Department
SIP Polsky Exchange - Administration
About the Department
The Polsky Center’s mission is to advance innovative ideas and technologies from the University of Chicago ecosystem to the world. Through education, resources, and programs, the Polsky Center commercializes discoveries, partners with companies, and attracts venture capital. The Polsky Center runs a top-ranked business accelerator, the Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge; operates a multi-disciplinary co-working space called the Polsky Exchange; and manages the George Shultz Innovation Fund that invests in early-stage ventures. Finally, the Polsky Center houses the University of Chicago’s technology transfer unit, which manages all University-based intellectual property originating from faculty research and discoveries that can be licensed to industry partners and investors.
The Polsky Exchange is a 21,000 square-foot, multi-disciplinary co-working space and small business incubator. Through the Polsky Exchange and the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Polsky Exchange, local business owners gain access to experienced advisors, educational programs, and a network of resources designed to strengthen operations, expand opportunities, and build long-term success. Members include business owners and innovators in the community, as well as UChicago students, faculty, and staff who are actively working on entrepreneurial ventures or involved in Polsky Center programs. The Polsky Exchange is located on Hyde Park’s vibrant 53rd Street corridor and open for member co-working and programming five days a week.
Job Information
Job Summary:
The Temporary SBDC Director is responsible for all day-to-day operations of the Small Business Development Center at Polsky Exchange, including providing business advising, training, and educational services and events for business owners, tracking performance according to State of Illinois metrics, hiring and managing a team of part-time business advisors, and budget compliance. The Temporary Director will maintain a close working relationship with community organizations including other SBDCs in the network, businesses, internal University departments, and economic development and industry leaders to align resources, programming, and training. This Temporary position reports to the Executive Director of the Polsky Exchange. This position is grant-funded and contingent on continuing funds provided by the State of Illinois and the federal Small Business Administration.
Responsibilities:
- Directly advise and train small business clients, assisting businesses in developing growth strategies, performing financial reviews, making recommendations using organizational tools/templates for business plans, developing sales and marketing strategies, and other business functions.
- Hire and manage a team of 2-10 SBDC advisors, depending on available funding.
- Assist small businesses in solving problems in all areas that support small business growth and expansion, innovation, and increased productivity.
- Identify high-impact client prospects to initiate and complete advising and achieve metrics required by the grant including facilitating access to capital, supporting new business starts, job creation and retention, and other key performance indicators determined by the State of Illinois.
- Manage CRM activity, including but not limited to, creating client profiles, organizing client files, ensuring advisors enter advising hours accurately, outreach to inactive members, and reporting on metrics to the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, following standard reporting procedures and meeting monthly goal.
- Plan and coordinate programs and activities consistent with the goals and objectives of the Illinois Small Business Development Center.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with community groups, agencies, educational institutions, and businesses, especially other SBDCs in the network.
- Attend events and advisory board meetings that create action plans, resolve issues, share best practices, and solicit feedback.
- Plan, organize, coordinate the day-to-day operations of the Small Business Development Center at the Polsky Exchange.
- Work closely with the Executive Director on any issues regarding SBDC accreditation, programming, and pertinent updates and requirements of state and federal agencies.
- Create tools and processes to ensure contractually required metrics, reports, and timelines are met.
- Monitor program activities to ensure goals are aligned and compliant.
- Review, improve and develop advanced reporting tools.
- Maintain an effective local Board of Advisors that reflects the Center's market sector focus.
- Develop internal and external resources to accomplish program objectives, including actively seeking additional funding resources.
- Supervise center personnel, both consultants and clerical.
- Manage the Center's operational budget.
- Maintain a current reference library and database as required by the SBDC program.
- Establish linkages and working relationships with other Centers or small businesses that may provide additional resources to the Center.
- Maintain current data on private sector consultants for referral to members of the small business community.
- Maintain client control records and management information system.
- Provide timely and accurate reports to the SBDC.
- Maintain and analyze data on program effectiveness.
- Promote the SBDC and the needs of the small business community.
- Establish a marketing plan that will allow for high visibility of the services offered to the region.
- Coordinate and cultivate a relationship with other SBA resource partners, local chambers of commerce, professional associations, and economic development groups.
- Perform other related work as needed.
Competencies:
- Work effectively with a variety of constituents, including local business owners, State of Illinois administrators, corporate executives, students, and entrepreneurs.
- Resourcefulness, creativity, detail-orientation, and ability to work independently.
- Effectively multi-task under deadlines.
- Outstanding professional/interpersonal/customer service skills.
- Proven ability to seek out, coordinate, and appropriately disseminate information.
- Work well with staff at all levels of the organization as well as vendors, service providers, and other external constituents.
- Excellent communications skills preferred, including public speaking skills and strong marketing and sales orientation.
Additional Responsibilities
Education, Experience or Certifications:
Education:
- B.A., B.S. or advanced degree in business, economics, or another relevant field required.
Experience:
- Minimum five (5) years of experience in program management, community engagement, external relations, and grant administration preferred.
- Background with and/or exposure to small business training and issues across industries, including business formation, finance and accounting, human resources, and operations strongly preferred.
- Tracking outcomes, creating key performance indicator reports and dashboards, and managing budgets and programs preferred.
Required Documents:
The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Temporary Staff
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Pay Frequency
Hourly
Pay Rate Type
Hourly
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Pay Range
$50.00 - $80.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.
Benefits Eligible
This position is not eligible for benefits.
Posting Statement
The University of Chicago is an equal employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
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