University of South Carolina is hiring a State Director. This role involves leading and managing all aspects of the SC Small Business Development Centers including strategic planning, budget oversight, staff supervision, outreach, program development, and compliance with federal, state, and university regulations to ensure the sustainability and success of the program.
Highlights
Provides overall direction and leadership for SC SBDC statewide program and related grants.
Manages budgets, finances, and resource allocation for multiple funding sources.
Leads outreach, community engagement, and maintains relationships with key economic development professionals and stakeholders.
Directs strategic planning, program development, and manages a distributed network of offices.
Supervises, coaches, and mentors staff with formal performance evaluations.
Requires a bachelor’s degree and at least 8 years of related experience including management; master’s degree and 10 years management preferred.
Skills in budget management, grant development, complex stakeholder relationship management, and federal/state compliance are essential.
Responsible for maintaining accreditation with America's Association of Small Business Development Centers.
Salary range starts at $116,104, commensurate with qualifications.
Works closely with the SC General Assembly, US Small Business Administration, and a consortium board of university deans.
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by August 15, 2025.
Posting Details
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Posting Summary
Logo For Posting | Posting Number | RTF00156PO25 USC Market Title | Program Director Link to USC Market Title | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/156357 Business Title (Internal Title) | State Director Campus | Columbia Work County | Richland College/Division | Darla Moore School of Business Department | DMSB Small Business Development Center Advertised Salary Range | $116,104 -Salary commensurate with qualifications Location of Vacancy | Columbia, SC Part/Full Time | Full Time Hours per Week | 37.5 Work Schedule | Normal 37.5 hour work week
Standard working schedule: 8:30am – 5:00pm
Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Normal 37.5 hour work week Type of Staff Position | Staff Research Grant (SRGP) Basis | 12 months Job Search Category | Other Professional
About USC
About University of South Carolina | From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond. Inclusive Excellence Statement | At the University of South Carolina, we strive to cultivate an inclusive environment that is open, welcoming, and supportive of individuals of all backgrounds. We recognize diversity in our workforce is essential to providing academic excellence and critical to our sustainability. The University is committed to eliminating barriers created by institutional discrimination through accountability and continuous process improvement. We celebrate the diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences of our employees.
Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
South Carolina Retirement | Yes State Insurance Programs | Yes Annual Leave | Yes Sick Leave | Yes
Position Description
Advertised Job Summary | The State Director is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of the SC Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC) and all other grants/programs awarded to the SC SBDC. This includes establishing the organization’s vision, strategic priorities and operational procedures; oversight/managing budget/finances, directing and leading outreach efforts, overseeing marketing, establishing and allocating performance goals, monitoring and ensuring program compliance, supervising direct staff and managing all other responsibiities to ensure success and sustainability of the program. Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience | Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and at least 8 years of job related experience, including some prior management experience. Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials | Preferred Qualifications | Master’s degree preferred and 10 years of management and leadership experience Knowledge/Skills/Abilities | The ideal candidate will demonstrate: Understanding of the management and financial challenges faced by small businesses; ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships; Success in developing and managing budgets with many diverse sources and uses of funds. Success in developing new funding sources, including grants and contracts; Success in managing a distributed network of offices remotely. Excellent communication and team-building skills; Successful supervisory experience
Job Duties
Job Duty | Sr. Leadership: Provides overall direction and leadership of the SC SBDC statewide program and other grants awarded to the SC SBDC to achieve the organization’s goals and strategic objectives. Serves as the principal investigator for the SC SBDC, negotiates performance objectives with the SBA and other funding stakeholders, and oversees regional centers to ensure operations are efficient, effective, and consistent statewide. Leads the establishment and implementation of policies and procedures to effectively direct and monitor organizational performance, achieve measurable outcomes, and comply with all federal, state, and university regulations. Works directly with Consortium Board members (deans) of each host university to ensure continued transparency, support, and cohesion of the SC SBDC program Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 25Job Duty | Fiscal Management: Directs financial management for all grants and programs operated by the SC SBDC. Includes development and management of the operating budget, including all sources of funds, to maximize effective utilization of available resources and to sustain funding. Determines equitable allocation of funding across the Regions and Lead Center, redirecting resources based on need. Collaborates with internal USC personnel and other host universities to streamline processes and ensure adherence to procedures. Conducts and/or directs efforts to sustain existing funding and acquire new funding that supports staff professional development and welfare, new and enhanced client programs/services, capacity needs, and the ability to meet small business needs. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 25Job Duty | Outreach/Community Engagement: Cultivates and maintains relationships with key economic development professionals and organizations; state and federal elected officials and their representatives; private sector companies; and leadership/administrators of the host universities and other institutions of higher education. Appoints and coordinates a statewide advisory council. Uses insights from these entities to ensure the SC SBDC is responsive to the state’s small business needs and overall economic development strategies. Actively engages in and contributes to the national ASBDC network. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 20Job Duty | Strategic Planning: Directs and oversees ongoing development, implementation, and updates of the strategic plan. Monitors and assesses progress to achieve overall goals. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 10Job Duty | Program Development/Management: Facilitates the development of programs and services to better serve the needs of businesses and communities statewide, and to drive economic impact and ROI. Develops partnerships to create and enhance programs that maximize value for small businesses. Encourages a culture of collaboration and partnership with team members and external organizations throughout the SC SBDC to generate enhanced client services. Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 10Job Duty | Staff Supervision: Supervises, coaches, and mentors direct report staff, and conducts both informal and formal performance reviews. Guides staff on professional development to improve job performance Essential Function | Yes Percentage of Time | 10
Position Attributes
Hazardous weather category | Essential Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. | No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies | 1 Desired Start Date | 09/15/2025 Position End Date | Job Open Date | 07/15/2025 Job Close Date | 08/15/2025 Open Until Filled | No Special Instructions to Applicant | Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by August 15, 2025. Quicklink for Posting | https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/190868 EEO Statement | The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* Do you have at least a Bachelor's Degree in a job related field and at least 8 years of job related experience, including some prior management experience?
Yes
No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Cover Letter
Resume
List of References and Contact Information
Optional Documents
Letter of Recommendation 1
Letter of Recommendation 2
Letter of Recommendation 3
Other Supporting Documents
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