ORGANIZATION
The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers is a statewide network of 18 college and university based entrepreneurial assistance centers headquartered at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The SBDCs utilize the resources of their affiliated academic institutions to provide training, information and confidential consulting to prospective entrepreneurs and existing small businesses throughout Pennsylvania. Additional information about the program is available at www.pasbdc.org.

The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia's largest private employer, is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities. We offer excellent benefits, competitive salaries, generous professional development opportunities, and an opportunity to work in an exciting surrounding that supports diversity.

About the Wharton School:
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania – founded in 1881 as the first collegiate business school – is recognized globally for intellectual leadership and ongoing innovation across every major discipline of business education. The most comprehensive source of business knowledge in the world, Wharton bridges research and practice through its broad engagement with the global business community. The School has more than 4,600 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students; more than 8,000 annual participants in executive education programs; and an alumni network of more than 81,000 graduates.

DUTIES
The State Director serves as program manager, principal investigator, and chief compliance officer for the network. Responsibilities include:

system-wide policy and program development and implementation;
direct supervision of the State Director’s Office;
program performance benchmarking and goal-setting;
grants contract management; and
sourcing of the necessary public and private resources required to successfully operate the program.

In addition, the position coordinates the production of necessary system-wide programmatic and financial documentation and data to ensure network compliance in accord with guidelines from state and federal funding partners. The State Director represents the interest of the Pennsylvania SBDC network in other state and national business development activities, forging meaningful collaborations with complementary offices and agencies.

QUALIFICATIONS
Successful candidates should possess a Master's degree in business or a related discipline from an accredited college or university. Eight (8) years of executive or management experience in business assistance agency administration, small business management of a substantial company, managerial business consulting, or a combination thereof, but including at least four (4) years of experience in supervision of employees. Demonstrated ability to provide executive leadership through strategic planning and partnership building to raise funds from public and/or private sources, to manage budgets, people, and projects effectively, and to serve as a public advocate. Knowledge of the business counseling process. Excellent verbal and written skills. Personal computer experience, including the use of spreadsheet and word processing software.

COMPENSTATION
Note: Position contingent upon renewed funding.

Salary Grade: 30 (for information on the university’s salary structure, please visit http://www.hr.upenn.edu/Compensation/SalaryOverview.aspx)

Benefits: Penn offers an excellent benefits package including: medical, dental, prescription coverage, vision care, life insurance, health care/dependent care pre-tax expense account, retirement plan with generous matching, tuition assistance benefits for employees and family, paid holidays, and generous vacation.

TO APPLY
Visit the University of Pennsylvania HR website (https://jobs.hr.upenn.edu/applicants) and search on Reference Code 071023370 or Other Title “State Director”. Posting end date: June 30, 2008.

The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer.

The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam Era Veteran or disabled veteran in the administration of educational policies, programs or activities; admissions policies; scholarship and loan awards; athletic, or other University administered programs or employment. Questions or complaints regarding this policy should be directed to: Executive Director, Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs, Sansom Place East, 3600 Chestnut Street, Suite 228, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6106 or by phone at (215) 898-6993 (Voice) or (215) 898-7803 (TDD), http://www.hr.upenn.edu.