Director - TSBDC Service Center

We have an opening for a Director of the TN Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) Service Center at our Chattanooga State/TSBDC location!

Our Purpose - We support and empower everyone in our community to learn without limits.

Our Values: 

We cultivate a welcome and supportive environment.

We care about the well-being of each other.

We instill trust through integrity and transparency.

We encourage fearless innovation and resilience.

We collaborate to build a better future.

Our Mission - We are Chattanooga State, a dedicated team that delivers accessible, innovative learning opportunities that surpass expectations.  Together, we enrich the lives of students, and their families; develop a talented workforce; and partner with our community to lead boldly into the future.

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) Service Center Director provides leadership and strategic oversight for the operation and performance of the TSBDC Service Center at Chattanooga State Community College. Responsibilities include supervising and developing staff; managing budgets and program operations; providing confidential business consulting and technical assistance; developing strategic partnerships; representing the Center throughout the community; and ensuring compliance with TSBDC, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Chattanooga State, grant, and other funding requirements.

• Business Consulting and Client Services: Provide confidential one-on-one business consulting and technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Support consultants in addressing complex client situations and identifying appropriate solutions and business resources.
• Quality and Performance Management: Review consulting activities and documentation to promote quality, consistency, and compliance. Monitor Center performance metrics, evaluate operational effectiveness, and implement improvements necessary to achieve program goals.
• Community Outreach and Partnership Development: Serve as the primary representative of the Service Center with community organizations, Chattanooga State, funding partners, and other stakeholders. Develop and maintain relationships with chambers of commerce, lenders, economic development organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, advisory boards, and other community partners.
• Public Representation: Represent and promote TSBDC through networking events, conferences, community meetings, outreach activities, and public presentations. Identify opportunities to increase awareness of TSBDC services and strengthen the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Program Administration: Develop and implement Service Center goals and strategic initiatives aligned with TSBDC priorities. Develop, monitor, and manage Service Center budgets in collaboration with Chattanooga State and the TSBDC Lead Center.
• Statewide Collaboration: Participate in statewide TSBDC initiatives, leadership meetings, conferences, and professional development activities. Collaborate with the Lead Center, Chattanooga State, and other Service Centers to support organizational goals and share best practices.
• Perform other related duties and special projects assigned in support of TSBDC and Chattanooga State operations.

• Connect entrepreneurs and small business owners with appropriate Chattanooga State, TSBDC, SBA, lending, procurement, workforce, and regional economic-development resources.
• Ensure that consulting, training, outreach, and partnership activities are accessible, responsive, and appropriate for clients at different stages of business development.
• Promote coordinated service delivery and effective referrals among internal and external partners.

• Leadership and Staff Management: Provide leadership, direction, and oversight for Service Center operations and personnel. Recruit, interview, onboard, train, coach, evaluate, and develop employees; assign work; monitor performance; and provide ongoing feedback that supports employee engagement and organizational effectiveness.
• Provide client- and community-focused leadership aligned with Chattanooga State Community College values and the mission of the Tennessee Small Business Development Center.
• Support a welcoming, respectful, accountable, and collaborative environment for employees, clients, and community partners.
• Provide responsive and consistent services and support while maintaining confidentiality and professional standards.

• Reporting and Compliance: Prepare, review, and submit required reports, contracts, success stories, nominations, and other program documentation. Ensure compliance with TSBDC policies, SBA regulations, grant requirements, Chattanooga State procedures, and applicable funding requirements.

• Use performance data, client feedback, and established best practices to strengthen consulting, training, outreach, and operational effectiveness.
• Identify and implement practical improvements that respond to changing business conditions, technologies, regulations, and regional economic development needs.
• Encourage innovation, collaboration, professional growth, and continuous improvement throughout the Service Center.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Entrepreneurship, Management, Finance, Marketing, Economics, Public Administration, or related field.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in business ownership, business management, consulting, economic development, banking, finance, or related field, including leadership or supervisory responsibilities.
• Demonstrated experience managing organizational operations, budgets, programs, or grant-funded activities.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and the ability to learn client management and reporting systems.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout the assigned service area, with occasional overnight travel.

• Master's degree in Business Administration or a related field.
• Knowledge of SBA programs, grant-funded operations, TSBDC requirements, and economic-development initiatives.
• ASBDC Certified Business Advisor credential or another relevant professional certification.
• Experience supervising professional staff and managing organizational performance.
• Established relationships within the local business, lending, and economic-development community.

• Knowledge of small business management, entrepreneurship, business planning, business development, budgeting, financial management, grant administration, and program compliance.
• Knowledge of strategic planning, performance measurement, organizational operations, SBA programs, and economic-development resources.
• Skill in leadership, supervision, coaching, employee development, business consulting, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences in verbal and written form and to deliver effective public presentations.
• Skill in relationship building, networking, project management, organization, and prioritization.
• Ability to analyze organizational and business needs and develop practical solutions.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across the TSBDC network, Chattanooga State, and the community.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, regulations, technologies, and business environments.

Closing Date: Until Filled

* All applicant submissions must include a CV/Resume, References, and Unofficial Transcript attachments. *

Open Until Filled: Yes.

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