Director of Louisiana Small Business Development Center

McNeese State University invites qualified applicants for the position of Director of Louisiana Small Business Development Center. This is a full-time 12month unclassified position. The appointment begins February 2 2026.

Position Number: U99097

SALARY: $65000 - $71241 (based on education qualifications and experience)

DEADLINE:Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND MATERIALS: Applicants MUSTcomplete an electronic application and upload the required documents listed below:

*Only completed application packets including all items listed above will be reviewed.

ALL JOB OFFERS ARE CONTINGENT UPON THE SUCCESSFUL RESULT OF A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK AND RECEIPT OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT(S) IF APPLICABLE.

TO APPLY FOR THIS VACANCYclick on the APPLY button at the top of advertisement to complete the electronic application which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS POSITION MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CHAIR:

Susan Thibodeaux at

Office of Human Resources Contact

Kim Dronett HR Analyst/Recruitment; ;

The Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) Director at MSU provides leadership in coordinating and overseeing the development and reporting of all activities at the center level that (1) accomplish the purposes of the grant agreement and (2) are consistent with the goals and objectives of the Louisiana SBDC Network program. The Center Director serves as the liaison cultivating and managing relationships with the community US Small Business Administration (SBA) Louisiana Economic Development (LED) the LSBDC State Office host institution and external agencies to provide information on available resources and services.

The Director of LSBDC will be responsible for the following:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative (Development of Plans/Proposals Recordkeeping Reporting Performance Measurement) 20%:

Human Resource Management 20%:

Small Business Counseling and Training 30%:

Program and Small Business Advocate 20%:

Miscellaneous 10%:

Competency Statement(s)The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skills and/or abilities required to perform job duties at an elevated level.

• Leadership Skills ability to influence motivate and elevate others to do more than they knew possible as well as an ability to know when to lead and when to follow.
• Emotional Intelligence ability to recognize and discern emotions to guide thinking and behavior to adapt to dynamic environments and collaborative teams.
• Consultation/Advising Skills keen ability to effectively analyze interpret and coach clients from various industries on multi-faceted business concepts to a positive outcome that directs their path to success. Must be able to help clients with all facets of the business planning process.
• Communication Skills knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words rules of composition proper grammar and professional etiquette. Adept at website content management digital marketing and social media networks and blog engagement.
• Business Insight keen ability to analyze understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a positive outcome.
• Time Management - ability to strategically utilize time and resources to manage priorities timelines deadlines and details under pressure with accuracy and proficiency.
• Technical Capability strong proficiency in fundamental office and computer equipment as well as software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite CIC platforms and cloud-based software applications.

Education:

• B.A. B.S. or Masters Degree in Business Administration (Preferred) Public Administration or related field.
• In lieu of a Masters degree a minimum of seven (7) years experience in either business ownership and operations and/or equivalent combination of education and experience which demonstrates the knowledge skills and abilities necessary for this position may be accepted.

McNeese State University located in Lake Charles Louisiana is a public university and a member of the University of Louisiana System. Under Louisiana law applications and all supporting materials will become public record. All applicants are expected to submit complete and accurate materials as specified in the position announcement. A background check and an English Proficiency assessment (Faculty Only) will be conducted on selected finalists. We comply with Louisiana Revised Statute 49:1001 et seq and State of Louisiana Executive Order 98-38 which provides for drug testing of employees appointees prospective employees and prospective appointees. Prospective employees and employees are informed if a drug test is required.

McNeese State University is an AA/EEO/ADA employer committed to excellence through diversity and a SAME agency (State as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities) for the State of Louisiana.

Persons needing reasonable accommodations as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the ADA Coordinator Krisshunn Youngblood Office of Campus Compliance and Civility at or.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires McNeese State University to inform applicants that the University can employ only U.S. citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Each new employee is required to present documentation verifying his/her identity and right to accept employment. McNeese participates in E-Verify.

Louisiana Revised Statute 42:31-Eligibility requirements for certain unclassified employees-requires any person hired or employed in an unclassified position whose annual salary or rate of compensation is equal to or exceeds one hundred thousand dollars provide proof to his public employer that he has been issued a Louisiana drivers license and that all vehicles registered in his name are registered in Louisiana within thirty days of being hired or employed at such salary.

Transcripts from Foreign Universities: Prospective faculty submitting transcripts from foreign universities or schools must have the coursework evaluated for equivalency to United States-accredited coursework by a University-approved agency. The prospective faculty member is responsible for the cost of the evaluation. McNeese typically accepts evaluations by World Education Services () or Educational Credential Evaluators Inc..