Career Opportunities
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Feb 14
SBDC Director
Job Summary
Position: Director, Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC
Reports To: Executive Director, Champaign County Economic Development Corporation
Status: Full-Time
Classification: Exempt
Location: Champaign, IL
About the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation:
The Champaign County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) is a public-private partnership dedicated to fostering a cooperative, county-wide approach to economic development. CCEDC works to improve the economic well-being of all Champaign County through efforts that include job creation and retention, tax base enhancement, small business development, and the promotion of quality of life. CCEDC brings together community partners to support economic growth by aligning interests through productive relationships, open dialogue, and advocacy efforts.
CCEDC invites applications for the position of SBDC Director to lead the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Champaign County EDC.
About the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC:
The CCEDC is the host organization to the SBDC, a program of the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO), which includes an International Trade Center (ITC). The SBDC provides information, confidential business advising, training, programs, and other resources for startups, existing small businesses, and those who wish to start or sell a business. These services are provided to hundreds of individuals each year. As a direct report to the CCEDC Executive Director, the SBDC Director is responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of the SBDC, including client advisory services, required reporting to DCEO, and supervision of the International Trade Center. The SBDC Director will represent the SBDC program at the local and regional levels within the economic development and business communities, and will collaborate closely with stakeholders throughout Champaign County and central Illinois.
Required qualifications:
· Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university/college and at least two years of experience in small business management, economic development, consulting, and/or other management experience
· Excellent written and verbal communication, with demonstrated strength in public speaking and professional presentations
· Must be a self-starter who can work with little supervision
· Ability to organize, budget, plan, and implement multiple projects and deadlines
· Must be able to respond quickly and accurately to changing project conditions in a fast-paced environment
· Ability to troubleshoot effectively and take initiative to seek information, ask questions, and find solutions proactively
· Must have strong customer service skills
· Experience collaborating with multiple organizations
· Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and professionalism, while upholding the reputation and value of the Illinois SBDC Network and CCEDC
Job responsibilities – what you’ll do:
· Plan, coordinate, and manage programs, services, and activities consistent with the goals and objectives of the SBDC
· Provide direct business advising and training to clients, including, but not limited to, business formation, financial analysis, needs assessments, how to access capital, developing a business plan, strategic planning, and more
· Prepare reports to achieve goals and objectives in compliance with the terms and conditions of applicable agreements and CCEDC policies and procedures
· Develop and present training (workshops and webinars) on a variety of topics, including how to start a business in Illinois, writing a business plan, how to register with SAM and GATA, and programs of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), DCEO, and local units of government
· Perform outreach and maintain collaborative relationships with local financial institutions, relevant service providers, the local business community, and local business associations, as well as local, state, and federal agencies
· Supervise, train, and evaluate the performance of assigned staff and independent contractors serving as SBDC business advisors
· Provide leadership in the community around small business development and help to build, sustain, and expand partnerships
· Monitor performance tracking and reporting efforts by creating and maintaining accurate client data and activity records in Neoserra, the CMS system, ensuring compliance with DCEO requirements and alignment with grant goals for measurable outcomes
· Work in close coordination with the Illinois SBDC Network, including leadership and other SBDCs throughout the state
· Work in close coordination with local units of government and other organizations to manage small business programs
· Obtain the Certified Business Development Advisor credential within the first 45 days of employment
· Maintain professional standards as a Small Business Advisor by participating in professional development activities
· Champion the SBDC brand in cooperation with the Illinois SBDC Network and ASBDC network
· Travel as needed for meetings and engagement with clients and partners and/or to attend events and conferences (you must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license)
· In coordination with the CCEDC Executive Director, communicate with officials of federal, state or local government agencies as well as community stakeholders, CCEDC investors, and business leaders
· Work with the CCEDC Board of Directors and staff to ensure the SBDC is responsive to the target sectors and priority areas of the Champaign County economy
· Perform other duties as required to support the overall goals of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC
Skills we are looking for:
· Creativity and resourcefulness in developing and implementing projects
· Ability to work in a fast-paced, highly independent environment and juggle multiple ongoing projects, responsibilities, and relationships
· Strong attention to detail, with a commitment to quality and accuracy
· Effective at removing barriers and establishing trust – can identify challenges and provide solutions
· Strong time management skills and dedication to providing prompt responses and follow-up to clients
· Passion for entrepreneurship and continuous learning, with a drive to develop programs and resources
· Ability to work effectively as part of a management team
· Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and familiarity with tools such as Calendly and Zoom
Nice to have:
· Local community and/or regional knowledge
· Prior experience owning and/or managing a small business
· Prior experience working for an SBDC program, a non-profit, and/or a grant program
· Prior direct business consulting, training, or teaching experience
Things to know:
· Although the position is primarily 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday – Friday, early morning or evening work may be required
· Duties are performed indoors in an office environment; some remote work is available
This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions, and this job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties required in this position. Management reserves the right to revise the job or require that other or different tasks be performed or assigned.
The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC is funded through a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, with additional support provided by EDC of Decatur and Macon County and the Midwest Inland Port. While the continuation of this position is foreseen for years to come, all SBDC positions are contingent on continued grant funding.
Compensation is commensurate with education, experience, and qualifications. CCEDC offers a competitive benefits package. For full consideration, please submit a letter of interest, resume, and at least three professional references to carly@champaigncountyedc.org. Please note “SBDC Director Application” in the subject line.
Review of applications will begin immediately. The position will remain open until filled.
Champaign County Economic Development Corporation is an equal opportunity employer.
Jan 22
Small Business Advisor- Spanish/Bilingual Preferred
Job Summary
JOB LOCATION
15151 E Alameda Pkwy Aurora, Colorado 80012-1555
City of Aurora, Colorado
It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we’re growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
Why Work for Aurora?
- Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
- Diverse community
- Competitive total compensation package
- Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
- Light rail station minutes away
- On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
- Access to innovation workspaces
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Position: Small Business Advisor – Spanish/Bilingual Preferred
Note: Candidate interviews for this position will begin early 2026.
Anticipated Hiring Salary: $65,603 – $102,505/annually
Deadline to apply: January 22, 2026 (This position is subject to close once a qualified pool of applications has been obtained)
OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT
Plans, develops, and coordinates professional support and assistance programs for small and emerging businesses to promote business and employment opportunities.
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provides direct advising assistance to existing and start-up businesses.
- Assists in preparing business plans and developing financing arrangements; designs, develops, and promotes small business retention and attraction programs.
- Helps create, develop, and execute training courses throughout the year
- Serves as the City’s and SBDC’s liaison to small businesses to establish ongoing communication.
- Network with community and regional economic development-related organizations on small business issues.
- Assists in developing and accomplishing operational priorities, goals, and objectives.
- Presents monthly updates and creates quarterly reports that address small business trends, training needs, utilization of available resources, and the current lending environment.
- Occasional travel (less than 10 times/year) using personal vehicle required for training sessions within Arapahoe and Douglas counties.
- Maintains detailed and accurate client notes, economic impact collection, and event participation in the SBDC Network customer database.
- Performs additional duties as assigned.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Education:
- Performs additional duties as assigned.
Experience:
- At least 5 years of experience as a small business owner or operator, management of economic development programs, and/or small business development programs.
- Proven ability to advise both startups and established small businesses on planning, growth strategies, operations, and financial sustainability.
- Valued experience includes experience in business acquisitions or exits (buying/selling a business), and/or integrating AI and emerging technologies into small business operations.
- An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
- Spanish language skills are highly preferred.
Licenses and Certifications Required:
- This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g., vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with training and facilitation
- Spanish language skills are highly preferred.
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of the principles, practices, and operating requirements of running a small business.
- Economic development, business plan design, and development.
- Principles of commercial lending, small business loans and financing, and municipal government operations.
- Knowledge of small business financials, which includes profit and loss statements, cash flow statements, Balance sheets, basics of bookkeeping, licensing, and basic tax guidelines.
Abilities:
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, citizens, and elected officials.
- Handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Establish and fulfill goals and objectives.
- Ability to assess small business training needs and develop programs to meet needs.
- Deliver effective training workshops for small businesses.
- Skilled at analyzing business financials to recommend guidance with process improvement, sales growth, funding opportunities, and future financial projections.
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, training, and advising skills.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Physical Demands:
- Sedentary physical work requiring the ability to lift a maximum of 10 pounds.
- Occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing.
- Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens.
- Vision for data analysis and reading written reports and documents.
Work Environment:
- Works in a clean, comfortable environment.
- This position may require working 1–2 days per month at a remote office location, such as Castle Rock or Englewood.
- Some evening and weekend hours will be required to facilitate training sessions and/or attend networking events.
Equipment Used:
- Uses standard office equipment, including a personal computer.
- Uses many unique software programs to complete required duties.
For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check.
Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.
Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.
We don't have any open positions right now, but we're always looking for talented individuals to join our team.
Check back soon for updates, or connect with your local SBDC to learn about opportunities in your area.
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SBDCs interested in posting careers on this webpage should log in to the members area of our website and look for a link “Advertise a Career” under the Highlight section.
If you need access to the Members Area, email marketing@americassbdc.org.
Career postings take 2 business days to post.