Position: Center Director
Status-Full Time
Location-Palos Heights, IL
Founded in 1991, The Arab-American Business Professional Association promotes networking opportunities among the Arab American Community and provides tools and resources to create growth for small business owners and professionals. The Organization also serves to be the collective voice and advocate for Arab-American Small Business Owners, with issues that require the attention of Media, Government, and community organizing.
ABPA is currently accepting applications for the position of Center Director to lead our new Economic Development Center in Palos Heights, IL. The ABPA Economic Development Center is the host organization to the Illinois Small Business Development Center. The SBDC provides information, business guidance, training, programs, and other resources for startups, existing small businesses, and those who wish to exit or sell a business. The SBDC Director is responsible for the day-to-day management and operations of the SBDC, including advisory services to clients, oversight of budget activities and required reporting to state and/or federal funding partners. The SBDC Director will represent the SBDC program at a local and regional level within the economic development and business communities and collaborate closely with stakeholders throughout Cook County and Chicago.
Other duties and responsibilities include:
- Prepares annual budgets, and plans, and monitors the same throughout the year to ensure that established goals and objectives are achieved.
- Establishes work assignments of professional staff and provides guidance, professional development, and work direction as required.
- Develops proposals, secures sponsorships, and manages specific initiatives ABPA is currently developing.
- Analyzes results of region-wide operations, develops new programs, and identifies and purchases business/management tools.
- May meet regularly with area economic development organizations and small business groups to promote the institute and support small businesses.
- As required by the unit, participates in client consulting sessions, and performs financial, operational, and administrative analyses; prepares recommendations.
- Participates in the development and implementation of the strategic planning process for the unit.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
The ideal applicant will:
- Be personally responsible for meeting their individually assigned advising metrics as well as ensuring that the center’s advising staff achieves their assigned advising metrics.
- Have successful entrepreneurial experience in launching and operating a new venture including performing financial, operational, and administrative analyses or working with entrepreneurs in the same capacity.
- In addition to having personal impact metrics and oversight of the Center’s goals the applicant will build relationships with private entities, chambers, corporations, public agencies, and the entrepreneurial and banking/investment communities; Complete computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; Knowledge and experience in program management.
- Experience using various social media platforms and targeting desired audiences.
- Familiar with designing marketing material such as Photoshop or Canva.
- Attention to detail and ability to handle multiple projects.
- Business development experience.
- Professional staff supervision experience.
- Experience and skill in public speaking.
Qualifications
Bachelors and at least 5 years’ experience professional experience
Interested applicants must send resume to info@abpaillinois.com for consideration.
