Business Development Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Kentucky
Kentucky's business development job market is anchored by major employers like Humana, Ashland, and LG&E and KU Energy, with Louisville serving as the primary hiring hub. Lexington's growing healthcare and technology sectors also generate sponsorship opportunities. Companies here file H-1B visa and L-1 visa petitions for business development professionals with specialized industry expertise.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Business Development Center Director
Requisition Number: RE56098
Working Title: State Director
Department Name: 81045:Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Grade Level: 00
Salary Range:
Type of Position: Staff
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education: See position qualifications/posting details
Required Related Experience: See position qualifications/posting details
Required License/Registration/Certification: None
Physical Requirements: Sitting for long periods of time. Travel.
Shift: Monday-Friday; 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; and some evenings/weekends occasionally.
Job Summary
The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) State Director is a dynamic statewide leadership role focused on advancing entrepreneurship, strengthening small businesses, and driving economic opportunity across the Commonwealth. The State Director provides executive leadership for the Kentucky SBDC network and translates its mission, vision, and strategy into impactful programs, services, and annual priorities. This position oversees network operations, program performance, and financial affairs; ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, federal grant requirements, national accreditation standards, and cooperative agreement terms; and serves as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s principal point of contact for the network. The State Director sets a clear vision for excellence, leads and develops a talented statewide team, stewards personnel and financial resources, expands and strengthens strategic partnerships and funding opportunities, and continually enhances the delivery of high-quality services to Kentucky’s entrepreneurs and small businesses. The successful candidate will foster a culture of integrity, accountability, collaboration, transparency, and high performance while positioning the Kentucky SBDC as a trusted and innovative resource for businesses throughout the Commonwealth.
About the Role
Provides executive leadership, oversight, and operational direction for the statewide Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in accordance with federal SBDC requirements and the cooperative agreement. The State Director dedicates not less than 75 percent of their time to the supervision and control of SBDC operations and is vested with the authority necessary to direct personnel, budgets, and expenditures. Leads the strategic and operational administration of the SBDC, working collaboratively with the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Cooperative Extension, other University units, public and private-sector partners, and the statewide SBDC service network to strengthen small-business development, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity throughout Kentucky.
Why Join Us
At the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, you’ll find a community that values collaboration, growth, and recognition. Benefits of joining our team include:
- Exceptional benefits package.
- A formal mentoring program to support your professional development.
- Access to a staff development fund for continued learning and skill building.
- Dedicated staff recognition programs that celebrate your contributions.
- A shared commitment to making the University of Kentucky the University of, for, and with Kentucky.
Join us in shaping the future of teaching and learning—where innovation meets impact.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
- Demonstrated experience managing complex programs, multiple work units or a statewide network, including personnel, budgets, performance, and compliance responsibilities.
- Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships, negotiate agreements, secure resources, communicate with varied stakeholders, and exercise executive-level independent judgment.
- Proficiency with common productivity, financial, reporting, and management information systems.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? Yes
Preferred Education/Experience
- Knowledge of the SBDC program, SBA cooperative agreements, federal grant administration, 2 CFR part 200, and SBDC accreditation standards.
- Experience leading a statewide, multi-site, university-hosted, public-service, economic-development, or entrepreneurship-support organization.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising, grant writing, financial stewardship, organizational improvement, and measurable economic-impact performance.
- Experience collaborating with universities, Cooperative Extension, government agencies, chambers of commerce, regional economic-development organizations, and private-sector partners.
- Nine years of relevant management, administrative, operational, grant-funded program, economic-development, or small-business development experience.
Deadline to Apply: 11/12/2026
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Job Title: Business Development Center Director
Requisition Number: RE56098
Working Title: State Director
Department Name: 81045:Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Grade Level: 00
Salary Range:
Type of Position: Staff
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Required Education: See position qualifications/posting details
Required Related Experience: See position qualifications/posting details
Required License/Registration/Certification: None
Physical Requirements: Sitting for long periods of time. Travel.
Shift: Monday-Friday; 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; and some evenings/weekends occasionally.
Job Summary
The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) State Director is a dynamic statewide leadership role focused on advancing entrepreneurship, strengthening small businesses, and driving economic opportunity across the Commonwealth. The State Director provides executive leadership for the Kentucky SBDC network and translates its mission, vision, and strategy into impactful programs, services, and annual priorities. This position oversees network operations, program performance, and financial affairs; ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, federal grant requirements, national accreditation standards, and cooperative agreement terms; and serves as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s principal point of contact for the network. The State Director sets a clear vision for excellence, leads and develops a talented statewide team, stewards personnel and financial resources, expands and strengthens strategic partnerships and funding opportunities, and continually enhances the delivery of high-quality services to Kentucky’s entrepreneurs and small businesses. The successful candidate will foster a culture of integrity, accountability, collaboration, transparency, and high performance while positioning the Kentucky SBDC as a trusted and innovative resource for businesses throughout the Commonwealth.
About the Role
Provides executive leadership, oversight, and operational direction for the statewide Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in accordance with federal SBDC requirements and the cooperative agreement. The State Director dedicates not less than 75 percent of their time to the supervision and control of SBDC operations and is vested with the authority necessary to direct personnel, budgets, and expenditures. Leads the strategic and operational administration of the SBDC, working collaboratively with the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Cooperative Extension, other University units, public and private-sector partners, and the statewide SBDC service network to strengthen small-business development, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity throughout Kentucky.
Why Join Us
At the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, you’ll find a community that values collaboration, growth, and recognition. Benefits of joining our team include:
- Exceptional benefits package.
- A formal mentoring program to support your professional development.
- Access to a staff development fund for continued learning and skill building.
- Dedicated staff recognition programs that celebrate your contributions.
- A shared commitment to making the University of Kentucky the University of, for, and with Kentucky.
Join us in shaping the future of teaching and learning—where innovation meets impact.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
- Demonstrated experience managing complex programs, multiple work units or a statewide network, including personnel, budgets, performance, and compliance responsibilities.
- Demonstrated ability to develop partnerships, negotiate agreements, secure resources, communicate with varied stakeholders, and exercise executive-level independent judgment.
- Proficiency with common productivity, financial, reporting, and management information systems.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? Yes
Preferred Education/Experience
- Knowledge of the SBDC program, SBA cooperative agreements, federal grant administration, 2 CFR part 200, and SBDC accreditation standards.
- Experience leading a statewide, multi-site, university-hosted, public-service, economic-development, or entrepreneurship-support organization.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising, grant writing, financial stewardship, organizational improvement, and measurable economic-impact performance.
- Experience collaborating with universities, Cooperative Extension, government agencies, chambers of commerce, regional economic-development organizations, and private-sector partners.
- Nine years of relevant management, administrative, operational, grant-funded program, economic-development, or small-business development experience.
Deadline to Apply: 11/12/2026
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Business Development Job Roles in Kentucky
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Search Business Development Jobs in KentuckyBusiness Development Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for business development roles in Kentucky?
Louisville-based Humana is among the most active sponsors for business development professionals in Kentucky, given its scale in health insurance and managed care. Ashland Inc., headquartered in Covington, and regional financial institutions like Stock Yards Bank also appear in sponsorship filings. Manufacturing firms in the Bluegrass region, including Toyota's Kentucky operations, occasionally sponsor for business development and strategic partnership roles tied to their supplier networks.
Which visa types are most common for business development roles in Kentucky?
The H-1B is the most common visa for business development roles in Kentucky, typically applied to positions requiring a degree in business administration, marketing, or a related field. The L-1B is used when multinationals transfer employees with specialized knowledge into Kentucky offices. Professionals from Australia may qualify for the E-3 visa, and Canadian and Mexican nationals may be eligible under the TN visa in a qualifying business category.
Which cities in Kentucky have the most business development sponsorship jobs?
Louisville is by far the leading city for business development sponsorship in Kentucky, driven by its concentration of healthcare, logistics, and financial services employers. Lexington is a secondary hub, with opportunities linked to its healthcare systems, University of Kentucky research partnerships, and technology firms. Covington, directly across from Cincinnati, benefits from cross-border corporate activity, particularly from companies with regional headquarters in the Northern Kentucky corridor.
How to find business development visa sponsorship jobs in Kentucky?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, so you can search business development roles in Kentucky without sorting through positions that don't offer work authorization support. The platform surfaces roles from employers who have a documented history of sponsoring work visas, which is particularly useful in Kentucky where sponsorship volume is more concentrated in specific industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and financial services than spread evenly across the state.
Are there any Kentucky-specific factors that affect business development visa sponsorship?
Kentucky's prevailing wage requirements under the H-1B program are determined by the Department of Labor using regional data for Louisville and Lexington metro areas, which generally reflect lower benchmarks than coastal markets. This can make sponsorship more accessible for some employers. The University of Kentucky and University of Louisville produce international MBA graduates who often seek OPT-to-sponsorship pathways, creating a pipeline that some Kentucky employers have actively engaged with for business development hiring.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored business development jobs in Kentucky?
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.