SBDC Region Director

State of South Carolina; Rock Hill (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

State of South Carolina, in partnership with Winthrop University, seeks a Region Director to lead SC SBDC regional operations, oversee consulting services, budgeting and program compliance.

The role emphasizes strategic planning, staff supervision, stakeholder engagement and public relations to promote small business growth in York County and surrounding communities.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to coach performance.
• Effective oral and written communication and presentation abilities.
• Exceptional consulting and client engagement capabilities.
• Ability to analyze performance and financial data for decision making.
• Ability to manage multiple offices, departments, personnel and priorities.
• Ability to build relationships with business owners, university leadership, officials and partners.

Responsibilities

• Directs regional operations of the SC SBDC program, including personnel, business planning and management.
• Coordinates continuing education programs to address market needs.
• Ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and accreditation standards.
• Assists the State Director with statewide initiatives, policy administration and accountability.
• Manages area offices and supervises employee performance.
• Provides high‑quality counseling and consulting services to small business owners.
• Leads client training programs, workshops and educational initiatives.
• Supports technology commercialization efforts by connecting clients with resources.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Consulting

Presentation

Analytics

Relationship building

Judgment

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Job description

Reporting to the Winthrop University Dean of Business & Technology and operationally to the South Carolina Small Business Development Center (SC SBDC) State Director, the Region Director serves as the SC SBDC’s primary representative to the host institution, as well as business and government leaders, and oversees personnel, business consulting services, program compliance and performance, strategic planning, continuing education initiatives and public relations efforts.

Program Management

• Directs all regional operations of the SC SBDC program, including personnel, business planning and management, program compliance and related operations.
• Coordinates continuing education programs to address market needs.
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, university, and SC SBDC laws, regulations, policies, and ASBDC Accreditation Standards.
• Assists the State Director with program compliance, statewide initiative development and implementation, strategic planning, policy and procedure administration, accreditation preparation, and resolution of management issues.

Client Consulting and Training

• Manages area offices within the region and supervises employee performance.
• Provides high-quality counseling and consulting services to prospective and existing small business owners.
• Conducts and participates in client training programs, workshops and educational initiatives.
• Supports the SC SBDC technology commercialization program in collaboration with the Innovation Center serving the greater York County area by identifying commercialization opportunities, connecting clients with technical and financial resources, and developing partnerships that promote innovation and business growth.

Budget Administration and Fiscal Management

• Manages the regional operating budget, including annual budget development in coordination with the SC SBDC administrative center at the University of South Carolina.
• Conducts financial analyses and monitors expenditures to ensure funds are allocated and utilized effectively and within budget.
• Prepares and submits required reports.

Community Outreach and Public Relations (PR)

• Serves as an official representative of the College of Business & Technology and the SC SBDC, planning and overseeing outreach, public relations and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Promotes awareness and utilization of SC SBDC services through collaboration with university departments, elected officials and the regional business community.
• Develops and maintains strategic partnerships that leverage resources to support small business growth and maximize program outcomes.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships within the College of Business & Technology and with other university departments to advance initiatives.
• Represents the SC SBDC at community, business and economic development events to strengthen visibility and stakeholder engagement.
• Ensures outreach and partnership activities align with SC SBDC goals, priorities and strategic objectives.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Professional experience managing multiple departments, personnel and operating budgets.
• Knowledge of small business development, entrepreneurship, strategic planning, program administration, budgeting and financial management.
• Knowledge of federal, state, university and SC SBDC policies, procedures and compliance requirements and the ability to interpret and apply them.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, including the ability to establish, monitor and coach performance expectations.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Exceptional consulting and presentation skills.
• Ability to analyze performance and financial data.
• Ability to manage multiple offices, departments, personnel and competing priorities.
• Ability to build effective relationships with business owners, university leadership, government officials, community partners and other stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, work independently, and maintain a high level of professionalism, confidentiality and accountability.

• Master’s degree in business administration or a relevant field.
• Experience in entrepreneurial, small-business ownership, business consulting, strategic planning, program administration, financial oversight and stakeholder engagement.

Travel/Overtime Requirements: Occasional travel and evenings and weekend hours.

Telecommuting: Employees are not eligible for telecommuting/remote work during their 12-month probationary period. After that time, certain positions may be eligible for telecommuting/remote work at the discretion of the supervisor and in accordance with Winthrop policies.