Business Development Center Director
Job Title
Business Development Center Director
Requisition Number
RE56098
Working Title
State Director
Department Name
81045:Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Work Location
Lexington, KY
Grade Level
00
Salary Range
Type of Position
Staff
Position Time Status
Full-Time
Required Education
See position qualifications/posting details
Click here for more information about equivalencies:
https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies
Required Related Experience
See position qualifications/posting details
Required License/Registration/Certification
None
Physical Requirements
Sitting for long periods of time. Travel.
Shift
Monday-Friday; 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM: and some evenings/weekends occasionally.
Job Summary
The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) State Director is a dynamic statewide leadership role focused on advancing entrepreneurship, strengthening small businesses, and driving economic opportunity across the Commonwealth. The State Director provides executive leadership for the Kentucky SBDC network and translates its mission, vision, and strategy into impactful programs, services, and annual priorities. This position oversees network operations, program performance, and financial affairs; ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, federal grant requirements, national accreditation standards, and cooperative agreement terms; and serves as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s principal point of contact for the network. The State Director sets a clear vision for excellence, leads and develops a talented statewide team, stewards personnel and financial resources, expands and strengthens strategic partnerships and funding opportunities, and continually enhances the delivery of high-quality services to Kentucky’s entrepreneurs and small businesses. The successful candidate will foster a culture of integrity, accountability, collaboration, transparency, and high performance while positioning the Kentucky SBDC as a trusted and innovative resource for businesses throughout the Commonwealth.
About the Role
Provides executive leadership, oversight, and operational direction for the statewide Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in accordance with federal SBDC requirements and the cooperative agreement. The State Director dedicates not less than 75 percent of their time to the supervision and control of SBDC operations and is vested with the authority necessary to direct personnel, budgets, and expenditures. Leads the strategic and operational administration of the SBDC, working collaboratively with the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Cooperative Extension, other University units, public and private-sector partners, and the statewide SBDC service network to strengthen small-business development, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity throughout Kentucky.
Why Join Us
At the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, you’ll find a community that values collaboration, growth, and recognition. Benefits of joining our team include:
- Exceptional benefits package.
- A formal mentoring program to support your professional development
- Access to a staff development fund for continued learning and skill building
- Dedicated staff recognition programs that celebrate your contributions
- A shared commitment to making the University of Kentucky the University of, for, and with Kentucky
Join us in shaping the future of teaching and learning—where innovation meets impact.
For additional information about the SBDC please click here. To find out more about Martin-Gatton CAFE and how the college supports the mission of this being the University of, for, and with Kentucky, Click Here.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
- Demonstrated experience managing complex programs, multiple work units or a statewide network, including personnel, budgets, performance, and compliance responsibilities.
- Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships, negotiate agreements, secure resources, communicate with varied stakeholders, and exercise executive-level independent judgment.
- Proficiency with common productivity, financial, reporting, and management information systems.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
Yes
Preferred Education/Experience
- Knowledge of the SBDC program, SBA cooperative agreements, federal grant administration, 2 CFR part 200, and SBDC accreditation standards.
- Experience leading a statewide, multi-site, university-hosted, public-service, economic-development, or entrepreneurship-support organization.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising, grant writing, financial stewardship, organizational improvement, and measurable economic-impact performance.
- Experience collaborating with universities, Cooperative Extension, government agencies, chambers of commerce, regional economic-development organizations, and private-sector partners.
- Nine years of relevant management, administrative, operational, grant-funded program, economic-development, or small-business development experience
Deadline to Apply
11/12/2026
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.