Veterans Business Outreach Director

• $65,000 + Dependent on Experience, Annual, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position can be located anywhere in North Dakota or South Dakota.

The Veterans Business Outreach Center Director leads the Veterans Business Outreach Center of the Dakotas program serving both North Dakota and South Dakota. The VBOC program is funded by a cooperative agreement with US SBA and is tasked with providing training to transitioning military personnel and spouses through the Boots to Business (B2B) Training Program and to veterans and military spouses through the Reboot Training Program. VBOCs also provide advising, training, technical and financial skill development, comprehensive business assessments, and mentoring services to veterans, active duty, Reserve, National Guard, military spouse and family member entrepreneurs, and small business owners interested in starting, expanding, and diversifying small businesses.

The VBOC Director directly oversees the programmatic operations of the VBOC program and supports the program’s fiscal management. This position is accountable for VBOC program goals developed in cooperation with the funding agency (US Small Business Administration). This position assists with preparation, review, and submission of program grant applications and other funding requests, budgets, purchases, and administrative and reporting documentation, and performs or helps to coordinate various administrative functions. The position manages administrative tasks of the VBOC program: service delivery, training components, reporting, and special projects, ensuring program goals and other deliverables are met. This position provides input on the program’s policies and procedures, strategic planning, and management issues. This position is responsible for developing and implementing program marketing to gain exposure for veteran/military-related entrepreneurship support services and represents the program at related meetings and events. Professional advising is provided to clients in the early stages of business development. The VBOC Director provides direct oversight of VBOC program staff, including the VBOC Business Advisor, part-time VBOC positions, any contracted consultants, student interns, or additional staff. The position works directly with the SBA OVBD office, SBA district offices, ND/SD military installations, resource partners, stakeholders, and other economic development and veteran organizations through ND and SD to foster relationships and grow collaboration efforts.

• VBOC program management and public relations.
  • Develop, maintain, and enhance program-related systems, procedures, and processes to ensure that the VBOC program meets or exceeds the annual SBA Cooperative Agreement and related goals and expectations of UND and the department, for the VBOC of the Dakotas program.
  • Oversee VBOC program management, strategy, activities, goals, reporting, and programmatic compliance with federal, state, and other rules, regulations, and standards for the program, with indirect oversight of fiscal management.
  • Prepare, review, and submit accurate and complete programmatic and financial reports, program proposals, and other funding requests, budgets, and other documentation requests as outlined in the cooperative agreement, or requested by key stakeholders.
  • Ensure the VBOC program meets or exceeds annual project goals and is compliant with all federal, state, university, and local rules and regulations pertaining to the project.
  • Oversee and guide services and activities of VBOC program staff.
  • Identify and foster relationships with significant federal, state, and local procurement project stakeholders, to ensure response to the needs of the business community, program service delivery, and fiscal stability.
  • Develop public awareness of the VBOC program and services, and effectively promote (through a variety of methods and platforms) the VBOC and other SBA partner programs to state and local economic development organizations, colleges/universities, military posts, and support organizations, and the business community, encouraging their participation in and support for the program.
  • Represent this program with the national network of VBOCs, participating regularly in OVBD communications and meetings/conferences, and with other key ND and SD stakeholders, including SBA district offices and programs, to keep abreast of SBA statewide efforts.
  • Collaborate with related programs, such as ND SBDC, ND APEX Accelerators, supporting alignment with the department’s strategic direction and vision, and promoting interaction, engagement, and cooperation between staff and resource partners to maximize network capacity to meet client needs.
• Client training and advising
  • Lead the design, logistics, planning, implementation, and post-event/follow-up requirements for all program workshops, conferences, and on-site and distance-delivered training and educational events, not limited to “Boots to Business (B2B)” and “Reboot” events.
  • Provide confidential one-on-one advising services to veterans, active duty, Reserve, National Guard, military spouse and family member entrepreneurs, and small business owners interested in starting, expanding, and diversifying small businesses.
  • Provide timely, effective, and professional advising to eligible clients through a variety of methods. Perform intake, analysis, and provide or recommend appropriate assistance, answer fundamental and complex questions, provide assistance related to business registration, planning, and financial projections, and high-level research and analysis for clients regarding their (prospective) business, industry and/or market.
  • Develop and maintain productive working relationships with various local, state, and federal resources and as a referral base to better serve program clients.
  • Design and administer surveys as well as other metric-capturing tools to collect and analyze feedback and impacts regarding government contracting assistance services.
  • Originate and maintain confidential client-tracking records using designated digital databases.
• Help to direct, manage, and oversee human resources for the VBOC of the Dakotas program, and provide direct oversight for the VBOC program staff.
  • Coordinate with department leadership on recruitment, selection, training, management, development, and evaluation of program staff members (UND employees, contracted consultants, students, or additional staff).
  • Develop, organize, coordinate, and provide professional development training for VBOC program staff, and for CBED Network staff on veteran-related topics.
  • Provide direct oversight/supervision of the VBOC program staff.
  • Lead by example to communicate organizational values and ethical behavior, promote interaction and cooperation among network staff, partner entities, and other partner resources.
• Professional development.
  • Keep abreast of program guidelines, policy changes, and new developments in the federal VBOCs program, research emerging trends, and best practices in all areas of responsibility.
  • Responsible for identifying, developing, coordinating, and organizing professional development training to improve job performance and enable advancement of the VBOC program staff in alignment with program direction, goals, and budget.
  • Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, conferences, and networking with other VBOCs, SBDCs, and veteran/military-related stakeholders.
  • As appropriate, network with other VBOCs and relevant stakeholders to both learn from and implement shared resources to improve practices within the network.
  • Share VBOC knowledge, activities, and impacts at appropriate meetings/professional development sessions.

• Demonstrate effective communication skills, including written skills, active listening, effective client interviewing using open-ended questions, attention to detail, creative problem solving, and the ability to handle difficult people.
• Possess the ability to prioritize, organize, coordinate, and complete complex tasks using independent judgment, attention to detail, accuracy, and speed
• Must be able to build strong relationships with people from diverse backgrounds (language, academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and disability) and be willing to look at situations from several points of view
• Use tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive and complex issues, situations, and concerned people
• Highly self-motivated and self-directed with a high level of emotional intelligence and self-awareness; commitment to educating themselves, a strong desire to learn, and the ability to take constructive criticism, make changes and grow
• Must be able to maintain sensitive and confidentiality of information, with no exceptions
• Read, interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures, and other applicable laws
• Analysis of program effectiveness and accomplishment of goals.
• Work independently within a cohesive program team, and a collaborative network focused on the same goals
• Demonstrated commitment to professionalism, client satisfaction, high degree of personal accountability, and high regard for others and completing tasks on time
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential and must be proficient in public speaking (in front of large and diverse audiences)
• The candidate must have the ability to handle multiple assignments, projects, and tasks, meet deadlines, organize work, and assign priorities with minimal supervision and must be self-motivated
• The ability to communicate, execute and deploy solutions to overall business issues
• Demonstrated leadership skills/management skills, leading a small team, project management, and strategy implementation

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Entrepreneurship, Management, or another relevant field of study and 3 years full-time experience that is relevant to this position and its multifaceted responsibilities related to business operations, financial analysis, and business advising
• 2 years of experience in a managerial/supervisory capacity
• Experience with entrepreneurial and small business programs, economic development programs
• Extensive experience with the operations of computers and software, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, Salesforce, web-design programs, Adobe, Dropbox, Zoom, Zoom Webinar, Teams, and other conference call and/or webinar applications, and the ability to learn new database/MIS systems quickly
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for travel
• Must be able to travel, some overnights will be required
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

• Master’s Degree in Business or another relevant field
• Military service or military-related experience
• Experience in business ownership
• Business consulting/advising/coaching experience
• Experience with the Neoserra CRM
• Experience with grants/contracts administration

Submit cover letter and resume.