GENERAL INFORMATION
The Northern California Small Business Development Center (NorCal SBDC) is one of the nation's largest economic development networks, serving 36 counties and playing a pivotal role in the region's economic development ecosystem. Through coordinated efforts across Northern California, NorCal SBDC connects entrepreneurs with the resources and support they need to launch, grow, and strengthen their businesses.
As one of the NorCal SBDC Area Centers, the East Bay Small Business Development Center (East Bay SBDC) serves entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Each year, the center provides no-cost business advising, training, and access to capital assistance to more than 1,000 businesses, helping them navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve long-term success.
The East Bay SBDC leadership team is responsible for ensuring Alameda and Contra Costa counties' small business community benefits from accessible, high-quality one-on-one advising, education, and resources while fostering strategic collaborations with lenders, partner organizations, and regional stakeholders that support a thriving local economy.
The NorCal SBDC network is hosted by Cal Poly Humboldt University's Sponsored Programs Foundation and funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), and other federal, state, and local grants and contracts.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Associate Director is a senior leadership role within the East Bay Small Business Development Center (East Bay SBDC), combining hands-on business advising with operational management. Reporting to the Area Director, this position cultivates strategic partnerships, supports advisor success, and advances the center's growth, visibility, and overall impact.
Working closely with the Area Director, the Associate Director guides day-to-day operations, oversees advisor activities, executes strategic initiatives, and ensures the delivery of high-quality services throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The position also helps expand referral networks, increase business outreach, enhance the client experience, and strengthen community engagement.
Balancing direct business advising with regional leadership responsibilities, the Associate Director maintains an active client portfolio while serving as a resource for advisors by providing guidance on complex client engagements and supporting advisor onboarding and development. Approximately 50% of the role is dedicated to advising entrepreneurs and small businesses, while the remaining time focuses on advancing regional partnerships, supporting advisor development, expanding business development opportunities, and representing the East Bay SBDC throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
The ideal candidate is an accomplished relationship-builder who thrives on helping entrepreneurs succeed,
cultivating strategic partnerships, mentoring advisors, and advancing initiatives that strengthen the East Bay’s business community.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Direct Business Advising
● Build and maintain an active portfolio of entrepreneurs and small business clients.
● Provide one-on-one advising and technical assistance in areas including startup planning, business strategy, financial analysis, capital readiness, growth planning, operational improvement, and resource navigation.
● Accurately document client activity, outcomes, and success metrics in the NeoSerra database.
Advisor Management & Center Performance
● Foster a collaborative, high-performing advising team of both staff and independent contractors, focused on client success, accountability, and continuous improvement.
● Support advisor onboarding, coaching and professional development initiatives.
● Facilitate advisor meetings, referral coordination, and knowledge-sharing activities.
● Serve as a resource for advisors on high-impact and complex client engagements, as needed.
● Promote service quality standards and consistent client experience across the advising team.
● Monitor center performance and support initiatives that improve client engagement, advising utilization, capital infusion, and economic impact outcomes.
Partnerships, Community Engagement & Outreach
● Develop and maintain relationships with lenders, chambers of commerce, municipalities, economic development organizations, educational institutions, and community stakeholders to increase awareness of SBDC services and generate client referrals.
● Identify and pursue collaborations, sponsorships, funding sources, and strategies to expand service delivery.
● Conduct outreach, networking, presentations, and community engagement activities that expand awareness of the East Bay SBDC and its services.
● Represent the East Bay SBDC at community meetings, workshops, conferences, networking events, and stakeholder forums.
Regional Coordination
● Assist the Area Director in implementing annual work plans and operational priorities.
● Participate in strategic planning efforts, regional meetings, and special projects.
● Collaborate with NorCal SBDC leadership, regional programs, and peer centers to support regional initiatives and organizational priorities.
● Perform other duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
● Strong understanding of entrepreneurship, small business growth, business lending, and the challenges facing businesses in diverse and rapidly evolving markets.
● Demonstrated success generating new business opportunities, cultivating referral networks, and expanding visibility within the community.
● Ability to communicate effectively and build rapport with diverse audiences, including business owners, executives, elected officials, community leaders, and other senior-level stakeholders.
● Proven ability to develop and maintain strategic relationships with lenders, economic development organizations, community partners, and referral organizations.
● Strong public speaking and presentation skills, with experience representing an organization at community events, meetings, and stakeholder engagements.
● Experience leading, coaching, and developing professional staff, advisors, consultants, or cross-functional teams.
● Strong organizational, project management, and performance management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and drive results.
● Proficiency using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, CRM systems, and other business productivity tools.
● Ability to prepare clear, concise, and professional reports, presentations, correspondence, and other business communications.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate the following:
● Robust knowledge of and experience using Artificial Intelligence (AI), with the ability to help others integrate AI into their work.
● Experience supervising professional staff, managing advisor teams, or leading programs with measurable performance objectives.
● Background in business advising, consulting, lending, entrepreneurial support, or technical assistance for small businesses.
● Demonstrated success building partnerships with local governments, chambers of commerce, lenders, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, or economic development agencies.
● Experience working within an SBDC network or as a small business owner.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
● Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Economic Development, Management, Public Administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
● Five+ years of progressively responsible management of staff and/or contractor teams.
● Strong working knowledge of the economic development landscape in Contra Costa and Alameda counties.
● Ability and willingness to work at evening and weekend events, as needed.
● Ability and willingness to travel throughout Northern California, including occasional overnight travel.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Qualified applicants should submit the following items via email to [email protected]
1. Cover letter
2. Résumé
3. Three professional reference contacts
4. Cal Poly Humboldt SPF Employee Information Form for Applicants
Position will remain open until filled. Apply before 5pm on July 30, 2026 to be included in the first round of application reviews.
Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other legally protected status. More information about Cal Poly Humboldt SPF’s Equal Employment Opportunity hiring can be found here.
SPF adheres to the policy of employment at will, which permits the employer or the employee to end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause or notice as permissible by law. No SPF representative other than the Executive Director may modify at-will status and/or provide any special arrangement concerning terms or conditions of employment in an individual case or generally and any such modification must be in a signed writing.
Maintaining eligibility to work in the United States is a condition of employment. Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation does not sponsor visas for staff, management, or temporary positions.
For assistance with the application process, please submit an Accommodation Request Form, which can be found here or contact ADA Coordinator at 707.826.3626 or confidential fax at 707.826.3625. For more information regarding accommodation, you may also visit the Cal Poly Humboldt Human Resources website at https://disability.humboldt.edu/. Individuals in need of a telecommunications relay service may contact the California Relay Service at 877.735.2929 TTY.
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered this position within Cal Poly Humboldt SPF. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current Humboldt SPF employees who apply for this position. Background checks will be conducted only after a conditional offer of employment and in compliance with California Fair Chance laws.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $95,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Education:
Experience:
- Management: 5 years (Required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Hayward, CA 94542
