Colorado SBDC Partnerships and Outreach Manager

The Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network delivers professional, high quality, individualized business advising and technical assistance to existing small businesses and pre-venture entrepreneurs across Colorado. The Colorado SBDC Network provides problem solving assistance to help small businesses achieve their goals, including growth, innovation, improved operations, access to capital, and success. The Colorado SBDC Network combines federal (U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA]), state, and local resources with those of educational systems and the private sector to meet the specialized and complex needs of the small business community.

The Colorado SBDC Network is a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT). Colorado OEDIT was created to foster a positive business climate that encourages quality economic development through financial and technical assistance provided in support of local and regional economic development activities throughout Colorado.

NOTE: This posting is open only to individuals on a promotional list of the listed department. The posting is for transparency purposes only to comply with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Applications from individuals not on the department promotional list will not be accepted.

The Colorado SBDC Partnerships and Outreach Manager will serve as the first point of contact for potential clients and general inquiries, connecting small business owners to the best resources within the Colorado SBDC network and the state. This position also supports the Senior Manager of Partnerships & Marketing with fundraising initiatives, including prospect research, Salesforce management, and the creation of sponsor proposals, presentations, and collateral. They will also engage with other state agencies, SBA resource partners, and other divisions within OEDIT and identify opportunities for partnership and collaboration, sometimes leading those projects. The Colorado SBDC Partnerships and Outreach Manager will attend events and present to groups in order to share existing resources with Colorado's small business owners.

The position offers full-time employment as an exempt, at-will State of Colorado Employee with an anticipated duration through June 2027, with the possibility of extension based on available funding.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Small Business Navigation Support

• Provide prompt customer service and resources for client inquiries via phone, web, email, walk-in, letters, and text

• Track data and identify client trends to inform programming and resources offered

• Assess client experience and implement new technology and processes as needed

• Attend events and present to groups to educate about existing resources within the Colorado SBDC and OEDIT

• Connect business owners impacted by COVID-19 with no- or low-cost Colorado SBDC and OEDIT resources to aid in recovery and resiliency

• Support Colorado SBDC network education and certification in supporting businesses in international trade

• Support Lead Center operations to deliver information to the Colorado SBDC network

Partnership and Project Management

• Stay up to date on OEDIT divisions, grants, and programs, and refer to departments when applicable

• Conduct outreach with other state agencies, identifying potential partnerships

• Manage partnership projects from idea to execution, including program design, scope of work development, and implementation (in coordination with Colorado SBDC Lead Center and Colorado SBDC Network)

• Create processes to track and monitor existing and potential partnerships

• Engage with Colorado's other SBA resource partners, identifying ways to collaborate

• Identify and map out stakeholders; work with Sr. Manager Partnerships & Marketing to design and execute outreach plans for Colorado SBDC programming

• Support Colorado SBDC Lead Center leadership in creating and managing the Colorado SBDC Advisory Board

Disclaimer: This job requisition provides a high-level job definition. It is not intended to provide a comprehensive or exclusive list of job duties. As such, job duties and/or responsibilities within the context of this job requisition may change at the discretion of the employee's direct supervisor.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Previous experience in customer service and ability to provide foundational business advice when applicable

• Ability to effectively communicate with all stakeholders (e.g., staff members, clients, vendors) and provide a high-level of customer service as well as apply conflict resolution

• Ability to track, analyze, and produce reports related to serviced clients/calls

• Experience managing projects from concept to delivery and meeting fixed deadlines, with previous project management experience preferred

• Ability to effectively work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment; prioritize and support multiple projects and/or work tasks/initiatives; and apply effective problem-solving skills

• Must be honest, trustworthy, and demonstrate a high degree of integrity and ethical behavior

• Must be a self-motivated team player who is a creative and strategic thinker, with previous change management experience preferred

• Ability to represent the Colorado SBDC and OEDIT in presentations and at events

• Outstanding customer service skills, including maintaining a positive attitude, actively listening to needs, and calmly responding to requests

• Bilingual preferred

• Experience in Salesforce preferred

Competencies

• Communication: Is understood by and understands others; effectively persuades and influences others; clearly articulates key points when writing and speaking; active listener

• Teamwork: Builds and supports effective teams; encourages a spirit of participation and belonging; enhances group cohesiveness by emphasizing team objectives and reinforcing cooperation

• Problem Solving and Adaptability: Identifies and defines a problem; gathers and analyzes information; determines potential solutions and decides on course of action(s); accountable for and learns from decisions; responds to new information and/or situation and adapts to updated priorities and/or requirements.

• Relationship Management: Builds collaborative relationships and effectively manages relationships within OEDIT, with the Colorado SBDC network (includes Colorado SBDC Service Center Directors and staff statewide), and with external community partners

Education / Experience

• 3+ years of experience in supporting small businesses with a preference for previous experience with the Colorado SBDC (this may include internships, volunteer work, or other applicable experience)

• Demonstrated acumen and excitement to work at the convergence of public sectors at the local, state, and federal level supporting private sector businesses

• BA preferred but relevant experience will be considered as an alternative

• Experience with project management, change management, and/or process improvement is preferred

Salary Range: $65,000 - $80,000 Annually

This position is considered non-classified, which means the position is not part of the Colorado State Personnel System. Therefore, the individual appointed to this position is considered at-will, and is not covered by the State Personnel Rules or the State Classification System. However, this position does come with the same benefits (retirement, insurance, etc.) as every other State employee, and with the same opportunities, pride and passion that comes with working for the great State of Colorado. Even though employment is at-will, non-classified positions have protections against discrimination and retaliation in state and federal employment laws. "At-will" employment means that either the employee or the State may terminate the employment relationship at any time for any reason or no reason, with or without notice or cause, as long as no federal or state law is violated.

A wide salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While all offers are compliant with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, there is no guarantee an offer will be at the top of the posted range based on the salary analysis.

Benefits

The State of Colorado/Office of the Governor offers generous benefits to full-time employees including:

• Annual leave accrued at 13.33 hours per month

• Sick leave accrued at 6.66 hours a month

• 11 paid holidays per year

• Medical plans - choice of Cigna or Kaiser; several plan options (including High Deductible Health Plan with HSA); most plans offered with significant state contribution towards premium

• Dental and vision plans

• Flexible spending accounts

• State-paid life insurance policy of $50,000

• Choice of 2 retirement plans (defined contribution or defined benefit) with generous state contribution

• Optional 401(k) and 457 plans for additional retirement savings

• State-paid short-term disability coverage

• Additional optional life and disability plans

• Access to the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program

• Membership opportunity with the Credit Union of Colorado

• RTD (transit) EcoPass

• Training and professional development

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits, please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

To learn more about the "State of Colorado For All", visit our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion website.

ADAAA Accommodations

The Office of the Governor is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Staffing Coordinator, the Director of Human Resources: jennifer.salvatore@state.co.us