Director of the Small Business Development Center


Position Title & Department:
 Director of the Small Business Development Center; Knauss School of Business

Posting #
5397
Department Description:
The Knauss School of Business at USD embraces a stewardship approach to business education. Stewardship requires businesses to protect and care for society in pursuit of a greater good.  The Knauss School community of faculty, staff, students and graduates, embrace stewardship by applying values-driven, free-enterprise skills to improve businesses, industries, and the lives of people in our community and around the world.  We provide academically rigorous, relevant and values-based education and research.  Degree programs in the Knauss School of Business are AACSB accredited, with the undergraduate and MBA programs being highly ranked both domestically and internationally.  www.sandiego.edu/business/about/

University Description:
The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity's urgent challenges.
Detailed Description:

This is a full-time temporary, benefit-based position with an anticipated end date of December 31, 2026. This position is funded by an SBA grant and will be renewed annually upon continued grant funding.
The Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and fiscal management of all SBDC activities. The SBDC, housed within the Knauss School of Business, serves entrepreneurs and small businesses across San Diego and Imperial Counties through consulting, training, and access to resources that foster innovation and growth. While administratively located in the Knauss Center for Business Education, the SBDC's programs and partnerships support all USD schools, departments, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader community.

The Director serves on the Knauss School Leadership Team and collaborates closely with the San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network Lead Office at Southwestern Community College District, as well as other network centers, university stakeholders, and external partners to advance the mission of supporting small business development, entrepreneurship, and economic impact in the region.

This position is responsible for ensuring full compliance with federal, state, and university grant policies and procedures, including the oversight of multiple funding sources, financial management, performance tracking, and timely submission of required reports. The Director develops and manages budgets, ensures proper expenditure of funds, and maintains accountability for programmatic and fiscal performance standards outlined in grant agreements.

Additionally, the Director leads the SBDC's fundraising and grant development efforts to expand program capacity and sustainability, fosters relationships across the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, and represents USD and the SBDC at regional and national levels. This position requires active engagement in the business and entrepreneurial community, with occasional evening, weekend, and travel commitments.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Manages and oversees all aspects of SBDC operations by:

• Create relationships locally, regionally, and nationally with fundraising sources such as angel investors, angel funds, and venture capital funds
• Hiring and managing staff and contractors to deliver services and support the functions of the SBDC.
• Managing client intake, assignments, and progress toward key performance indicators.
• Overseeing and coordinating marketing and social media activities.
• Developing programmatic offerings based on needs analysis of existing clients and target clients in San Diego and Imperial Counties.
• Developing and executing continuous improvement and accountability measures to
  ensure offerings continue to evolve to serve the changing needs of innovation-based
  businesses.
• Overseeing and strategically managing all SBDC funding sources, including grants and
  restricted funds, to ensure compliance with all terms, allowable costs, budget restrictions, and reporting deadlines.
• Coordinating with the Office of Sponsored Programs and the Knauss Finance and
  Administration Team to ensure alignment with University and grant policies as they
  relate to independent contractors, external agreements, and expenditure policies.
• Overseeing monthly financial reviews and ensuring timely processing, reconciliation, and submission of accurate financial reports.
• Provides high-level business advising and technical assistance to a portfolio of small
  business clients, applying specialized knowledge in business planning, financing, and
  growth strategy to support client success and contribute to performance metrics.
• Develops, implements, and monitors data collection systems to evaluate program
  effectiveness, measure client outcomes, and inform strategic decision-making.
• Uses assessment results to improve service delivery and ensure continuous program
  improvement.
• Creating and managing the budget, approving expenditures, and ensuring reimbursements and overall financial compliance with both SBDC and USD policies.
• Conducts periodic reviews of grant-funded activities to verify adherence to grant scopes
  of work, match requirements, and performance metrics, taking corrective action as
  needed.
• Serves as a member of the Knauss School Leadership Team

Leads the SBDC's grant writing and fundraising efforts by:

• Actively searching for grants and developing grant proposals in collaboration with the
  Office of Sponsored Programs to increase the number of clients served and the quality of services provided.
• Working with the Knauss Leadership Team and University Advancement to pursue
  additional funds through corporations, organizations, and individual donors.
• Sourcing grants and writing grant proposals to increase the number of clients served and the quality of services provided.
• Prepares detailed grant budgets, justifications, and narratives in compliance with federal, state, and local funding agency requirements.
• Coordinates post-award administration of all grants, ensuring accurate financial tracking, documentation of matching funds, and timely submission of required programmatic and fiscal reports.
• In coordination, as needed, with the Assistant Dean of Marketing and Recruitment,
  designs and implements community outreach strategies to expand awareness of SBDC
  services, strengthen partnerships with economic development agencies, chambers of
  commerce, and community-based organizations, and ensure accessibility of programs
  across all demographic and geographic segments.

Coordinates with the SDIV SBDC Network and internal (USD) and external
(partner organizations, funders) stakeholders by:

• Collaborating with the SDI SBDC Lead Office and regional Center Directors to
  coordinate services, enhance resources, and ensure compliance with SBDC and funder
  guidelines.
• Participates in statewide and regional SBDC compliance reviews and ensures that all
  required grant documentation is maintained in auditable form.
• Working with the Knauss School of Business Finance and Administration team on topics
  related to finance and human resources
• Represents the SBDC at local, regional, and statewide events; delivers presentations to
  community, business, and government groups to promote SBDC programs and outcomes; serves as a public spokesperson on behalf of USD and the SBDC as appropriate.

Manages reporting requirements and represents USD and the SBDC by:

• Overseeing the preparation and submission of all required programmatic and fiscal
  reports to funders and stakeholders, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness in
  accordance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines.
• Coordinate with the Knauss School Finance and Administration Team and Grants
  Accounting in finalizing financial reports as required by grantors
• Maintains historical records and documentation to support all grant-related submissions
  and audits.
• Representing the SBDC and USD with the media as needed.

Other duties as assigned.

Background check:  Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes. 
Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in related field from an accredited college or university
• 5 years experience leading innovation and entrepreneurship programs

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in related field from an accredited college or university
• 5+ years leading innovation and entrepreneurship programs within a higher-education setting

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of innovation and entrepreneurship programs and demonstrated
  ability to manage operations and human resources of a center.
• Experience serving diverse and underrepresented small business communities
• Experience working with community-based economic development or technical
  assistance programs
• Experience working with the Small Business Development Center network
• Experience raising private investment capital from angel investors and venture capital
  funds
• Experience in business start-ups
• Experience managing teams of senior professionals in a business environment
• Experience with non-dilutive funding sources and programs including SBIR/STTR
• Professional network and ability to access resources.
• Cooperates effectively as a team member with internal departments and external partners.
• Assumes responsibility, deals effectively with problems, and exercises independent
  judgement when making decisions.
• Familiarity with digital marketing and utilization of technology to advance
  organizational goals.
• Presenting materials and training personnel
• Clearly articulating policies and procedures
• Using independent judgment to take appropriate action on inquiries
• Entrepreneurial mindset, self-motivated, and efficient
• Establishing relationships with company founders, executives, industry experts, mentors, investors, and ecosystem partners
• Ability and willingness to represent USD in the most positive manner.
• Ability to motivate and manage a highly talented team.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, programs, and demands.
• Cultivating relationships in related industries and ecosystem.
• Fundraising experience, sales skills, and relationship building expertise.
• Budget, managerial, and operations skills.
• Working with diverse personalities and backgrounds
• Being flexible and versatile in coping with evolving work situations
• Being able to handle the stress of last-minute deadlines and changes

Posting Salary:
$8,333.33 - $11,250 per month; Excellent Benefits

The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers.  Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer.  USD: Human Resources: Benefits

The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position.  Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.
Special Application Instructions:
Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers' review.  If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.
Additional Details:

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

In addition, the Knauss School of Business offers two different compressed work schedule options following a 9/75 structure in which employees have 1 to 1.5 days off over every two-week period as well as a hybrid option for those positions that can complete some work remotely.

Closing date: November 18, 2025

Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.

The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.

To apply, visit https://jobs.sandiego.edu/cw/en-us/job/497172







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