University of Missouri Extension
Business Development Specialist
Position Description

LOCATION

Located in St. Louis, Missouri and serves the following counties in the East Central Region: St. Louis, Franklin, Jefferson, and St. Louis City.

SUMMARY

This position develops, provides, and evaluates business entrepreneurial education in the areas of business plans, marketing, management, accounting, finance, operations, human resources, strategic planning, government procurement, start-up and growth ventures, and other timely business related topics to assist current and new entrepreneurs become successful.

In addition, as a faculty member of University Extension, this position is responsible for developing and fostering community and academic partnerships, developing revenue generation opportunities, and actively participating in activities that improve economic and societal outcomes throughout Missouri.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Program Development and Delivery

• Plan and deliver community-based and adult educational programs in business subject-matter areas, as well as counsel and coach entrepreneurs and companies in starting, growing, and operating businesses that result in economic and societal outcomes. Ensure high customer satisfaction, client learning outcomes, and economic outcomes for new and existing entrepreneurial clients.
• Develop and/or customize programs to meet local needs ensuring teachings are based on research and meet high-priority needs. Programs may be delivered through a variety of media such as face-to-face workshops, web-based offerings, one-on-one counseling, and other methods using technologies that maximize outcomes.  
• Market educational programs and promote the mission of University of Missouri to area lenders, economic developers, chambers of commerce, county councils, and other appropriate partner organizations.
• Develop promotional materials, write articles, give presentations, and conduct public relations activities to effectively market educational offerings and MU Extension services to the local community.
• Work with educators to co-teach, as well as independently deliver seminars and other educational programs. Obtain trainers certification as necessary.
• Work in a team environment with faculty, staff, academic administrators, councils, and the community to ensure effective, positive, and professional coordination and delivery of educational programs that meet county, regional, and state-wide goals.
• Actively foster inclusion of diverse clients by delivering educational programs that represent the population diversity in the assigned counties. Diverse audiences may include racial, ethnic, underserved, women, veterans, and people with disabilities.

Program Goals and Evaluation

• Develop and execute an annual plan of work aligned with local, regional and state objectives of the business development program, in cooperation with regional director, program director, and colleagues.
• Work with supervisor, business development state office, and assigned teams to establish individual and team goals, ensuring local needs, regional goals, grant requirements, and partnership/stakeholder goals are met.
• Achieve goals in the areas of outcomes (impact), quantity (ie. # of clients, hours of counseling, etc.),  quality, stakeholder relations and revenue generation.
• Gather and document the impact of client counseling and training which may include government contracts, sales increases, job creations, loans obtained and equity attracted, businesses started, and other areas as identified by stakeholders and organizational impact analysis.
• Maintain data entry and client files on a monthly basis to provide data for individual, regional and statewide evaluation.
• Communicate and promote economic and societal impacts to key stakeholders, councils, administrators, and targeted decision makers.
• Receive programmatic leadership from the state business development office.

Resource Generation and Sustainability

• Seek out and develop external funding sources that are in alignment with organizational priorities, values, and mission including identifying reasonable and acceptable fee’s, new opportunities, appropriate grant or contract opportunities, and partnerships to provide growth opportunities for new and existing educational programs.
• Ensure compliance with grant/contract/other requirements and maintain fiscal accountability.

Relationships and Communication

• Collaborate effectively, within the higher education environment and with other partner organizations, to serve the general population and culturally diverse audiences through providing outstanding learning environments.
• Develop coalitions and partnerships with colleagues, individuals, and organizations to enhance the learning environment within the local community and state.
• Work as a team member of the University of Missouri Extension Faculty and the Business Development Programs, including the Missouri Procurement Assistance Centers, Missouri Small Business Development Center (MO SBDC) network and with other MO SBDC offices located at other Universities.
• Regularly demonstrate effective written and oral communication, public speaking, teaching, organizational, interpersonal, public relations, group facilitation, and technology skills to ensure high audience satisfaction and learning, as well as effective colleague relations.

Professional Expectations

• Keep up to date on research including current and future business trends that impact local and state business needs.
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities to remain competitive in government procurement, finance, management, marketing, demographic trends, curriculum development/delivery, and Extension faculty expectations.
• Participate in interdisciplinary teams, committees and task forces. May serve on committees and teams outside program area to meet organizational needs.
• Assume programmatic and administrative responsibilities as assigned, which may include serving as local County Program Director or subject matter expert as needed.
• To fulfill job responsibilities, regularly travel in-state utilizing own vehicle. Occasional out of state travel also required. Submit travel reimbursement paperwork on a monthly basis, ensuring compliance with travel policies.
• Work evenings and weekends as needed to meet the needs of clients, programming goals, and partnership expectations. Ensure open communication with colleagues regarding scheduling to maintain positive customer service.

Conduct all activities in accordance with the Civil Rights Acts, Title IX, Rehabilitation, Americans with Disabilities Act and local, state and region affirmative action plans.

As with all positions, involvement with other duties and responsibilities may be expected in order to support the mission and purpose of MU Extension.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

General supervision is received from an assigned University of Missouri Extension Administrative Director.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

An earned master's degree in business, engineering, business education, or related area with appropriate coursework exhibited is required.  Related areas include government procurement, marketing, finance, accounting, management, human resources, operations management, e-commerce or engineering.

Professional experience in applying and transferring research-based knowledge in above subject matter areas is expected. Experience in operating, managing and owning a small business, training, and/or consulting are preferred.   

Ideal candidate will have a diverse business background including marketing, finance, training, and entrepreneurial education and experiences.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Strategic Direction: http://extension.missouri.edu/about/21stcentury/index.html

Business Development website: www.missouribusiness.net

Branded program list: http://www.missouribusiness.net/training/index.asp

Faculty Core Competencies: http://extension.missouri.edu/pdo/corecompetencies.shtml

Regional and County Profile: http://extension.missouri.edu/ecregion/ , http://extension.missouri.edu/stlouis/ and http://oseda.missouri.edu

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		Human Resource Development hrdext@missouri.edu Last modified: 09/20/07
Equal opportunity is and shall be provided to all participants in Extension programs and activities, and for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or military organizations associated with the armed forces of the United States of America. To request ADA accommodations, please contact HR at (573) 882-4721.