What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Semiconductor Business Readiness Ce position at Empire State?
*Applicants MUST submit a cover letter with resume to be considered.
*This position will require in-office presence. Hybrid work schedules may be possible based on specific job duties and consistent with ESD policy.
*Minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Please contact Human Resources if you require an accommodation.
BASIC FUNCTION:
The Director of Semiconductor Business Readiness Center will play a key role in the GO-SEMI’s efforts to build and grow a robust supplier ecosystem to support New York State’s vibrant semiconductor industry. The Director will play an integral role to design and launch a first-of-its-Kind Semiconductor Business Readiness Center and directly oversee the Center staff including the Business Engagement Manager and the CRM and Data Analytics Manager. The Director will be charged with leading the creation of a strategic roadmap, establishing ambitious annual programmatic goals, and implementing continuous improvement processes to ensure the Center remains acutely aligned with emerging semiconductor market opportunities.
The Director will also design and implement a holistic business readiness model covering critical areas such as access to contracting opportunities, financial counseling (credit, bonding, insurance), securing certifications, enhancing digital presence, and driving back-office improvements (e.g., bookkeeping, bidding practices). The Director will be responsible for ensuring smooth day-to-day operations of the Center, proactively reaching out to and sourcing NY semiconductor ecosystems businesses, presenting at various local and state-wide events, and providing tactical guidance to drive overall program impact. A core responsibility is building meaningful, high-impact relationships with diverse stakeholders, including anchor companies like Micron, key suppliers, prime contractors, and various programmatic and community partners, with the ultimate goal of converting these relationships into tangible business opportunities for NYS enterprises. Finally, the Director must be a culturally competent leader who builds inclusive support structures that are responsive to the unique challenges of NY economically disadvantaged individual-owned businesses.
WORK PERFORMED:
- Establishment and Operational Oversight:
- Design, launch, and ensure the efficient day-to-day operation of the SBRC.
- Directly manage and mentor Center staff, including the Business Engagement Manager and the CRM and Data Analytics Manager.
- Set comprehensive performance metrics for the SBRC and regularly report data and program impact to GO-SEMI management.
- Strategic Programming and Curriculum Development:
- Develop and implement a comprehensive programming strategy that aligns with GO-SEMI's strategic supply chain development goals.
- Design and implement a holistic business readiness model covering access to contracting, financial counseling (credit, bonding, insurance), certifications, digital presence, and back-office improvements (e.g., bookkeeping, bidding practices).
- Deploy multichannel programming, including asynchronous, in-person, distant, on-demand, and live training, as well as direct technical assistance (advisory services, group meetings, seminars, roundtables, matchmaking, and mentorship).
- Ensure all curriculum development, review, and revision activities follow rigorous processes and align with current industry standards and educational best practices.
- Monitor participant progress and performance data to continually enhance progress toward learning objectives.
- Ecosystem Coordination and Relationship Management:
- Partner with the GO-SEMI Supply Chain Team and Senior Director on the Green CHIPS program to bridge contracting opportunities with supplier capabilities, delivering tailored technical training and tracking readiness deliverables to expand market access for New York State firms.
- Build and maintain high-impact relationships with key stakeholders, including anchor companies (e.g., Micron), suppliers, prime contractors, and community partners, to convert relationships into tangible business opportunities for NYS enterprises.
- Leverage existing technical assistance programs and collaborate with internal and external strategic partners to ready participating businesses for semiconductor industry opportunities.
- Establish programmatic synergy with the Semiconductor Growth Access Program (SGAP) and actively refer qualified SBRC clients to SGAP.
- Maintain a robust intake, triage, and referral CRM system that connects businesses to essential public/private sector resources (e.g., APEX Accelerators, SBDCs, CDFIs, MWBE Programs, etc.) and contracting opportunities.
- Business Outreach and Support:
- Lead proactive outreach and sourcing efforts to NY small businesses, especially those that are owned by economically disadvantaged individuals or operate in economically distressed areas in New York.
- Act as a culturally competent leader, building inclusive support structures responsive to the unique challenges of NY businesses interested in pivoting into semiconductor ecosystems, such as supply chain or fab construction, especially those who work in economically disadvantaged areas.
- Organize in-person and online outreach events to connect NY economically disadvantaged businesses directly with contracting opportunities across the NYS semiconductor ecosystem.
- Prepare NY businesses to meet industry standards by coordinating access to specialized experts, tools, and coaching.
- Ensure NY businesses are electronically accessible to receive critical Center updates and business opportunity alerts.
- Develop and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on readiness and contract participation in semiconductor supply chain and construction contracting opportunities to ensure program goals are met.
- Participate in regular meetings with Green CHIPS Program participants to review readiness strategy and provide guidance on ways to increase contracting opportunities for NY economically disadvantaged individual-owned business participation, including requesting and reviewing progress reports.
- General Requirements:
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Some in-state travel and flexibility for off-hours work are required.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education Level Required: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Education, Economic Development, Public Administration, or related field.
Relevant Experience Required: 7 years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, small business support, supply chain development, workforce or business readiness initiatives, or closely related fields. Demonstrated experience designing, launching, and scaling new programs, business centers, or major initiatives, preferably within a government, nonprofit, or industry setting. Demonstrated success working with underrepresented businesses in a contracting or procurement context. Experience working with or supporting advanced manufacturing or semiconductor supply chain ecosystem preferred. Familiarity with public funding programs (e.g., NYS MWBE, SBA, SSBCI, EDA). Experience developing KPIs or managing data-driven program performance systems preferred. Experience delivering technical assistance, one-on-one and group-based programming. Demonstrated ability to supervise staff, manage cross-functional teams, and coordinate complex stakeholder environments.
Knowledge Required: Strong grasp of project management methodologies, including planning, execution, budgeting, and continuous improvement. Knowledge of curriculum design, adult learning principles, and best practices in business education or training program development. Excellent facilitation, communication, and public speaking skills, including the ability to present to both technical and non-technical audiences. Proficiency with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and comfort working with data analytics tools and dashboards. Understanding of construction and/or manufacturing procurement processes, supplier qualification requirements, and industry standards. Fluency in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in local business communities (preferred but not required).
Salary : $90,000 - $100,000