Position Overview

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is seeking an experienced and visionary leader to serve as Vice President of Entrepreneurship. This position plays a critical role in advancing SMIF’s economic development goals through collaboration and community engagement. The VP will oversee business programs, cultivate and manage strategic partnerships, and serve as a key figure in advancing southern Minnesota's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities

Expertise

• Provide expertise on economic and community development topics, fields and resources in the areas of innovation, entrepreneurism, minority-owned and bio business commercialization.

Strategy Implementation

· Oversight and management of Business programs, initiatives and partnerships to achieve strategic and operational objectives.

Resource Development & Budget Management

· Ensure that resources are available to achieve the strategic and program objectives of the Business program and to effectively manage the annual budget and grants awarded to the program

Training & Convening

· Oversight of training, convening and technical assistance activities of the Business program.

Grant & Loan Administration

· Oversight of collaboration grant and loan review and administration process achieving high standards for practices and processes.

Project Management

· Planning, management, resource development and evaluation of Business projects, partnerships and initiatives as assigned.

Staffing

• Responsible for hiring, promotion, professional development and performance management of business team staff.

Evaluation

· Implement annual and long-range evaluation processes and protocols for all Business activities. Assist with data analysis and regular reporting.

Program Leadership

· Work collaboratively with all Foundation teams to ensure an integrated, collaborative approach to Foundation programs and initiatives.

Non-Essential Job Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Experience:

· Undergraduate degree required in development, marketing/sales, public relations or related field - Master’s degree preferred.

· Minimum ten years of related work experience, preferably in a non-profit organization.

· Proven experience in managing staff.

Competencies

• Ability to consistently demonstrate SMIF’s Guiding Values & Code of Ethical Conduct while performing the duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Experienced program manager with proven economic and community development experience.
• Proven management skills and ability to deal with complex relationships and objectives.
• Experience in managing an experienced team of professionals.
• Program design and process implementation experience.
• Grant writing experience and success.
• Accomplished presentation and technical writing skills. ()
• Strong knowledge of economic and community development methodologies and resources. ()
• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced, creative, changing environment. ()
• Ability to work effectively with a broad range of people and styles. ();
• Ability to explore new opportunities and development connections related to Mission and Vision. (I
• Ability to implement and shape the Vision of the organization. (
• Experience with nonprofit, public or member associations helpful.
• Familiarity with Southern Minnesota helpful

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

• The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that are necessary for 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.
• Normal office environment with the pressure of time deadlines.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to: concentrate, sit for long periods of time, stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and/or talk and hear. The employee must have the capacity to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to travel within the 20-county service area 50% of time.

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation will make reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals who may need assistance in performing the essential functions of this position.

Resume and Cover Letter required

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $80,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Owatonna, MN 55060