Program Coordinator

The University of St. Thomas invites qualified candidates to apply for a Program Coordinator (Coordinator III) position, supporting the Small Business Development Center and Center for Community Entrepreneurship within the Opus College of Business.

The University of St. Thomas embraces belonging and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion an inclusive environment.  The University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer (EEO).  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, or other protected characteristic.  This commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity is consistent with our mission: Inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, the University of St. Thomas educates students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good.  A successful candidate will possess a commitment to the ideals of this mission.

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY

The University of St. Thomas offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, which includes:

• Tuition Remission for employees, spouses, and dependents
• Generous Retirement Contributions to support your future
• Comprehensive Health Coverage including medical, dental, and vision
• Fully Paid Insurance: disability, life, and AD&D
• Paid Parental Leave to support growing families

Salary Range: $20.95 to $26.15

The University of St. Thomas has provided a salary range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The specific salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

JOB SUMMARY

The Program Coordinator for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Center for Community Entrepreneurship (CCE) provides operational support and coordinates daily activities for two cornerstone programs within the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship at the University of St. Thomas. Reporting to the Senior Director of SBDC/CCE, this full-time role assists with delivering high-quality programs, maintaining client relationships, and supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners by supporting the services provided by these Centers.

The Program Coordinator plays a role in coordinating program logistics, managing participant communications, and supporting recruitment efforts for clients, mentors, speakers, and resource partners. This position assists the Director and Senior Director with tracking outcomes, maintaining compliance with U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) reporting standards, and ensuring efficient operations across both centers.

Additionally, the Program Coordinator supports implementation of programming such as the Community Entrepreneurship Program (CEP), workshops, event support and microgrant administration. This includes managing registrations, tracking client outcomes, coordinating communications, and maintaining accurate data in CRM systems. Through these efforts, the Program Coordinator helps advance the Schulze School’s mission to empower entrepreneurs and small business owners, promoting inclusive economic development in the Twin Cities and beyond.

Work Schedule, Physical Requirements, and Other Conditions

This position follows a hybrid work schedule, with a minimum of two days per week on campus and the remaining workdays performed remotely. The role requires working approximately 20–23 Saturdays per year to support events and programming throughout the greater Twin Cities area. When Saturday work is required, the workweek will flex accordingly, with one regularly scheduled Monday–Friday workday adjusted to accommodate the Saturday schedule.

The position requires travel to off-site locations throughout the greater Twin Cities area for events; therefore, a valid driver’s license and successful completion of a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driving record check are required.

Candidates must be able to lift and carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds, as the role involves transporting curriculum and event materials.

This position is funded through gifts and/or grants and is contingent upon the availability of such funding and ongoing business needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Program Operations Management and Coordination (35%)

• Plan, organize, and coordinate the daily activities of the SBDC and CCE, ensuring smooth program delivery.
• Manage program logistics including CEP workshops, mentorship pods, and microgrant administration.
• Track timelines, organize participant materials, and troubleshoot operational challenges to maintain quality and efficiency.
• Assist in preparing marketing materials, digital content, and outreach campaigns to promote programs and services.

2. Community Outreach and Recruitment (25%)

• Support recruitment of participants, mentors, subject matter experts, and speakers for CEP and other SBDC/CCE programs.
• Represent the SBDC and CCE at community events, information sessions, and networking opportunities.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders to strengthen program visibility and impact.
• Interact with clients or delegates, as needed, ensuring excellent customer service and high engagement.

3. Data Management, Reporting, and Compliance (20%)

• Maintain accurate client and program data in the required CRM system and other reporting tools.
• Assist the Director and Senior Director in preparing required reports for SBA, DEED, donors, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure accurate and timely entry of client outcomes to comply with federal and state program requirements.
• Track program performance metrics and support continuous improvement initiatives based on data insights.

4. Business Advising and Client Support (10%)

• Assist the Director and professional consultants with client follow-up and preparation of advising materials.
• Manage the client acquisition process. Lead community outreach effort to identify and support high-potential small businesses. Determine barriers to profitable growth and evaluate SBDC capacity and skillset to address client needs. Enroll business as SBDC client or refer business to more appropriate service provider partner.
• Coordinate action plan tracking and connect clients with appropriate resources based on their business needs.
• Support delivery of workshops and one-on-one consulting sessions by managing logistics and providing resources, as needed.
• Hire, schedule, train, supervise, and provide work direction to the student administrative staff and student business consultants.

5. Event Support and Special Projects (10%)

• Support the planning and execution of special events, workshops, and community programming hosted by the SBDC and CCE.
• Assist with program marketing, digital outreach, and coordination of event details to ensure professional execution, in collaboration with University Marketing and Communications.
• Contribute to cross-functional initiatives and new projects designed to expand services and enhance client impact.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or the equivalent

• Four years of administrative support experience, preferably in Higher Education; to include program coordination, community outreach, or administrative support

• The ability to lift and carry materials and equipment weighing up to twenty-five pounds
• A DMV background check is required for this position

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, accounting, entrepreneurship, or a related field

• Experience working in small business, entrepreneurship, or community development programs

• Familiarity with CRM platforms, data reporting, and grant-funded program management

• Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively

HOW TO APPLY

All interested candidates must apply online at https://www.stthomas.edu/jobs/. Follow the instructions to complete an online application which includes creating or updating an applicant profile, uploading a resume, and completing a job specific application.

In light of its commitment to create and maintain a safe learning and working environment, employment with the University of St. Thomas requires consent and successful completion of a background screening.

Official job posting is available at www.stthomas.edu/jobs.