Development Director Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $70,458.08 - $77,503.89 Annually
Location : Fort Dodge, IA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202200593
Department: Instruction
Division: Economic, Workforce and Continuing Education
Opening Date: 05/20/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Description Summary
The Small Business Development Director serves as a strategic blend of business advisor, program manager, and regional outreach leader. This role works directly with entrepreneurs and business owners through one-on-one counseling, workshops, and customized learning opportunities, while connecting clients to appropriate technical, financial, and community resources. The Director is also responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships with regional stakeholders, partners, and economic development organizations and is responsible for all center functions.
Examples of Duties
Constant (67-100%)

• Continuous client tracking, database entry, reporting and compliance.
• Provide no-cost confidential, personalized business counseling to both start-up and existing small businesses.
• Manage the operations of the Center to include budgeting, marketing, fundraising and compliance.
• Maintain a network of business and community resources and connect entrepreneurs with those resources when appropriate.
• Work with community leaders to promote small-business awareness.
• Supervise and evaluate support staff and consultants.
• Identify small-business training and educational needs and use this information to design and deliver workshops and classes.

Frequent (34-66%)

• Further the mission and goals of the statewide SBDC program by exceeding minimum goals assigned to the regional center by the state's lead center and by working collaboratively with the lead and other regional centers.
• Use database applications to create and manage files and communicate requested information, maintaining confidentiality.

Occasional (10-33%)

• Utilize suggestions from an advisory board and hold twice-a-year meetings as a minimum.
• Participate in the statewide SBDC strategic planning process.
• Perform other related work duties assigned by Iowa Central Community College as well as America's Small Business Development Centers Iowa's state office.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:
1. Willing to represent SBDC and Iowa Central Community College in a positive manner and take direction from both entities to ensure success of the center.
2. Must be self-motivated and creative with strong computer skills.
3. Able to communicate clearly, concisely, and logically.
4. Must have own transportation and willing to work evenings and weekends as needed by the state office of the SBDC and Iowa Central as well as to meet client needs and expectations.
5. Maintain professional relationships within the assigned territory and additional established satellite office and promote SBDC and Iowa Central. Stakeholder relationships are vital to the success of the program.
6. Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences.
7. Timely enter client information in the SBDC database and timely submit required documentation to SBDC State Office as required by the Regional Director Handbook and contract. This includes a minimum of 12-15 counseling or prep hours per week.
8. Maintain confidentiality of client services and records.
9. Contribute to the strategic vision and work plan of the America's SBDC Iowa network.
10. Attend Association of Small Business Development Centers fall conference.
11. Complete Certified Business Advisor Course within 12 months of commencement of employment.
Qualifications
Associate's degree and five (5) years of related business experience in business ownership, small business support, economic development, banking, consulting, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Preferred Qualification:
Bachelor's degree or ten (10 years of progressively responsible experience working with or supporting small businesses.
Must pass criminal background check.
Supplemental Information
GENERAL PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES WITH OR WITHOUT A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:
Position involves working in an office setting, including sitting, moving, repetitive motion, talking, hearing, viewing a computer and other types of close visual work, lifting, pushing, pulling, grasping and reaching. These statements reflect general details necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. May perform other activities as required including driving to satellite offices and other resource partner locations as well as potential client locations.
Position involves constant (67-100%): Talking and listening to persons over the phone and in person; frequent (34-66%): Sitting, visual activity and repetitive motion while utilizing computer equipment, travel to on/off-campus facilities; and occasional (10-33%): Stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pulling, grasping and lifting up to 25 pounds.
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individual may perform other duties as assigned.
We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including medical, dental, retirement (IPERS or TIAA), life insurance (2x base salary up to $300,000), and long-term disability.
Our paid time off package includes holidays (7), vacation (15 days), personal days (16 hours), volunteer leave (8 hours) and sick leave (120) hours. The leaves listed are annual and some of the leave benefits may be prorated based on date of hire.
In addition, we offer several voluntary benefits including: vision, supplemental employee, spouse and children life insurance, flexible spending accounts, and 403b retirement savings.