Business Director Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Kentucky
Business director visa sponsorship jobs in Kentucky are concentrated in Louisville, Lexington, and the state's growing logistics and healthcare sectors. Major employers like Humana, Kindred Healthcare, Ashland, and Tempur Sealy operate regional headquarters here, creating director-level openings that qualify as specialty occupations for international candidates pursuing H-1B visa or green card sponsorship.
Find Business Director JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 57+ Business Director Jobs in Kentucky with Visa Sponsorship
See all 57+ Business Director Jobs in Kentucky with Visa Sponsorship
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Business Director Jobs in Kentucky with Visa Sponsorship.
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 Director Job Roles in Kentucky
See all 57+ Business Director Jobs in Kentucky
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Business Director Jobs in KentuckyBusiness Director Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies in Kentucky sponsor visas for business directors?
Kentucky's largest visa-sponsoring employers for director-level roles include Humana, Kindred Healthcare, Tempur Sealy, Ashland, and Lexmark. Louisville's healthcare and financial services clusters, alongside Lexington's manufacturing and technology firms, generate the most director-level LCA filings. Toyota's Georgetown plant and Amazon's expanding Kentucky distribution network also support senior operations and business director roles with H-1B sponsorship history.
What visa types realistically apply to business director roles in Kentucky?
Business director roles in Kentucky qualify as specialty occupations requiring a directly related bachelor's degree, making them eligible for H-1B sponsorship. The H-1B is the primary path, subject to an annual cap and selection process. Candidates already holding H-1B status can transfer to a new Kentucky employer once the new petition is filed. EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based green cards are also viable for long-term permanent residence, typically requiring PERM labor certification. TN visa does not cover this role.
How to find business director visa sponsorship jobs in Kentucky?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find business director visa sponsorship jobs in Kentucky. The platform lists employers with verified sponsorship history, searchable by role and location across Kentucky cities including Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green. Filtering for director-level operations roles in sectors like healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing surfaces employers actively filing for positions comparable to business director functions.
Which Kentucky cities have the most business director sponsorship opportunities?
Louisville is Kentucky's primary hub for business director sponsorship activity, driven by its concentration of healthcare corporations, financial services firms, and logistics companies along the I-65 corridor. Lexington is second, with manufacturing, biotech, and university-affiliated employers. Bowling Green supports director roles in automotive manufacturing, particularly tied to the Corvette assembly plant and its supplier network. Covington, across from Cincinnati, also offers cross-market director opportunities.
Are there state-specific factors that affect business director sponsorship in Kentucky?
Kentucky's economy is heavily weighted toward healthcare, logistics, bourbon production, and automotive manufacturing, so business director roles most frequently arise within these industries. University of Louisville and University of Kentucky generate local talent pipelines but also engage international candidates for director-level administrative and research-adjacent roles. The state has no additional immigration requirements beyond federal standards, but employers in regulated industries like healthcare and pharmaceuticals may have longer internal approval timelines for sponsoring international directors.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored business director 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.