UMKC's Innovation Center

Founded in 2003, KCSourceLink's vision is to make the Kansas City region the number one best place to start and grow a business in the United States by providing aspiring, emerging and existing small business owners easy access to the support they need to grow. KCSourceLink connects the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kansas City through a network of 230 business-building resources (Resource Partners) providing support to aspiring and existing business owners across the 18-ounty, bistate Kansas City region. The program expands across the state of Missouri through an additional 600 MOSourceLink partners. The goal of the program is to meet and directly connect entrepreneurs to these resources.

We are seeking a highly energetic and community-focused individual to actively engage with current and prospective business owners by attending local events in the Kansas City region and across Missouri independently and in collaboration with Resource Partners. As a key liaison, you will play a crucial role in connecting entrepreneurs to essential resources, fostering growth, and scaling their business. Your dedication to community advocacy, personalized support, and impactful networking will contribute to the success and vibrancy of our local business ecosystem.

The responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Conduct outreach initiatives to identify potential entrepreneurs, ensuring inclusivity and diversity in the support provided
• Actively participate in the local community by attending events, meetings and engaging with various stakeholders to intentionally connect aspiring and existing entrepreneurs and business owners to Resource Partners
• Evaluate client needs through face-to-face meetings, phone and email interactions, guiding them in connecting with essential resources to start and grow their businesses; monitor referrals to ensure quality assistance
• Form relationships with the Resource Partners within the KCSourceLink and MOSourceLink networks, understanding their offerings and establishing partnerships for the benefit of aspiring and existing business owner
• Build a robust network of contacts within the community and the business ecosystem to facilitate better access to opportunities and support
• Identify success stories
• Enter accurate client, resource, referral and contact data into the KCSourceLink and MOSourceLink database
• Research and promote entrepreneurial resources and events in the Kansas City region and state of Missouri
• Support marketing and communications initiatives

EXPERIENCE/SKILLS/ATTRIBUTES:

The successful candidate must:

• Have excellent face-to-face, telephone and email customer service skills.
• Have strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Be detail oriented with demonstrated administrative skills.
• Demonstrate a proven ability to listen to the needs of people, assess their needs and refer to appropriate resource.
• Understand of the needs of entrepreneurs at various levels; have the ability to learn the capabilities of the service providers within the network.
• Have demonstrated skill in working with partners.
• Possess strong skills in Windows, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Have ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Work with a high degree of integrity and hold high ethical standards.
• Must be able to work some early mornings, evenings and weekends (when community events typically occur).
• Maintain professional demeanor and professional attire.
• Must have car and valid driver's license.
• Travel across the state of Missouri required, approximately 20% of the time.
• This is not a remote job, being in the office or in the community is required.

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and 1 year of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Bachelor's degree is preferred, in business, communications or sociology or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Two years of customer service or sales experience preferred.

Bilingual candidates (English and Spanish) are encouraged to apply.

$17.96/hr - $21.63/hr commensurate on experience, education, and internal equity

Application review will begin on Monday, March 4th, 2024. Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at

Values Commitment
We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person's success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit or call Human Resources at 816-235-1621.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.