University of San Diego
Director of the Small Business Development Center
University of San Diego, San Diego, California, United States, 92189
Director of the Small Business Development Center
Join to apply for the
Director of the Small Business Development Center
role at
University of San Diego Overview
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 provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and fiscal management of all SBDC activities. The SBDC serves entrepreneurs and small businesses across San Diego and Imperial Counties through consulting, training, and access to resources that foster innovation and growth. The SBDC is housed within the Knauss School of Business and supports USD schools, departments, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader community. Duties and Responsibilities
Manages and oversees all aspects of SBDC operations by creating 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 evolve to serve changing needs of innovation-based businesses. Overseeing and strategically managing all SBDC funding sources, including grants and restricted funds, to ensure compliance with terms, allowable costs, budget restrictions, and reporting deadlines. Coordinating with the Office of Sponsored Programs and the Knauss Finance and Administration Team to align with University and grant policies regarding independent contractors, external agreements, and expenditure policies. Overseeing monthly financial reviews and ensuring timely processing, reconciliation, and submission of accurate financial reports. Providing high-level business advising and technical assistance to a portfolio of small business clients, applying knowledge in business planning, financing, and growth strategy to support client success and performance metrics. Developing and monitoring data collection systems to evaluate program effectiveness, measure client outcomes, and inform strategic decision-making. Using 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 SBDC and USD policies. Conducting 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 client impact. Prepares detailed grant budgets, justifications, and narratives in compliance with funding agency requirements. Coordinates post-award administration of all grants, ensuring accurate financial tracking and timely submission of programmatic and fiscal reports. With the Assistant Dean of Marketing and Recruitment, designs and implements community outreach strategies to expand awareness of SBDC services and strengthen partnerships with economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, and community-based organizations. Coordinates with the SDIV SBDC Network and internal and external stakeholders by collaborating with the SDI SBDC Lead Office and regional Center Directors to coordinate services, enhance resources, and ensure compliance with guidelines. Participates in statewide and regional SBDC compliance reviews and maintains required grant documentation in auditable form. Works 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; serves as a public spokesperson on behalf of USD and the SBDC as appropriate. Oversees the preparation and submission of all required programmatic and fiscal reports to funders and stakeholders, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. Coordinates 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. Represents the SBDC and USD with the media as needed. Other duties as assigned. Requirements
Background check:
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check. Degree Verification Requirement : Official education transcripts for degree verification. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited college or university 5 years experience leading innovation and entrepreneurship programs Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree in related field from an accredited college or university 5+ years leading innovation and entrepreneurship programs within a higher-education setting Performance Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Working knowledge of innovation and entrepreneurship programs and ability to manage operations and HR of a center. Experience serving diverse and underrepresented small business communities Experience with community-based economic development or technical assistance programs Experience with the SBDC 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 Collaborates effectively with internal departments and external partners Independent judgment in decision-making Familiarity with digital marketing and technology to advance goals Presenting materials and training personnel Clear articulation of policies and procedures Entrepreneurial mindset, self-motivated, efficient Ability to establish relationships with founders, executives, mentors, investors, and ecosystem partners Ability to represent USD positively Ability to motivate and manage a talented team Ability to manage multiple priorities Building relationships in related industries and ecosystem Fundraising experience, sales, and relationship-building Budget, managerial, and operations skills Experience working with diverse personalities Flexibility in evolving work situations Ability to handle last-minute deadlines and changes Salary
$8,333.33 - $11,250 per month; Excellent Benefits The University of San Diego offers benefits including medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution, and access to on-campus fitness centers. See benefits section of USD site. 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. Application Instructions:
Resume and Cover Letter Required. Click Apply Now to complete our online application. Upload a cover letter and resume to your profile for review. For questions contact Employment Services at jobs@sandiego.edu. Hours: 37.5 hours per week. In addition, SBDC offers compressed schedules and hybrid options. Closing date: November 18, 2025. Note
External job postings will be up for at least three days. A candidate may be selected at any time; posting may close earlier than listed. The University of San Diego is a smoke-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Join to apply for the
Director of the Small Business Development Center
role at
University of San Diego Overview
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 provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and fiscal management of all SBDC activities. The SBDC serves entrepreneurs and small businesses across San Diego and Imperial Counties through consulting, training, and access to resources that foster innovation and growth. The SBDC is housed within the Knauss School of Business and supports USD schools, departments, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader community. Duties and Responsibilities
Manages and oversees all aspects of SBDC operations by creating 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 evolve to serve changing needs of innovation-based businesses. Overseeing and strategically managing all SBDC funding sources, including grants and restricted funds, to ensure compliance with terms, allowable costs, budget restrictions, and reporting deadlines. Coordinating with the Office of Sponsored Programs and the Knauss Finance and Administration Team to align with University and grant policies regarding independent contractors, external agreements, and expenditure policies. Overseeing monthly financial reviews and ensuring timely processing, reconciliation, and submission of accurate financial reports. Providing high-level business advising and technical assistance to a portfolio of small business clients, applying knowledge in business planning, financing, and growth strategy to support client success and performance metrics. Developing and monitoring data collection systems to evaluate program effectiveness, measure client outcomes, and inform strategic decision-making. Using 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 SBDC and USD policies. Conducting 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 client impact. Prepares detailed grant budgets, justifications, and narratives in compliance with funding agency requirements. Coordinates post-award administration of all grants, ensuring accurate financial tracking and timely submission of programmatic and fiscal reports. With the Assistant Dean of Marketing and Recruitment, designs and implements community outreach strategies to expand awareness of SBDC services and strengthen partnerships with economic development agencies, chambers of commerce, and community-based organizations. Coordinates with the SDIV SBDC Network and internal and external stakeholders by collaborating with the SDI SBDC Lead Office and regional Center Directors to coordinate services, enhance resources, and ensure compliance with guidelines. Participates in statewide and regional SBDC compliance reviews and maintains required grant documentation in auditable form. Works 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; serves as a public spokesperson on behalf of USD and the SBDC as appropriate. Oversees the preparation and submission of all required programmatic and fiscal reports to funders and stakeholders, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. Coordinates 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. Represents the SBDC and USD with the media as needed. Other duties as assigned. Requirements
Background check:
Successful completion of a pre-employment background check. Degree Verification Requirement : Official education transcripts for degree verification. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited college or university 5 years experience leading innovation and entrepreneurship programs Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree in related field from an accredited college or university 5+ years leading innovation and entrepreneurship programs within a higher-education setting Performance Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Working knowledge of innovation and entrepreneurship programs and ability to manage operations and HR of a center. Experience serving diverse and underrepresented small business communities Experience with community-based economic development or technical assistance programs Experience with the SBDC 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 Collaborates effectively with internal departments and external partners Independent judgment in decision-making Familiarity with digital marketing and technology to advance goals Presenting materials and training personnel Clear articulation of policies and procedures Entrepreneurial mindset, self-motivated, efficient Ability to establish relationships with founders, executives, mentors, investors, and ecosystem partners Ability to represent USD positively Ability to motivate and manage a talented team Ability to manage multiple priorities Building relationships in related industries and ecosystem Fundraising experience, sales, and relationship-building Budget, managerial, and operations skills Experience working with diverse personalities Flexibility in evolving work situations Ability to handle last-minute deadlines and changes Salary
$8,333.33 - $11,250 per month; Excellent Benefits The University of San Diego offers benefits including medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution, and access to on-campus fitness centers. See benefits section of USD site. 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. Application Instructions:
Resume and Cover Letter Required. Click Apply Now to complete our online application. Upload a cover letter and resume to your profile for review. For questions contact Employment Services at jobs@sandiego.edu. Hours: 37.5 hours per week. In addition, SBDC offers compressed schedules and hybrid options. Closing date: November 18, 2025. Note
External job postings will be up for at least three days. A candidate may be selected at any time; posting may close earlier than listed. The University of San Diego is a smoke-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.
#J-18808-Ljbffr