Senior Program Manager and SBDC Director, Polsky Exchange

University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Chicago's Polsky Exchange Administration is seeking a capable administrator to manage academic, research, clinical or administrative programs within the SBDC framework. You will advise clients, train advisors, coordinate budgets, reporting, and accreditation activities, and build partnerships to strengthen services and outcomes.

You will supervise staff, manage funds, maintain data systems, and work closely with leadership to align activities with state and federal requirements and

Responsibilities

• Directly advises and trains small business clients, assisting businesses in developing growth strategies, performing financial reviews, making recommendations using organizational tools/templates for business plans, developing sales and marketing strategies, and other business functions.
• Hires and manages a team of 2-10 SBDC advisors, depending on available funding.
• Assists small businesses in solving problems in all areas that support small business growth and expansion, innovation, and increased productivity.
• Identifies high-impact client prospects to initiate and complete advising and achieve metrics required by the grant, including facilitating access to capital, supporting new business starts, job creation and retention, and other key performance indicators determined by the State of Illinois.
• Manages CRM activity, including but not limited to, creating client profiles, organizing client files, ensuring advisors enter advising hours accurately, outreach to inactive members, and reporting on metrics to the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, following standard reporting procedures and meeting monthly goal.
• Plans and coordinates programs and activities consistent with the goals and objectives of the Illinois Small Business Development Center.
• Cultivates and maintains relationships with community groups, agencies, educational institutions, and businesses, especially other SBDCs in the network.
• Attends events and advisory board meetings that create action plans, resolve issues, share best practices, and solicit feedback.
• Plans, organizes, coordinates the day-to-day operations of the Small Business Development Center at the Polsky Exchange.
• Works closely with the Executive Director on any issues regarding SBDC accreditation, programming, and pertinent updates and requirements of state and federal agencies.
• Creates tools and processes to ensure contractually required metrics, reports, and timelines are met.
• Monitors program activities to ensure goals are aligned and compliant.
• Reviews, improves and develops advanced reporting tools.
• Maintains an effective local Board of Advisors that reflects the Center's market sector focus.
• Develops internal and external resources to accomplish program objectives, including actively seeking additional funding resources.
• Supervises Center personnel, both consultants and clerical.
• Manages the Center's operational budget.
• Maintains a current reference library and database as required by the SBDC program.
• Establishes linkages and working relationships with other Centers or small businesses that may provide additional resources to the Center.
• Maintains current data on private sector consultants for referral to members of the small business community.
• Maintains client control records and management information system.
• Provides timely and accurate reports to the SBDC.
• Maintains and analyzes data on program effectiveness.
• Promotes the SBDC and the needs of the small business community.
• Establishes a marketing plan that will allow for high visibility of the services offered to the region.
• Coordinates and cultivates a relationship with other SBA resource partners, local chambers of commerce, professional associations, and economic development groups.
• Devel

Job description

Department SIP Polsky Exchange - Administration

About the Department

The Polsky Center's mission is to advance innovative ideas and technologies from the University of Chicago ecosystem to the world. Through education, resources, and programs, the Polsky Center commercializes discoveries, partners with companies, and attracts venture capital. The Polsky Center runs a top-ranked business accelerator, the Edward L. Kaplan, '71, New Venture Challenge; operates a multi-disciplinary co-working space called the Polsky Exchange; and manages the George Shultz Innovation Fund that invests in early-stage ventures. Finally, the Polsky Center houses the University of Chicago's technology transfer unit, which manages all University-based intellectual property originating from faculty research and discoveries that can be licensed to industry partners and investors.

The Polsky Exchange is a 21,000 square-foot, multi-disciplinary co-working space and small business incubator. Through the Polsky Exchange and the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Polsky Exchange, local business owners gain access to experienced advisors, educational programs, and a network of resources designed to strengthen operations, expand opportunities, and build long-term success. Members include business owners and innovators in the community, as well as UChicago students, faculty, and staff who are actively working on entrepreneurial ventures or involved in Polsky Center programs. The Polsky Exchange is located on Hyde Park's vibrant 53rd Street corridor and open for member co-working and programming five days a week.

Job Summary

This role manages academic, research, clinical or administrative programs.

Responsibilities

• Directly advises and trains small business clients, assisting businesses in developing growth strategies, performing financial reviews, making recommendations using organizational tools/templates for business plans, developing sales and marketing strategies, and other business functions.
• Hires and manages a team of 2-10 SBDC advisors, depending on available funding.
• Assists small businesses in solving problems in all areas that support small business growth and expansion, innovation, and increased productivity.
• Identifies high-impact client prospects to initiate and complete advising and achieve metrics required by the grant, including facilitating access to capital, supporting new business starts, job creation and retention, and other key performance indicators determined by the State of Illinois.
• Manages CRM activity, including but not limited to, creating client profiles, organizing client files, ensuring advisors enter advising hours accurately, outreach to inactive members, and reporting on metrics to the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, following standard reporting procedures and meeting monthly goal.
• Plans and coordinates programs and activities consistent with the goals and objectives of the Illinois Small Business Development Center.
• Cultivates and maintains relationships with community groups, agencies, educational institutions, and businesses, especially other SBDCs in the network.
• Attends events and advisory board meetings that create action plans, resolve issues, share best practices, and solicit feedback.
• Plans, organizes, coordinates the day-to-day operations of the Small Business Development Center at the Polsky Exchange.
• Works closely with the Executive Director on any issues regarding SBDC accreditation, programming, and pertinent updates and requirements of state and federal agencies.
• Creates tools and processes to ensure contractually required metrics, reports, and timelines are met.
• Monitors program activities to ensure goals are aligned and compliant.
• Reviews, improves and develops advanced reporting tools.
• Maintains an effective local Board of Advisors that reflects the Center's market sector focus.
• Develops internal and external resources to accomplish program objectives, including actively seeking additional funding resources.
• Supervises Center personnel, both consultants and clerical.
• Manages the Center's operational budget.
• Maintains a current reference library and database as required by the SBDC program.
• Establishes linkages and working relationships with other Centers or small businesses that may provide additional resources to the Center.
• Maintains current data on private sector consultants for referral to members of the small business community.
• Maintains client control records and management information system.
• Provides timely and accurate reports to the SBDC.
• Maintains and analyzes data on program effectiveness.
• Promotes the SBDC and the needs of the small business community.
• Establishes a marketing plan that will allow for high visibility of the services offered to the region.
• Coordinates and cultivates a relationship with other SBA resource partners, local chambers of commerce, professional associations, and economic development groups.
• Devel