Director, Small Business Services

Job Title and Level: Director, Small Business Services

City/County: Field Based

Type of Employment: Limited-Term (position has expiration date)

Pay Grade and Annual Salary: Pay Grade 6: Grade 6 begins at $105,600- $128,000 annually. Additional consideration may be given based on relevant skills, education, and experience.

Brief Job Description:

The Director, Small Business Services oversees partnerships and programs that support the sustainability and growth of micro-, place-based, and early-stage businesses across Michigan. This role is principally responsible for inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem building, by ensuring the successful implementation and evaluation of the Small Business Support Hubs program. This position is also responsible for the oversight of key initiatives and partnerships, such as Match on Main and the Small Business Development Center. 

70% of this job’s function is required to support inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem building, by ensuring the successful implementation and evaluation of the Small Business Support Hubs program. 30% of this job’s function relates to the oversight of the Small Business Services team and its effective operations, including development of budgets, reports, and other activities required to achieve business unit and organizational objectives.

The Small Business Services team works proactively with a diverse stakeholder base to help accomplish business unit and organizational goals, including the MEDC Small Business Team, MEDC Regional Development team, MEDC Place, Programs & Services team, and the MEDC Entrepreneurship & Innovation team; as well as community and economic development organizations, cultural and ethnic chambers of commerce, business service organizations, and industry-specific groups.

NOTE: This position is considered limited-term. The funding for this position is set to end on or before 12/31/2026. 

Click here to view the position description 

This position may work a field based schedule. Selected candidates who have been approved to work a field based schedule must complete that work within Michigan. Candidates should confirm work location and schedule at the time of interview.  

Business Unit: Small Business, Innovation & Ecosystems

Supervisor: Amy Rencher, SVP, Small Business Services & Solutions

Minimum Education Required:

This position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Economics, Public Administration, Political Science or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Minimum Experience Required:

This position requires a minimum of five to seven years related experience and/or training in managing, developing and implementing community and/or economic development strategy. 

Preferred Experience: 

At least three years of experience in two or more of the following skill areas:

• entrepreneurship / small business ownership
• in-person stakeholder engagement
• in-person and virtual workshop facilitation
• program design
• program implementation
• program evaluation
• lean project management

How to Apply:

If you believe that your qualifications meet the listed requirements and are interested in this opportunity, please submit a cover letter, resume and completed Employment Application by e-mail to [email protected] .

Note: A completed application is not required for current MEDC employees who apply.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact People Services at [email protected] .

Deadline for Response: Dec 15, 2024