Regional Business Director Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa
Regional business director roles in Iowa draw sponsors from Des Moines-based financial services firms, insurance giants like Principal Financial and Nationwide, and agribusiness operations anchored in Cedar Rapids and Waterloo. Employers in healthcare, manufacturing, and crop sciences regularly seek experienced directors to lead multi-state Midwest territories from Iowa hubs.
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Get Access To All JobsThe 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.
Additional Information
- Classification Title: Economic Dev Assoc Director
- Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
- Schedule: Full-time
- Work Modality Options: Hybrid within Iowa
Compensation
- Pay Level: 6A
Contact Information
- 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.
Additional Information
- Classification Title: Economic Dev Assoc Director
- Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
- Schedule: Full-time
- Work Modality Options: Hybrid within Iowa
Compensation
- Pay Level: 6A
Contact Information
- Organization: College of Business
- Contact Name: Adrian Cunningham
- Contact Email: adrian-cunningham@uiowa.edu
Regional Business Director Job Roles in Iowa
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Search Regional Business Director Jobs in IowaRegional Business Director Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies in Iowa sponsor visas for regional business directors?
Iowa's largest visa sponsors for senior operations and business leadership roles include Principal Financial Group, Transamerica, Collins Aerospace, Hy-Vee, and John Deere's regional offices. Agribusiness firms such as Cargill and ADM also maintain Iowa-based director roles with documented sponsorship history. Des Moines and Cedar Rapids concentrate the most active sponsoring employers for regional business director positions in the state.
What visa types realistically fit regional business director roles in Iowa?
Regional business director roles typically require a bachelor's degree in business, management, or a related field, making them eligible for the H-1B visa as a specialty occupation. Workers already holding H-1B status can transfer to a new Iowa employer once the new petition is filed. Employer-sponsored EB-2 or EB-3 green cards are also a realistic path for long-term placements, using PERM labor certification. TN visa does not cover this role.
Which cities in Iowa have the most regional business director sponsorship jobs?
Des Moines accounts for the largest share of regional business director openings in Iowa, driven by its concentration of insurance, financial services, and corporate headquarters. Cedar Rapids is the second major hub, with strength in manufacturing and food processing. Iowa City sees demand from healthcare and university-affiliated organizations, while Davenport and the Quad Cities corridor offers additional openings tied to industrial and logistics employers.
How to find regional business director visa sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Migrate Mate lists Iowa employers with verified visa sponsorship history, searchable by role and city, so you can focus on regional business director openings at companies already familiar with the H-1B process. Because Iowa's sponsoring employers span Des Moines finance, Cedar Rapids manufacturing, and agribusiness statewide, narrowing your search by industry and location on Migrate Mate saves significant time compared to scanning general job boards.
Are there Iowa-specific considerations for regional business directors seeking visa sponsorship?
Iowa's dominant industries, insurance, agribusiness, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, favor directors with multi-state Midwest territory experience, which strengthens the specialty occupation argument for H-1B purposes. The state's lower cost of doing business also means smaller regional offices sometimes carry director-level headcount that comparable metros handle at VP level, so title alignment during the LCA filing matters. University of Iowa and Iowa State alumni networks are active pipelines into local sponsoring firms.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored regional business director jobs in Iowa?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.