Business Engagement Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $65,071.28 - $80,000.00 Annually
Location : Don Ryan Center for Innovation - Bluffton, SC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202600126
Department: Don Ryan Center of Innovation
Opening Date: 06/12/2026
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.
Job Summary
Under general supervision of the Chief Executive Officer of the Don Ryan Center for Innovation (DRCI), the Business Engagement Manager plans, coordinates, and implements entrepreneurial programs and business engagement initiatives that support startups, small businesses, and innovation-driven economic development. This position serves as a primary liaison between DRCI and the business community, entrepreneurs, mentors, and strategic partners, ensuring effective program delivery and strong engagement across the regional innovation ecosystem.
Essential Job Functions

• Leads and supports innovators enrolled in DRCI STARTUP and GROWTH Programs through structured guidance and ongoing engagement.
• Assists entrepreneurs with strategic planning, organizational development, hiring, and operational processes.
• Provides guidance and coaching related to financial management, budgeting, and resource planning.
• Coaches and advises business owners on marketing strategies, customer development, and business development activities.
• Works concurrently with multiple startup and growth-stage companies at varying stages of development to support business progress and scalability.
• Coordinates and manages DRCI entrepreneurial programs, workshops, cohorts, and related initiatives.
• Supports participating entrepreneurs and small businesses by connecting them with mentors, resources, and service providers.
• Assists with program planning, scheduling, logistics, and on-site coordination at The HUB & COVE.
• Monitors program participation, outcomes, and performance metrics using CRM systems and reporting tools.
• Assists with evaluation and continuous improvement of programs to align with DRCI's strategic objectives.
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with entrepreneurs, startups, small businesses, mentors, investors, and ecosystem partners.
• Serves as a liaison between DRCI and public, private, nonprofit, and academic organizations supporting entrepreneurship and economic development.
• Actively recruits participants for DRCI programs and initiatives.
• Represents DRCI at meetings, events, and community functions as assigned.
• Assists with planning and execution of networking events, workshops, pitch events, and educational sessions.
• Collaborates with leadership and marketing support to promote programs, events, and initiatives.
• Assists with preparation of presentations, reports, and communications for stakeholders, partners, and funders.
• Provides program-related reports, data, and updates to DRCI leadership.
• Assists with grant reporting, data collection, and compliance activities as required.
• Attends meetings and provides staff support to boards, committees, or advisory groups when assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in business, economics, communications, public administration, economic development, or a related field; and five (5) years of experience in program coordination, business engagement, economic development, entrepreneurship support, or related work. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered. Preferred: Experience working with an innovation center, incubator, accelerator, chamber of commerce, or economic development organization. Experience coordinating workshops, events, or educational programs. Familiarity with startup ecosystems and mentor-based programming.
Licenses or Certifications:
Valid South Carolina driver's license.
Special Requirements:
Must pass a drug screen.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Bluffton's mission and goals.
• Knowledge of entrepreneurship, startups, and small business development.
• Knowledge of economic development principles and community-based programming.
• Skill in preparing and analyzing written or computer data.
• Skill in strong written and verbal communication, including public speaking and presentations.
• Skill in standard office software, databases, and CRM systems.
• Ability to plan, organize, and manage multiple programs and projects simultaneously.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal staff and external partners.
• Ability to collect, track, and report program data and performance metrics.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Ability to engender a positive and collaborative attitude.
• Ability to manage and coordinate multiple disparate projects, clients, timelines, and goals in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to observe general surroundings and activities.

Physical Demands & Work Environment
The work is sedentary work and requires exerting up to25pounds of force occasionally and negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. In addition, positions in this classification typically require balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, feeling, grasping, handling, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, discriminating among sounds, kneeling, lifting, manual dexterity, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, expressing ideas by the spoken word, shouting to be heard above ambient noise, visual acuity to analyze data/work with color or depth perception/determine accuracy or observe facilities/operate motor vehicles or equipment/inspect defects or fabricate parts, and walking.
Duties are performed primarily ina moderately noisy business office with copy machines, telephones, and/or computer printers along with some light foot traffic.
The Town of Bluffton has the right to revise this job description at any time. This
description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.
The Town of Bluffton commits to a policy of equal employment opportunity for applicants and employees, complying with local, state and federal laws. The Town's policy is to employ qualified persons without discrimination regarding race, creed, color, religion, age, sex, country of national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, political affiliation, ethnicity, or status in any other group protected by federal/state/local law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Health and Dental Insurance
All regular full-time employees, employees who work 30 hours or more per week, and Town Council members are eligible to participate in the Town's health plan through the South Carolina Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA). If an employee elects to be covered, the cost for the coverage will be deducted from each paycheck. The Town covers the premiums for the employee portion of the State Health and the State Dental plans. The employee will be responsible for the cost of any additional dependent premiums selected. For more information regarding the health plans click
Paid Time Off (PTO)
All regular full-time employees, employees who work 30 hours or more per week, will start accruing PTO on the first day of employment. PTO is a cumulative bank of time for sick days, vacation time, and bereavement leave.
Full-time employees will accrue PTO according to the following schedule:

• 0-5 years of employment: 5.2 hours / pay period
• 6-9 years of employment: 6.8 hours / pay period
• Over 9 years of employment: 8.32 hours / pay period

Holiday Pay
The Town of Bluffton offers 13 paid holidays and 1 personal day (8.5 hours):

• New Years Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• Presidents' Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving
• Heritage Day (Friday after Thanksgiving)
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• Personal Day

Holiday Pay
The Town of Bluffton offers PTO to employees for absences related to the death of immediate family members and fellow employees or retirees of Town of Bluffton.
Paid Parental Leave
The Town of Bluffton will provide up to six weeks or two weeks of paid parental leave upon the occurrence of a qualifying event to employees who occupy a full-time position.
Milestone Anniversary Bonus
Employee will receive a monetary bonus once they have reached a milestone anniversary (5,10,15,...).
Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible Spending Accounts are a tax-saving way to pay health care and dependent care expenses that you would typically pay out-of-pocket. Expenses such as deductibles, co payments, coinsurance, prescriptions, dental procedures and eyeglasses can quickly add up, and dependent care expenses can add up even more. The FSA's let you pay these expenses with pretax dollars.
Contributions are deducted from your pretax pay in equal amounts during the year. This means you save money, as contributions are not subject to Social Security tax, federal income tax or state income tax.
Medical Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Spending Account enrollments are only valid for one year and be re-enrolled during the Annual Open Enrollment Period in order to continue. Your account(s) will not automatically renew each year.
Pension Plans: South Carolina Retirement System or Police Officer Retirement System
All regular full-time and part-time employees and Town Council are required by law to join the South Carolina Retirement Systems. Seasonal and temporary employees have the option to opt out of the memberships.
The Town offers two plans for employees, the South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS) and the Police Officer Retirement System (PORS). Each employee/participant is required to contribute a certain percentage of their gross salary to the Retirement System. The actual contribution amounts are subject to change per legislation but will be provided upon hire date. The employee contributions are deducted on a pre-tax basis. Employee contributions earn interest.
More information on these programs can be found in the Retirement Handbook on PEBA's
Disability
Eligible employees enrolled in the State Health Plan have basic long-term disability protection at no cost. The Basic Long-Term Disability Plan protects a part of your income if you become disabled. It includes: a 90-day benefit waiting period; a monthly benefit of 62.5 percent of your pre-disability earnings, reduced by deductible income; a maximum $800 monthly benefit; and a maximum benefit period to age 65 if you become disabled before age 62. If you become disabled at age 62 or older, the maximum benefit period is based on your age at the time of disability.
Supplemental Long-Term Disability (SLTD)
This optional disability insurance plan provides more protection for you and your family. Supplemental long-term disability is a voluntary benefit for which the employee pays. This benefit provides: Competitive group rates; Survivors benefits for eligible dependents; coverage for injury, physical disease, mental disorder or pregnancy; a return-to-work incentive; SLTD conversion insurance; a cost-of-living adjustment; and lifetime security benefit. There are two options either a 90-day or 180-day benefit waiting period that includes: a monthly benefit of 65 percent of your pre-disability earnings, reduced by deductible income; a maximum $8,000 monthly benefit; and a minimum $100 monthly benefit. For more details visit PEBA's
Workers' Compensation
Town employees are covered by workers' compensation for on-the-job injuries. Benefits are governed by state law and not set by the Town.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The EAP is a confidential counseling, assessment and referral program designed to help you manage your life. Just as health insurance is designed to address your physical well being, your EAP is designed to address your emotional and mental health, as well as manage your work/life issues to achieve a healthy balance. EAP also provides legal and financial consultation services, as well as the Work Life Benefit which provides assistance with elder care, childcare, adoption, education, and other work life matters. All calls made to the EAP are kept private and confidential.
Sun Life - Supplemental Insurance
The Town of Bluffton also offers Supplemental Insurance coverage through Sun Life to employees which includes: Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity Insurance, and Short Term Disability. Everyone's benefit needs are different so these are optional to each employee to select (if they choose) benefits that are right for their personal situation.
On-Site Medical Bus
An onsite medical bus through Beaufort Memorial Health available for employees with health insurance. This on-site medical bus comes to a Town facility one a week for employees to use throughout their workday.
Educational Assistance and Educational Bonus Policies
The Town supports continuing education efforts made by Town employees through the reimbursement of tuition and training for certifications related to positions. Further, in our efforts to provide excellent levels of service to our citizens, the T...