SBDC Program Coordinator

Description

The City of Roanoke and the Greater Roanoke & New River Valley Small Business Development Center is seeking a dynamic, organized, and community-minded individual to serve as Program Coordinator. This position plays a central role in connecting entrepreneurs and small business owners to resources and programming, providing administrative and outreach support, and helping ensure smooth delivery and measurement of our services.

As Program Coordinator, you will support the SBDC's mission by being a first point of contact for clients, developing, coordinating and implementing workshops, events and programs, handling administrative functions, assisting with marketing and partner engagement, and supporting data collection and reporting. The Program Coordinator will work closely with SBDC advisors, leadership, and community stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as first point of contact for the public-by phone, email, in person-and provide basic introductory information about SBDC services.
• Greet visitors, route inquiries to appropriate staff, schedule appointments, and maintain a professional front-facing presence.
• Assist with planning, promotion, registration, and execution of workshops, events and programs.
• Develop, maintain, and distribute promotional materials (flyers, newsletters, social media posts, web content).
• Manage calendars for programs and staff, track registration, maintain attendance lists, and follow up as needed.
• Coordinate with external speakers, community partners, and referral agencies for events and programming.
• Conduct outreach to community partners, referral sources, and potential clients; represent the SBDC at local business or networking events.
• Perform research and information gathering on regional small business resources, industry trends, and economic data.
• Maintain and update the SBDC's resource library, website, CRM, and databases with accurate, timely information.
• Assist in compiling performance metrics, preparing reports, and helping monitor progress toward goals.
• Provide general administrative support-preparing correspondence, processing invoices, supply orders, and tracking program budgets.
• Collaborate with SBDC staff on marketing campaigns, partner initiatives, and continuous improvement of SBDC services.
  
  

Examples of Duties

Other Duties

• Assist Business Consultants with research; perform demographic studies; Analyze market and industry trends/statistics; Internet research as needed.
• Input data accurately and timely into the SBDC's CRM. Maintain area office records and files in accordance with SBA requirements.
• Perform support duties required for the operation of the regional office using standard SBDC equipment and software in the preparation of:
• Correspondence
• Presentation materials
• Purchase and check requests
• Invoices
• Supply orders
• Promotional Materials including brochures, flyers, newsletters, e-mails to promote workshops, events and programs
• Compile performance data and other information for completion of required reports. Represent the Director and the SBDC as needed. Assist Director and Business Advisors with other projects as needed.
• Support organizational improvement efforts through active involvement on internal committees, special projects, and various assessments as directed by the Director.
  
  

Typical Qualifications

• Minimum three (3) years of experience in program coordination, event planning, outreach/marketing, or related administrative roles.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to engage with business owners, community partners, and internal team members professionally and empathetically.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Canva, Zoom, and social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube).
• Experience with email marketing tools (e.g., Constant Contact), website platforms (Squarespace, WordPress, or similar), and CRM systems preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, track, and analyze program data; strong attention to detail.
• Self-starter who is comfortable and motivated to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Organized and takes the initiative to continually improve operations.
• High level of professionalism, reliability, discretion, and customer service orientation.
• Desires to continuously learn and develop professionally.
• Ability to travel for events, meetings, or outreach (reliable transportation required).
  
  

Education

• Associate's degree in business administration, public administration, communications, marketing, or related field required.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and relevant professional experience will be considered.
  
  

Preferred Attributes

• Familiarity with small business development, entrepreneurship, or startup ecosystem in the Roanoke / NRV region.
• Experience working under funding or grant-driven programs and familiarity with performance metrics or outcome-based reporting.
• Background in community engagement, economic development, or local government relations.
• Comfort with public speaking, delivering short presentations, or facilitating small group sessions.
• Creative mindset for marketing and promotional strategies in a lean environment.
  
  

Supplemental Information

Supplemental Information

Typical Qualifications

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret, journals, financial reports, and documents. Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints orally and in writing. Ability to communicate effectively with management, public groups or employees of organization.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written or oral form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This is a job description and not an individualized position description. A job description defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but it is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.