Washington State SBDC Director

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

November 15, 2026

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

1155-NN_ADMINPRO - Director

Business Title:

Washington State SBDC Director

Employee Type:

Admin. Professional

Position Details:

The Opportunity:

The SBDC Director serves as the lead executive and chief administrator for the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network housed within the Office of Research. This position is responsible for statewide leadership, strategic direction, operational performance, fiscal stewardship, and compliance with the requirements of the U.S. Small Business Administration, funding partners, Washington State University, and applicable federal and state regulations. The SBDC Director is accountable for achieving economic impact outcomes through the delivery of high-quality business advising, training, capital access, technology commercialization support, and other services that advance small business growth, job creation, and job retention throughout Washington State. The SBDC Director directs, coordinates, and manages a multi-location statewide business assistance network and maintains effective relationships with public and private stakeholders essential to successful program operations. Must be willing and able to travel regularly throughout Washington State and occasionally nationally to represent the Washington SBDC Network, attend meetings, conferences, training programs, accreditation activities, and engage with service centers, funding partners, and stakeholders.

Job Functions:

40% - Program Development

35% - Program Outreach

20% - Administration

5% - Other

Additional Information:

This is a full-time (100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime exempt.

Monthly Salary: $8,338.26 - $13,319.56 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications:

• Positions require a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and six (6) years of progressively responsible relevant experience, which has included at least three (3) years of managerial experience. Any combination of relevant education and professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year‐for‐year basis. A Master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the required experience. Education and experience can be tailored to fit the specific organizational entity/directorial assignment.
• Demonstrated experience in the delivery of business development, management, and/or technical services to the public or small businesses.
• Experience preparing and managing budgets.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and desire to promote diversity.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a broad constituency.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field.
• Experience in a Small Business Development Center.
• Experience building sustained partnerships, coalition building and/or stakeholder communication.
• Experience managing professional employees.
• Experience obtaining extramural funding and/or fundraising.
• Experience with program implementation through sub-contractors.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Department/College/Area/ Campus - For more information about the great work we are doing and to view our mission and values, please visit our website: Washington State University | Office of Research.

Area/College: Office of Research
Department Name: Washington Small Business Development Center
Location: Spokane Lead Center

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1) Resume
2) Cover Letter

External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.
Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected].

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/