Montana Women’s Business Center Program Director

Please read the job posting on our website and apply directly to Prospera per the instructions in the job announcement. THOSE APPLYING THROUGH INDEED WILL NOT BE CONTACTED FOR INTERVIEWS.

Job Description

The Montana Women's Business Center (MTWBC) is a program of Prospera that is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO). Established in 2009, the MTWBC is one of 150 women’s business centers across the country. The role provides the necessary tools and support to help women and others to establish, grow, and sustain businesses throughout Montana.

The Program Director is part of the Prospera business development team that creates, plans, and implements business technical assistance, mentorship, and education/training programs – to advance the goals of the MTWBC. The position will work in tandem with Prospera’s Small Business Development Center Regional Program Director, Food and Agriculture Development Center Program Director and other Women’s Business Centers nationally to capitalize on resources and partnerships that can help clients be successful.

This position reports to and coordinates efforts with the Director of Regional Economic Development. The MTWBC position is responsible for creating a powerful program that will attract businesses and thought leaders who can strengthen our impact locally and in communities and peer organizations across Montana.

Desired Fit and Capabilities:

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and know how to build working partnerships among business leaders and peer organizations that leads to positive outcomes for businesses and our organization.

· Relationship builder and connector who can match people to the right business resource.

· Competent public speaker and communicator who can write or verbally present compelling stories about the program and client success.

· Exceptionally organized and resourceful and can easily plan logistics and educational events along-side managing client appointments.

• Tech savvy with skills in database management, digital platforms and using a PC.
• Fun and competent leader who is creative and can attract resources to strengthen the program.
• A team player that will align efforts with broader goals of the organization.

Qualifications:

· A college degree and 3 years of direct professional experience in business operations, financial management and fiscal controls, business accounting, and/or marketing and communications.

· Direct experience in program development at a public agency or non-profit organization is a plus.

· Demonstrated expertise in Excel creating business projections, financial planning or statements, and business fiscal management.

· Experience with grant management and reporting; preferably with federal agencies.

· Highly Competent in the following programs:

• o Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)
• o Zoom
• o Any CRM System
• o Google Drive Programs (Forms, Sheets, Docs)

· Direct experience owning and running a business with employees is a plus.

Business Development and Counseling (60%)

The MTWBC Program Director will be proactive in establishing a business clientele they can confidently help with starting, growing, and managing a small business in Montana. Tracked program metrics include total clients served, access to capital (grants and financing), jobs created/retained, and new business starts.

· Develop and manage a pipeline of small business clients that can benefit from business counseling and technical assistance.

· Coordinate on-boarding and client records and metric data in Neoserra (database).

· Provide program innovations that improved outcomes for clients.

· Manage client communications, and business assistance processes, for 8-10 client meetings/week.

· Provide client success stories.

· Follow-up with clients to improve their operations with business planning, development strategies, financial review and analysis, marketing assistance, managing a business, cash flow management, business projections, financing, human resources and more.

· Align clients with business development grants, loan financing, and other business assistance.

· Conduct surveys and client outreach for WBC reporting and quality metrics.

· Collaborate with our business development team, the SBDC, FADC, and other Women’s Business Centers to improve the program and processes for helping small businesses.

Professional Programs and Trainings (20%)

Work with our business development team to plan and implement an annual training, mentoring, and business development program that is innovative and aims for high-quality outcomes.

· Lead our MTWBC 56Strong statewide women’s mentorship program. Recruit participants, manage facilitation, and ensure high-quality experiences.

· Work with the Director of Finance to plan and budget for a comprehensive WBC program and monitor income and expense so that organizational goals are met.

· Recruit and manage subject-matter experts that can deliver coursework, and powerful business development programs that are fun, lively, and effective.

· In coordination with the Director of Philanthropy, seek training and event sponsors to help fund the WBC program.

· Be the subject matter expert and lead trainings on topics that you are an expert in.

· Build registration forms in our CRM system; sell and fill classes and build a pipeline of training/program clients.

· Coordinate all logistics and manage training budgets.

· Design event collateral in Canva.

· Assist with multi-channel marketing to promote our program offerings.

· Promote the increased use of (), our online training platform.

Advisory Committee and Outreach (10%)

The Montana Women’s Business Center has an active advisory committee that supports with programming, marketing, and fundraising for Prospera and the MTWBC.. This position develops a professional network with peers, business leaders, and state/federal agencies to promote and communicate our success and our resources for business clients.

· Manage the advisory committee members and run meetings.

· Engage members with planning future efforts and programs.

· Make presentations and provide community outreach to groups and partner organizations.

· In coordination with the Director of Philanthropy, support fundraising and sponsorship efforts.

· Write success stories for our media channels.

Grant Management (10%)

Provide effective communication and relationships with OWBO/SBA to plan for and complete all MTWBC grant responsibilities and program metrics.

· Keep and maintain records to ensure compliance with federal rules and guidelines for the WBC.

· Write and prepare the annual technical proposal to SBA, and the WBC grant renewal required every three years.

· Work with the Director of Finance to monitor and track program income and expenses to ensure accountability and understanding of the WBC program fiscal goals.

· Manage client data entry and reporting in the SBA NEXUS and Outreach Systems, with the Neoserra reporting database.

· Attend the Association of WBC national conference

Work Conditions:

The work week is generally Monday - Friday 8 am to 5 pm, with some variability depending on workload and events. Standing, lifting and some moderate physical requirements (ability to lift 50 lbs.) are necessary along with a personal vehicle, valid driver’s license and proof of insurance is required. This is an “in office” position based in Bozeman, MT, with occasional travel required.

To Apply:

Email a cover letter describing your interest in the position, and a resume. The cover letter will be considered a writing sample in addition to serving as a personal introduction.

E-mail your application with “WBC Director Role” in the subject line to: sblaser@prosperamt.org

Applications will be reviewed as received. This position is open until filled.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

• Bozeman, MT: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person