SBDC State Director

The Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC) a vital program hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and a key member of the national SBDC network is seeking an exceptional and visionary State Director. This is a unique executive opportunity to lead a statewide federally-funded initiative that directly drives economic growth and resilience across all regions of Alaska from its urban centers to its most remote communities. The Director will be the principal architect and advocate for small business success in the state transforming the lives of entrepreneurs and contributing to UAAs aspirations of being a trusted community partner and making an impact through innovation.

The SBDC delivers no-cost confidential one-on-one business advising technical assistance and training to entrepreneurs statewide. As a federally accredited center the Alaska SBDC manages a dynamic network of regional centers and is the administrative lead for major federal initiatives including the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funding in Alaska. The SBDC is Alaskas recognized go-to resource for support in pre-launch growth capital access innovation (including AI resources) and rural business learn more about the SBDC please visit the SBDC Director you will lead the statewide vision strategy and operations of Alaskas SBDC network. You will serve as the Principal Investigator for all federal state and private grants ensuring that SBDC programs align with the mission of the University of Alaska Anchorage and the broader University of Alaska this role you will drive the development and execution of the SBDCs strategic plan advancing ambitious goals for client impact capital formation and job creation across the state. You will act as the primary liaison to the U.S. Small Business Administration the national SBDC network and key national partners representing Alaskas small business community at the state regional and national levels. You will oversee all SBDC centers and staff statewide ensuring consistent high-quality advising training and technical assistance. This includes full responsibility for personnel management from hiring and supervision to performance evaluation and professional development.

As Director you will maintain rigorous compliance with federal and state funding requirements accreditation standards and grant terms while providing comprehensive financial oversight for multi-million-dollar funding streams. You will proactively secure new public and private funding to expand program capacity manage leveraged funding and ensure cost-match requirements are met. You will also serve as the chief spokesperson and advocate for Alaskas small businesses cultivating strong relationships with industry leaders financial institutions state agencies and Alaskas legislative delegation. Additionally you will promote innovative services and initiativesincluding capital access programming technology commercialization and rural business developmentto strengthen Alaskas entrepreneurial ecosystem.

To thrive in this role the ideal candidate brings proven leadership in executive management roles including program design financial oversight contract administration and HR management. They have extensive experience advising small businesses and leading teams of business advisors within the national SBDC network combined with a strong background in federal and state grant writing compliance budgeting and academic grant-supported environments.

Skilled in strategic planning facilitation implementation coaching and resource allocation across complex organizations the candidate possesses in-depth knowledge of current small business issues technical assistance systems and economic development strategies. A former business owner with years of hands-on entrepreneurial experience they are accomplished in building and sustaining partnerships with diverse public private and community stakeholders and are well-versed in Alaskas business and political landscape with a strong statewide network.

The candidate has demonstrated ability to manage multi-program organizations with subcontractors and semi-autonomous teams is proficient in public administration university and government processes and institutional compliance and brings expertise in marketing public relations promotion and professional public speaking.

Minimum Qualifications:

Masters degree in relevant field and five years progressively responsible experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Preferences:
Significant coursework in business policy or public administration.
5 years of progressively responsible senior level leadership or management experience including leadership planning and supervision.

Position Details:

This position is located in Anchorage Alaska. This is a term-funded full-time exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary andfull employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options annual leave 12 paid holidays per year tuition waivers for employees and family members and affordable medical dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on theUA Staff Salary Schedule Grade 83 based on education and experience.

Applications will be accepted for review on January 12 2026 to ensure consideration please apply before 11:55 PM Alaska Standard Time on January 11 2026.

For full consideration your application must include a resume or CV a letter of interest (please no more than 2 pages) and the completed online application package.

To view the full list of job responsibilities please click HERE.

If you have any questions regarding this position please contact Kendra Conroy at

*To be eligible for this position applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the Universitys discretion.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process please contact UA Human Resources by phone at .

TheUniversity of Alaska()is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to apolicy of non-discrimination( against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report whichcontains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence domestic violence sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA:(Addresses Anchorage campus Aviation Technology Complex JBER - Elmendorf Extension JBER - Richardson Extension Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus Kodiak College Kodiak High School Extension Matanuska-Susitna College Prince William Sound College and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension)Online:https:// a paper copy in person:UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage a paper copy by mail: or/907oredu.

UAF:(Addresses Fairbanks Campus Bristol Bay Campus Chukchi Campus Community and Technical College Kasitsna Bay Campus Seward Marine Center Tok Campus Kuskokwim Campus and Northwest Campus)Online: a paper copy in person:UAF Office of Rights Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution a paper copy by mail: or.

UAS:(Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus Juneau Technical Education Center Sitka Campus & Ketchikan Campus)Online: a paper copy in person:Hendrickson Building Suite 202 on the Juneau a paper copy by mail: or emailing.