Strategic Initiatives Coordinator - State Prog Admin Coordinator

Working Title: Strategic Initiatives Coordinator

Job Class: State Program Administrator, Coordinator

Agency: Department of Employment and Economic Development

• Job ID : 97990

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes, may be eligible for some telework

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 11/03/2026.

• Date Posted : 10/28/2026

• Closing Date : 11/06/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Employment and Economic Development / MAPE

• Division/Unit : Small Business Development Center

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift, 8:00AM - 4:30PM

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes, up to 25% of the time

• Salary Range: $37.91 - $56.39 / hourly; $79,156 - $117,742 / annually

• Job Class Option : Small Business Development

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Administrative

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

The Strategic Initiatives Coordinator serves as a senior program resource within the Minnesota Small Business Development Center (MN SBDC) Network. This position leads statewide strategic initiatives, strengthens organizational effectiveness, supports professional development, oversees compliance activities, and coordinates grant and resource development efforts. Working closely with the State Director, statewide leadership, and nine regional centers, the incumbent advances program priorities, standardizes operational practices, improves consultant training and performance, enhances data-driven decision-making, and expands the MN SBDC’s impact on entrepreneurs and small businesses across Minnesota.

The position provides programmatic direction to contracted consultants, coordinates cross-functional initiatives, develops policies and procedures, improves operational processes, and ensures compliance with federal, state, and Small Business Administration (SBA) requirements. It also leads statewide training initiatives, supports accreditation and reporting, and identifies opportunities to secure external funding that supports innovation, workforce development, and entrepreneurial services.

This position will require travel throughout Minnesota for meetings with regional centers, network staff, stakeholders and other SBDC partners.

This position is telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) eligible. Staff are provided with the tools and equipment to be successful in a virtual work environment. Please note, the telework policy could change with notice based on business needs.

This posting may be used to fill multiple positions.

Minimum Qualifications

Please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for this position.

Four (4) years of experience in small business development or directly related program work as determined by the agency.

*Bachelor's degree in Business, Public Administration, Public Policy, Organizational Leadership, Economics, Management, Entrepreneurship or other closely related field as determined by the agency may substitute for one (1) year of experience; master's degree substitute for eighteen (18) months of experience.

Applicants that meet the above minimum qualification will be further evaluated on the following for all levels:

• Experience coordinating initiatives, projects, or activities across multiple units, organizations, or stakeholder groups

• Experience developing or implementing program processes, policies, procedures, or operational standards

• Experience analyzing program, operational, or performance data

• Experience preparing program documents, such as reports, guidelines, training materials, or compliance/oversight documentation.

• Experience interpreting and applying federal or state program requirements, grant conditions, regulatory standards, or similar guidelines.

• Incumbent must maintain a valid driver's license and insurance OR have other reliable transportation. Travel arrangements can be made with drivers employed by State Services for the Blind upon request and depending on availability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving in a consultant or staff capacity within a Small Business Development Center (SBDC).

• Experience coordinating or supporting grant development, such as identifying funding opportunities, writing proposals, or managing grant deliverables and reporting.

• Experience monitoring or supporting federal, state, or accreditation compliance activities, including SBA reporting, center reviews, policy implementation, or program oversight.

• Experience using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, performance dashboards, or data-tracking tools to support operational decision-making, reporting, or process improvement.

• Experience developing or maintaining stakeholder partnerships (e.g., higher education, SBA, community organizations, economic development partners) to support program goals.

• Experience preparing formal program documents, such as guidelines, legislative materials, contracts, or public-facing program resources.

• Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements

A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. The background check may consist of the following components:

• Criminal Background Check

• Employment Records Check (current and former State employees only)

• Employment Reference Check

• Conflict of Interest Review

• Driver’s License and Records Check

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.