Department
SIP Polsky Exchange - Administration
About the Department
The Polsky Center’s mission is to advance innovative ideas and technologies from the University of Chicago ecosystem to the world. Through education, resources, and programs, the Polsky Center commercializes discoveries, partners with companies, and attracts venture capital. The Polsky Center runs a top-ranked business accelerator, the Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge; operates a multi-disciplinary co-working space called the Polsky Exchange; and manages the George Shultz Innovation Fund that invests in early-stage ventures. Finally, the Polsky Center houses the University of Chicago’s technology transfer unit, which manages all University-based intellectual property originating from faculty research and discoveries that can be licensed to industry partners and investors.
The Polsky Exchange is a 21,000 square-foot, multi-disciplinary co-working space and small business incubator. Through the Polsky Exchange and the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Polsky Exchange, local business owners gain access to experienced advisors, educational programs, and a network of resources designed to strengthen operations, expand opportunities, and build long-term success. Members include business owners and innovators in the community, as well as UChicago students, faculty, and staff who are actively working on entrepreneurial ventures or involved in Polsky Center programs. The Polsky Exchange is located on Hyde Park’s vibrant 53rd Street corridor and open for member co-working and programming five days a week.
Job Information
Job Summary:
The Temporary SBDC Director is responsible for all day-to-day operations of the Small Business Development Center at Polsky Exchange, including providing business advising, training, and educational services and events for business owners, tracking performance according to State of Illinois metrics, hiring and managing a team of part-time business advisors, and budget compliance. The Temporary Director will maintain a close working relationship with community organizations including other SBDCs in the network, businesses, internal University departments, and economic development and industry leaders to align resources, programming, and training. This Temporary position reports to the Executive Director of the Polsky Exchange. This position is grant-funded and contingent on continuing funds provided by the State of Illinois and the federal Small Business Administration.
Responsibilities:
Directly advise and train small business clients, assisting businesses in developing growth strategies, performing financial reviews, making recommendations using organizational tools/templates for business plans, developing sales and marketing strategies, and other business functions.
Hire and manage a team of 2-10 SBDC advisors, depending on available funding.
Assist small businesses in solving problems in all areas that support small business growth and expansion, innovation, and increased productivity.
Identify high-impact client prospects to initiate and complete advising and achieve metrics required by the grant including facilitating access to capital, supporting new business starts, job creation and retention, and other key performance indicators determined by the State of Illinois.
Manage CRM activity, including but not limited to, creating client profiles, organizing client files, ensuring advisors enter advising hours accurately, outreach to inactive members, and reporting on metrics to the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, following standard reporting procedures and meeting monthly goal.
Plan and coordinate programs and activities consistent with the goals and objectives of the Illinois Small Business Development Center.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with community groups, agencies, educational institutions, and businesses, especially other SBDCs in the network.
Attend…