Small Business Liaison Manager

*In-Person Position*; Salary Range: $85K to $132K Annually

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

PACE is a local community nonprofit organization founded in 1976 to provide services for communities in the greater Los Angeles area. PACEs service include Business Development; Workforce Development; Early Childhood Education (Head Start); Financial Education and Asset Building; Housing and Rehabilitation Services; Weatherization and Energy-conservation programs; and Affordable Housing Development. PACE serves more than 40000 people each year with approximately 350 staff. PACE is recognized as a leader in addressing problems of poverty and economic inequity in ethnic minority communities and has a reputation for being responsive to community needs and known to create innovative solutions to the myriad of challenges faced by our clients. SUMMARY

PACE Business promotes the growth and economic expansion of diverse communities through one-on-one business consultation training workshops events and access to capital. Housed in PACE Business the Procurement Team assists small businesses and entrepreneurs in securing contracts from government agencies corporations prime contractors and other large buyers. PACE is the only Southern California Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce to promote the growth and global competitiveness of small business contractors. PACE is also responsible for administering the Citys ProcureLA program a procurement initiative connecting LA-based small businesses with contracting opportunities from construction to sports & entertainment (e.g. LA 2028 Summer Olympics). SUMMARY

PACE is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Small Business Liaison Manager with experience in public and/or private sector procurement to join the team. The Small Business Liaison Manager will manage a team to assist small businesses in identifying contracts & access to capital opportunities building capacity to be competitive for contracts and applying to and negotiating contracts. This position requires a strategic manager who can ramp up quickly and leverage existing professional relationships with government agencies and private sector companies such as prime contractors in the greater Los Angeles area. Work experience managing administering and performing to government contracts are desired as well as strong people management skills. This position will report to the Director of PACE Business.

1. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

Business Development

• Strategize and pursue new business (public- and private- sector based) opportunities to grow and expand the Procurement Program
• Build develop and maintain relationships with federal state and local government agencies corporations prime contractors and other major buyers especially those with presence in Southern California
• Develop and maintain relationships with other business resource providers throughout the region
• Lead the proposal efforts to respond to Notice of Interest (NOI) Request for Proposals (RFP) and other funding opportunities related to small business contracting

Program Implementation:

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the procurement program for PACE Business that include but not limited to the following:
  • Pipeline. Aggregation analysis and synthesis of client data of small businesses pursuing contracting opportunities
  • Technical Assistance. One-on-One counseling that helps small businesses navigate the contracting process including RAMPLA Registrations Certifications and Capability Statements
  • Matchmaking. Connecting small businesses directly with the buyer based on eligibility and needs
  • Events & Workshops. Workshops and events that provide training and information for small businesses and convene key stakeholders from the procurement ecosystem
  • Reporting. Regular reporting on key metrics KPIs and status reports as required by internal management funders grantors and other key stakeholders
• Serve as the day-to-day point of contact for grantors and funders for the Procurement Team
• Manage government contracts at the local county state and federal level ensuring that the Procurement Team meets or exceeds contractual metrics & requirements
• Work with the Procurement Team to identify prioritize and serve experienced small business clients pursuing larger contracting opportunities
• Collaborate and coordinate with other PACE Business teams when there are other opportunities for client referrals and / or cross-teaming
• Coordinate with internal and external auditors for reviews.

People Management

• Responsible for the day-to-day supervision and workflow of direct reports plus the vendor management of consultants / subcontractors
• Provide staff training in procurement to build the department capacity; update and create training curriculums as needed by the Department

IV. EDUCATION EXPERIENCES AND SKILLS:

Education and Experience

• Minimum Bachelors degree in business administration economics or other related field
• Minimum of three years of work experience in providing technical assistance and training to start-up for small businesses pursuing contracting opportunities
• Minimum of three years of supervisor experience within the most recent five years
• Direct involvement as a small business owner or employee with contracting experience (e.g. identifying vendors bidding negotiating contracts) especially in Los Angeles County highly desirable
• Experience in overseeing and / or managing government contracts highly desirable
• Experience in small business-related events workshops and training highly desirable
• Familiarity with registrations and online government systems for contracting opportunities

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with staff building and stewarding an organizational culture that embraces inclusion
• Have excellent communication skills both written and spoken; ability to communicate and deliver clear concise effective manner for internal and external stakeholders
• Build positive effective collaborative cultures and teams wherever you work including willingness to share skills and knowledge with others
• Ability to work with low-income individuals and groups of multi-background
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced office setting
• Excellent organizational and management skills
• Strong project management skills
• Effective problem-solving and mediation skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Social Media and On-line Marketing
• Experience working with database and client relation management (CRM) software / system especially Salesforce
• Bilingual skills in Spanish preferred

1. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have reliable transportation a current and valid California Drivers License vehicle registration and adequate automobile insurance coverage.
• Must satisfactorily pass background and employment/reference check
• COVID vaccination required; must have two-dose series of Pfizer or Moderna or a single-dose of Johnson & Johnson. Those that need a medical or religious exemption must reach out separately

1. APPLICATION PROCESS:

• Please upload resume and cover letter and complete online application
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions have been filled

1. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the Small Business Liaison Officer. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the position. While performing the responsibilities of this position the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers to handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand walk reach with arms and hands climb or balance and to stoop kneel crouch or crawl carry up to 30 lbs. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision