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Senior Business Advisor, SBIR-STTR

(Hybrid, Part-Time)

If you love helping entrepreneurs grow and succeed through coaching and advising, this is the role for you!

The Catalyst Center serves entrepreneurs and small business owners in every stage of business. We aim to provide best-in-class coaching, in-demand services, and relevant programs to foster the success of small businesses.

The Federal and State Technology (FAST) Program supports entrepreneurs to transform an innovation or technology into a sustainable business, provides assistance that leads to the commercialization of technology, and increases the number of SBIR/STTR proposals leading to an increase in the number of SBIR/STTR awards from small business owners through training and coaching.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Program Operations

• Implement the annual workplan that achieves project goals, grant objectives, and organizational priorities.
• Leads the operations of the FAST program.
• Leads the Accelerate Innovation Lab, including participant recruitment, application review, cohort management, coaching, proposal support, and ongoing client engagement.
• Plans and oversees project events, workshops, and educational programming.
• Remains current on SBIR/STTR opportunities, commercialization trends, and innovation resources.

Small Business Services

• Provides one-on-one coaching to entrepreneurs throughout the commercialization process, helping them strengthen their business strategy, prepare competitive SBIR/STTR proposals, and successfully navigate innovation funding opportunities.
• Develops and delivers high-quality workshops, cohort programs, and educational events that equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools needed to commercialize technology and grow sustainable businesses.
• Reviews proposals and provides constructive feedback that improves competitiveness and strengthens funding readiness.
• Connects entrepreneurs with subject matter experts, mentors, investors, and strategic partners.

Outreach & Volunteer Engagement

• Develops and executes outreach strategies that build awareness of the FAST program and maintains a strong pipeline of entrepreneurs.
• Builds and maintains relationships with federal agencies, research institutions, entrepreneurial support organizations, investors, universities, and other strategic partners.
• Recruits new entrepreneurs.
• Acts as a representative of The Catalyst within Alabama's innovation ecosystem and identifies opportunities that strengthen program impact and visibility.
• Develops and maintains relationships with qualified subject matter experts, proposal reviewers, mentors, investors, trainers, and business coaches.
• Coordinates subject matter experts and strategic partners.

Grant Management

• Executes all program activities in compliance with SBA grant requirements and the Notice of Award.
• Maintains accurate and timely client records, counseling documentation, and program data within the CRM.
• Prepares workplans, grant reports, program narratives, and supporting documentation required by funding agencies.
• Collects economic impact data, client outcomes, and program feedback.

Leadership

• Maintains a Subject Matter Expert status in SBIR/STTR and creates partnerships and connections by attending training and relevant conferences to stay up to date on changes and critical technology needs of government agencies.
• Develops and maintains relationships with the public/private sector and other stakeholders and serves as a primary liaison to the Innovation Ecosystem.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in business, entrepreneurship, technology, engineering, or a related field. Equivalent combinations of education and relevant professional experience will also be considered.
• Five or more years of experience leading programs, business advising, entrepreneurial support, economic development, technology commercialization, government contracting, innovation, or a related field required.
• Experience with Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs required.
• Experience delivering coaching, training, consulting, and technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
• Experience building partnerships and engaging stakeholders.
• Experience managing grants, contracts, or performance-based projects is preferred.
• Experience working with technology-based startups, research commercialization, or innovation-focused entrepreneurial support organizations.
• Working knowledge of the Innovation ecosystem, with particular focus on access to funding, including venture capital, angel investments, private equity investments, and traditional small business lending.
• Experience with federal grant administration, performance reporting, or grant compliance.
• Knowledge of government contracting and/or federal procurement.

Skills & Attributes:

• Program & project implementation
• Business coaching & technical assistance
• Training & facilitation
• Strategic planning & problem solving
• Relationship building & stakeholder engagement
• Grant administration & compliance
• Self-motivated & able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Results-oriented with a strong sense of accountability and ownership

APPLY TODAY!

The Senior Business Advisor, SBIR/STTR will embrace our mission, culture, and core values, and comply with all federal, state, and local legal and tax requirements.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

The successful candidate will undergo a background check including a criminal record check, employment and education verification, and drug test. Please do not proceed with this application if you do not agree to these checks.