Central California Small Business Development Center Regional Director

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The salary range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $152,500 - $191,000.

This is a multi-year, renewable contract appointment with full University of California benefits.

Initial applicant review will take place on or around September 28, 2026. Posting will remain open through offer acceptance.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and one of the youngest universities to be designated an R1 research university. With approximately 9,100 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.

The Regional Director serves as the chief executive officer of the Central California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and fiscal management for one of California's federally funded Small Business Development Center (SBDC) networks. As the senior leadership official for a regional network of organizations delivering entrepreneurial services, the Regional Director oversees a complex grant-funded program serving entrepreneurs and small businesses across fourteen Central California counties through multiple service centers and specialty programs.

The Regional Director is responsible for the successful administration of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Cooperative Agreement and all associated federal, state, university, and partner requirements. The position ensures achievement of program performance goals, compliance with grant and regulatory requirements, and effective stewardship of network resources. The Regional Director manages an annual budget of approximately $4 million, allocating funding to regional service centers and specialty programs, maintaining expenditure controls, and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and university policies and regulations.

The Regional Director establishes the strategic vision and direction for the Network, oversees communications, marketing, outreach, and constituent engagement programs, and develops initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, business growth, and regional economic development. The position cultivates and maintains collaborative relationships with entrepreneurs, small businesses, funding partners, host institutions, economic development organizations, elected officials, and other key stakeholders throughout Central California.

Serving as the University's principal liaison to the U.S. Small Business Administration, GO-Biz, host institutions, and funding partners, the Regional Director acts as the primary point of contact with the SBA District and Program Offices and represents the Network on matters of strategy, performance, compliance, and funding. The Regional Director also serves as the primary spokesperson for the Central California SBDC Network, providing strategic communications guidance to senior leadership and promoting the Network's mission, programs, and impact across the region.

This position plays a critical role in advancing economic development by ensuring the delivery of high-quality entrepreneurial services, fostering regional partnerships, and supporting the growth and success of small businesses throughout Central California.he highest level of discretion, integrity, and confidentiality.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership: Provides strategic leadership for the Central California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network by establishing and implementing a long-term vision, mission, goals, and objectives that align with the priorities of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the University of California, Merced, the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), and SBDC accreditation standards. Leads region-wide delivery of services across fourteen Central California counties and develops strategic initiatives that strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems, expand access to capital, innovation, government contracting, workforce development, and business growth opportunities. Accountable for achieving program outcomes and advancing key stakeholder priorities through the development and monitoring of performance measures and strategic objectives.

Program Administration, Compliance, and Performance Management: Directs all activities necessary to administer the SBA Cooperative Agreement and associated federal, state, university, and program requirements. Ensures compliance with SBA terms and conditions, federal grant regulations, California state requirements, accreditation standards, performance metrics, and University policies. Develops systems and processes to monitor network activities, assess program effectiveness, and ensure achievement of annual performance goals, including client advising, business starts, capital infusion, sales growth, job creation, government contracting, and training outcomes. Oversees the timely preparation and submission of all required reports, budgets, grant proposals, financial documentation, program narratives, performance reports, and sponsor requests for information.

Fiscal Management and Resource Development: Provides executive oversight of approximately $4 million in federal, state, local, and matching funds. Secures and maintains funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of California, host colleges and universities, local governments, corporate sponsors, and community partners. Responsible for budget development, contract administration, fiscal monitoring, financial forecasting, risk management, internal controls, and compliance with sponsor requirements. Allocates resources across regional service centers and specialty programs, maintains effective expenditure controls, ensures responsible stewardship of public funds, and maximizes service delivery to Central California small businesses.

Network Leadership and Organizational Development: Provides leadership and management for the Central California SBDC Network, including supervision of Lead Center staff and Center Directors throughout the fourteen-county service area. Develops and maintains an organizational structure that supports effective service delivery and achievement of strategic objectives. Builds a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, continuous improvement, professional development, and excellence in client service. Responsible for talent recruitment, training, coaching, mentoring, succession planning, performance management, and organizational development initiatives that strengthen network capacity and effectiveness.

Partnership Development, Advocacy, and External Relations: Develops and maintains productive partnerships with the SBA, CalOSBA, UC Merced leadership, community colleges, universities, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, financial institutions, local governments, elected officials, community organizations, and other stakeholders. Serves as the University's principal liaison with the SBA District and Program Offices, funding agencies, host institutions, and strategic partners. Advocates for the Central California SBDC Network at the regional, state, and national levels, including engagement with stakeholders in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., to advance the interests of small businesses and entrepreneurship throughout the region.

Communications, Marketing, and Public Engagement: Serves as the primary spokesperson for the Central California SBDC Network and provides strategic communications guidance to senior leadership. Oversees network marketing, communications, outreach, and constituent engagement activities to increase awareness and utilization of SBDC services among entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout Central California. Collaborates with university communications, media relations, and external partners to develop communication strategies, coordinate public announcements, prepare news releases, manage media inquiries, organize public events and press engagements, and promote the impact of the Network's programs and services.

*LI-RM1

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics,
• Management, Finance, or a closely related field, or equivalent experience/training (required); and/or
• Advanced degree from an accredited university in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics,
• Management, Finance, or a closely related field (preferred; and
• Five years of progressively responsible leadership experience involving one or more of the following: small business ownership, small business consulting, economic development, commercial lending, business finance, entrepreneurship, grant administration, and government-funded programs (required); and/or
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible leadership experience involving one or more of the following: small business ownership, small business consulting, economic development, commercial lending, business finance, entrepreneurship, grant administration, and government-funded programs (preferred); and
• Experience managing complex budgets and multiple funding sources (required); and
• Experience supervising professional staff (required); and
• Experience developing strategic partnerships (required); and
• Experience working with performance metrics and accountability systems (required); and
• Leadership experience within a Small Business Development Center, Women's Business Center, APEX Accelerator, Manufacturing Extension Partnership, or comparable business assistance organization (preferred); and
• Experience administering SBA Cooperative Agreements or other federal grants (preferred); and
• Knowledge of SBDC Accreditation Standards (preferred); and
• Experience working within higher education (preferred); and
• Experience leading geographically dispersed organizations (preferred)

ADDITIONAL COMPETENCIES: (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

• Advanced knowledge of small business development, entrepreneurial ecosystems, economic development, SBA programs, higher education organizations, and the strategic goals, priorities, and operations of complex public-sector institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic leadership for complex, multi-partner organizations by developing and implementing long-range strategic plans, organizational objectives, performance measures, and change management initiatives.
• Extensive knowledge of federal grant administration, cooperative agreements, public-sector accountability, and the ability to interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with federal, state, university, and sponsor regulations and requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to build, maintain, and strengthen collaborative relationships with funding agencies, educational institutions, public officials, community organizations, business leaders, external constituencies, and other key stakeholders.
• Advanced knowledge of budget administration, financial management, resource allocation, fiscal monitoring, and performance measurement, with the ability to analyze financial and programmatic data and make data-driven decisions.
• Exceptional leadership and management skills, including personnel supervision, staff development, organizational design, succession planning, coaching, and the ability to motivate and direct professional staff to achieve organizational objectives.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, and public speaking skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, public officials, stakeholders, media representatives, and diverse audiences.
• Advanced knowledge of strategic communications, marketing, public relations, media relations, market research, and emerging communication technologies, with the ability to develop and implement comprehensive communication and outreach strategies.
• Exceptional analytical, project management, negotiation, political acumen, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, interpret complex information, develop effective solutions, and achieve results within budget and time constraints.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, advise and consult senior leadership on sensitive or complex matters, prepare executive-level reports and presentations, maintain confidentiality, and respond effectively in high-profile and rapidly changing environments.
• Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) or similar professional credential (preferred).

Background check required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/