Mid Level Business Development Center Manager Jobs
Mid level business development center manager jobs go to professionals ready to own operational workflows, coach BDC representatives, and drive performance decisions without day-to-day supervision. Hiring runs across Energy, Education, and Manufacturing, with a mix of on-site, remote, and hybrid openings, and employers like Suburban Propane, Old National Bank, and University of Alabama competing for candidates at this level now.
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The Regional Director of the University of Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC) serves as a strategic leader for small-business and entrepreneurship support across the region. This role is responsible for the administrative, fiscal, and operational success of the center, ensuring the delivery of high-impact business counseling and training. The Director requires a blend of financial, entrepreneurial, advisory, and leadership capability, with demonstrated understanding of the challenges facing business owners and growth-oriented ventures. By integrating SBDC services with university resources and regional stakeholders, the Director drives measurable economic growth, job creation, and capital infusion throughout the service area.
The position reports to the Director of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and plays a key role in advancing the center’s mission of entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic impact across Johnson, Cedar, Poweshiek, Iowa, and Washington counties.
The position combines direct client advising, center leadership, regional partnership development, program innovation, and administrative oversight. The successful candidate must effectively manage competing priorities while maintaining an active advisory presence, fostering strategic partnerships, ensuring compliance with SBDC and SBA requirements, and demonstrating measurable impact for businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the region.
This position is eligible for hybrid work within Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually and must comply with the remote work program and related policies.
Key Areas of Responsibilities & Specific Job Tasks
- Lead the delivery of high-quality SBDC advising and support services for a varied portfolio of businesses, including startups, growth-stage firms, and community-based small businesses.
- Provide strategic business counseling related to business planning, growth strategies, commercialization, operations, and capital readiness.
- Serve as a senior advisor to entrepreneurs, business owners, faculty, researchers, and innovation-driven ventures.
- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with businesses, economic development organizations, financial institutions, educational partners, and government agencies.
- Establish and maintain referral networks to expand resources available to clients.
- Represent the SBDC through workshops, speaking engagements, advising sessions, and community events.
- Ensure visibility of SBDC programs through marketing, communications, and public outreach efforts.
- Promote SBDC services through presentations, events, and strategic partnerships.
- Provide confidential business consulting services to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
- Assist clients with business planning, growth strategies, and operational development.
- Support clients in securing financing, investment capital, and business resources.
- Develop and manage budgets to support SBDC operations and programming.
- Prepare and administer grants, contracts, and funding agreements.
- Ensure compliance with SBA, university, state, and federal requirements.
- Provide leadership and direction for SBDC operations and staff. Recruit, train, supervise, coach, and evaluate staff and consultants.
To obtain the full job description including key areas of responsibility, technical competencies, and desirable qualifications, please contact adrian-cunningham@uiowa.edu
Get to know the Tippie College of Business
Since 1847, the Tippie College of Business has cultivated a legacy of innovation, thought leadership, and excellence in business education. We have nearly 6,000 students within undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs spanning six academic departments—accounting, business analytics, economics, finance, marketing, and management and entrepreneurship. We are eight centers and institutes, and four student-managed endowment funds. We’re over 59,000 alumni—and growing. Tippie is regularly listed in top business school rankings. We also hold the gold standard of accreditations, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and have maintained the accreditation for over 95 years (since 1923).
But who we are is not just in the curriculum we curate—it’s also in the community we create. Our leadership embraces our responsibility to pursue academic excellence within a welcoming environment where every student can thrive. More than 150 years after our founding, we continue to be a place where students can grow and flourish in their professional or academic careers.
Education Requirement
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Entrepreneurship, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Required Qualifications
- A minimum of 5 - 8 years of progressive experience in business consulting, commercial lending, or corporate management, including at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
- Demonstrated experience owning, operating, managing, or advising small-to-medium-sized businesses, including responsibility for business operations, strategic planning, growth initiatives, or financial performance.
- Extensive experience in business consulting, economic development, commercial lending, entrepreneurship support, or business management.
- Demonstrated experience analyzing financial statements, developing budgets, evaluating business performance, and applying accounting and financial management principles.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic guidance and technical assistance to business owners and organizational leaders.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, including experience conveying complex business, financial, or economic information to varied audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective partnerships with businesses, community organizations, financial institutions, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Ability to travel and must possess a valid driver’s license and meet and maintain standards of the UI Fleet Safety Program.
- Ability to foster a welcoming and respectful workplace environment while recognizing personal differences. Ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and respectful manner.
Desired Qualifications
- Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Economic Development, or a related field.
- Professional certification such as CPA, CMA, CEcD, or similar credential.
- Experience working within or alongside a university, research institution, healthcare system, or similarly complex organization.
- Familiarity with innovation-driven or research-based companies, including exposure to commercialization, life sciences, healthcare, or regulated industries.
- Experience with SBDC, SBA, or other publicly funded business support or economic development programs.
- Prior experience supervising staff, advisors, or contractors.
- Comfort working in a data-driven environment that includes outcomes tracking and reporting.
Application Details
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. For questions, contact Adrian Cunningham at adrian-cunningham@uiowa.edu.
Benefits Highlights
Regular salaried position. Pay Level 6A. Located in Iowa City, Iowa.
Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.
For more information about Why Iowa? Click here.
About Iowa
Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success. Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation. Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.
- Classification Title: Economic Dev Assoc Director
- Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
- Schedule: Full-time
- Work Modality Options: Hybrid within Iowa
- Pay Level: 6A
- Organization: College of Business
- Contact Name: Adrian Cunningham
- Contact Email: adrian-cunningham@uiowa.edu
The Regional Director of the University of Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC) serves as a strategic leader for small-business and entrepreneurship support across the region. This role is responsible for the administrative, fiscal, and operational success of the center, ensuring the delivery of high-impact business counseling and training. The Director requires a blend of financial, entrepreneurial, advisory, and leadership capability, with demonstrated understanding of the challenges facing business owners and growth-oriented ventures. By integrating SBDC services with university resources and regional stakeholders, the Director drives measurable economic growth, job creation, and capital infusion throughout the service area.
The position reports to the Director of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and plays a key role in advancing the center’s mission of entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic impact across Johnson, Cedar, Poweshiek, Iowa, and Washington counties.
The position combines direct client advising, center leadership, regional partnership development, program innovation, and administrative oversight. The successful candidate must effectively manage competing priorities while maintaining an active advisory presence, fostering strategic partnerships, ensuring compliance with SBDC and SBA requirements, and demonstrating measurable impact for businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the region.
This position is eligible for hybrid work within Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually and must comply with the remote work program and related policies.
Key Areas of Responsibilities & Specific Job Tasks
- Lead the delivery of high-quality SBDC advising and support services for a varied portfolio of businesses, including startups, growth-stage firms, and community-based small businesses.
- Provide strategic business counseling related to business planning, growth strategies, commercialization, operations, and capital readiness.
- Serve as a senior advisor to entrepreneurs, business owners, faculty, researchers, and innovation-driven ventures.
- Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with businesses, economic development organizations, financial institutions, educational partners, and government agencies.
- Establish and maintain referral networks to expand resources available to clients.
- Represent the SBDC through workshops, speaking engagements, advising sessions, and community events.
- Ensure visibility of SBDC programs through marketing, communications, and public outreach efforts.
- Promote SBDC services through presentations, events, and strategic partnerships.
- Provide confidential business consulting services to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
- Assist clients with business planning, growth strategies, and operational development.
- Support clients in securing financing, investment capital, and business resources.
- Develop and manage budgets to support SBDC operations and programming.
- Prepare and administer grants, contracts, and funding agreements.
- Ensure compliance with SBA, university, state, and federal requirements.
- Provide leadership and direction for SBDC operations and staff. Recruit, train, supervise, coach, and evaluate staff and consultants.
To obtain the full job description including key areas of responsibility, technical competencies, and desirable qualifications, please contact adrian-cunningham@uiowa.edu
Get to know the Tippie College of Business
Since 1847, the Tippie College of Business has cultivated a legacy of innovation, thought leadership, and excellence in business education. We have nearly 6,000 students within undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs spanning six academic departments—accounting, business analytics, economics, finance, marketing, and management and entrepreneurship. We are eight centers and institutes, and four student-managed endowment funds. We’re over 59,000 alumni—and growing. Tippie is regularly listed in top business school rankings. We also hold the gold standard of accreditations, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and have maintained the accreditation for over 95 years (since 1923).
But who we are is not just in the curriculum we curate—it’s also in the community we create. Our leadership embraces our responsibility to pursue academic excellence within a welcoming environment where every student can thrive. More than 150 years after our founding, we continue to be a place where students can grow and flourish in their professional or academic careers.
Education Requirement
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Entrepreneurship, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Required Qualifications
- A minimum of 5 - 8 years of progressive experience in business consulting, commercial lending, or corporate management, including at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
- Demonstrated experience owning, operating, managing, or advising small-to-medium-sized businesses, including responsibility for business operations, strategic planning, growth initiatives, or financial performance.
- Extensive experience in business consulting, economic development, commercial lending, entrepreneurship support, or business management.
- Demonstrated experience analyzing financial statements, developing budgets, evaluating business performance, and applying accounting and financial management principles.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic guidance and technical assistance to business owners and organizational leaders.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, including experience conveying complex business, financial, or economic information to varied audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective partnerships with businesses, community organizations, financial institutions, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
- Ability to travel and must possess a valid driver’s license and meet and maintain standards of the UI Fleet Safety Program.
- Ability to foster a welcoming and respectful workplace environment while recognizing personal differences. Ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and respectful manner.
Desired Qualifications
- Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Economic Development, or a related field.
- Professional certification such as CPA, CMA, CEcD, or similar credential.
- Experience working within or alongside a university, research institution, healthcare system, or similarly complex organization.
- Familiarity with innovation-driven or research-based companies, including exposure to commercialization, life sciences, healthcare, or regulated industries.
- Experience with SBDC, SBA, or other publicly funded business support or economic development programs.
- Prior experience supervising staff, advisors, or contractors.
- Comfort working in a data-driven environment that includes outcomes tracking and reporting.
Application Details
In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission:
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. For questions, contact Adrian Cunningham at adrian-cunningham@uiowa.edu.
Benefits Highlights
Regular salaried position. Pay Level 6A. Located in Iowa City, Iowa.
Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans.
For more information about Why Iowa? Click here.
About Iowa
Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success. Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance. Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation. Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.
- Classification Title: Economic Dev Assoc Director
- Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
- Schedule: Full-time
- Work Modality Options: Hybrid within Iowa
- Pay Level: 6A
- Organization: College of Business
- Contact Name: Adrian Cunningham
- Contact Email: adrian-cunningham@uiowa.edu
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Mid Level Business Development Center Manager Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a mid level business development center manager job?
Position your experience around measurable outcomes: appointment conversion rates you improved, team performance you influenced, or processes you redesigned. Highlight comfort managing BDC staff, analyzing CRM data, and coordinating across sales and service departments. Applications that speak to cross-functional ownership and concrete results, rather than just task completion, stand out to hiring managers recruiting at this level.
Which companies hire mid level business development center managers?
Companies hiring mid level business development center managers right now include Suburban Propane, Old National Bank, and University of Alabama, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Automotive dealership groups, multi-location service organizations, and companies with dedicated inbound sales operations tend to hire most actively at this level.
Are there remote mid level business development center manager jobs?
Yes, though availability depends on the employer and industry. About 33% of mid level business development center manager openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting growing adoption of virtual BDC models where phone, chat, and email outreach can be managed off-site. On-site roles remain common at dealerships and service-intensive businesses.
How do I move up to a mid level business development center manager role?
Moving into a mid level business development center manager role typically means building a foundation as a BDC representative or coordinator, then gradually taking ownership of scheduling, training, or reporting functions. Demonstrating that you can hold team performance accountable, manage workflows independently, and translate data into decisions positions you as ready for a manager-level title over time.
Which industries hire the most mid level business development center managers?
Mid Level business development center manager roles concentrate in Energy, Education, and Manufacturing, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. These sectors rely heavily on structured lead follow-up and customer contact operations, which creates sustained demand for experienced managers who can run a BDC function at scale.