for prolonged periods, lifting, bending, pushing, and travel. Work is preformed primarily in an office setting with frequent meetings and events both on and off site. Occasional travel required for attendance at conferences and out of town events. Extended hours sometimes required. Typical office hours are 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Background Check Requirements. Financial and Criminal Background Check and Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) Che

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Sitehttps://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

This position may be subject to a pre-employment criminal background check, sex offender registry check, financial history background check, and/or drug screening. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication and/or adverse financial history alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background checks and drug screening information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, marital or parental status, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). Federal law prohibits the University from discriminating on these bases. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University's Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All applicant information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.