Program Coordinator

South Carolina Research Authority; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

South Carolina Research Authority seeks a Program Coordinator for the FAST Center to lead SBIR/STTR outreach, education, and pipeline development across the state, working with the 3PhaseSC team and SBDC partners. This mission-critical role serves as the primary contact for entrepreneurs at awareness and preparation stages, enabling SBIR/STTR engagement.

The position focuses on education, partnerships, and communications, with responsibilities spanning outreach events, webinars, social media,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of experience in entrepreneurship support, startup ecosystem development, or related fields.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, partner relationships, and deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication; experience with digital communications and social media management.

Responsibilities

• Lead SBIR/STTR education, outreach, and pipeline development statewide with partners.
• Coordinate partner network with SBDC, universities, and ecosystem groups; expand outreach to underrepresented entrepreneurs.
• Maintain FAST Center social media channels and distribute monthly program updates and resources.
• Prepare quarterly SBA reports and maintain client and event data for program reviews.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to advance SBIR/STTR support objectives.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder relationships

Digital communications

Social media management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Description

Reporting to the Manager, Strategic Initiatives, the FAST Center Program Coordinator leads the outreach, education, and pipeline development activities of the South Carolina FAST Center. Working in close coordination with the 3PhaseSC implementation team and SBDC partners, the Program Coordinator serves as the primary point of contact for entrepreneurs and small businesses at the awareness and preparation stages of SBIR/STTR engagement. This is a mission-critical role for South Carolina's statewide SBIR/STTR support system.

Essential Functions:

• SBIR/STTR Education, Outreach, and Pipeline Development (50%)
• Plan and execute statewide outreach events, monthly webinars, and educational programming in partnership with SBDC and other ecosystem partners. Maintain active engagement with a pipeline of 60+ companies annually, providing guidance on SBIR/STTR eligibility, agency fit, and program requirements. Facilitate warm handoffs to 3PhaseSC for submission-ready clients.
• Partner Coordination and Network Building (30%)
• Build and maintain relationships with SBDC counselors, Women's Business Centers, University partners, APEX Accelerator, rural economic development organizations, and other ecosystem partners. Coordinate co-programming and joint outreach to reach entrepreneurs underrepresented in SBIR/STTR programs, with deliberate focus on rural communities.
• Social Media, Digital Communications, and Marketing (10%)
• Manage FAST Center social media channels and coordinate with SCRA communications staff. Develop and distribute monthly email updates, program announcements, and client success content. Maintain digital program materials including webinar recordings and SBIR/STTR resource guides.
• Reporting and Program Administration (10%)
• Prepare and submit quarterly performance reports to SBA in accordance with SF-PPR and FAST reporting requirements. Maintain accurate records of client engagements, event attendance, proposal metrics, and demographic data. Support annual program review and contribute to planning for program improvement.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years of experience in entrepreneurship support, startup ecosystem development, research commercialization, non-dilutive funding, program management, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, partner relationships, and programmatic deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; experience with digital communications and social media management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with SBIR/STTR programs and federal innovation funding.
• Experience serving entrepreneurs in innovation and growth focused research and development companies
• Experience with federal grant reporting and compliance.