
Website University of New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC) is seeking a strategic and creative professional to serve as Director of Communications & Education. This full-time role, based at the University of New Hampshire, leads statewide marketing, communications, public relations, and educational initiatives that support small businesses across the state. The Director will manage program development, digital content, outreach, and brand strategy while collaborating with partners and supervising related staff and independent contractors. Ideal candidates will have a background and current experience in marketing and communications, strong writing and program management skills, a working knowledge of AI, leadership experience, and a passion for small businesses. The Director also oversees all statewide educational program activities and initiatives, including crisis planning; identifies client training needs; conducts program assessments; writes, edits and fact checks content for digital and print communications; provides outreach services to promote the organization’s brand; and ensures clients, partners and stakeholders stay informed.
Duties/Responsibilities
Leadership (15%)
- As a member of the NH SBDC leadership team this position’s responsibilities are outward facing and strategic; responsible for providing expertise, leadership and strategic direction to determine priorities, goals and objectives that ensure NH SBDC communications are current, accurate, effective and timely.
- Implement organizational strategies and oversee statewide programming and initiatives.
- Research and benchmark with peer organizations to ensure optimal education outcomes; cultivate and maintain relationships with community partners, government agencies and businesses at the local and national level to develop initiatives.
Programs & Events (25%)
- Provide program leadership and oversee program development, administration, curriculum delivery and promotion in accordance with NH SBDC’s goals; work with business advisors and regional directors on client program development and delivery; manage NH SBDC’s online Resource Center and other online educational tools; update and disseminate program information and manage registration platforms.
- Support the creation and delivery of training and educational programs; launch new programs and initiatives; work directly with business experts to identify and refine topics to meet the needs of the NH SBDC’s diverse clientele; troubleshoot matters related to instruction, curriculum, budgeting, marketing, etc.
- Develop and implement needs assessments; collect data, measure and track program impact to demonstrate efficacy of ongoing programs; make recommendations to adjust strategy and tactics to increase effectiveness; recommend current and future programming; oversee the collection and tracking of participants’ information and progress.,
Marketing & Communications (60%)
- Oversee promotional efforts and marketing plan development for NH SBDC. Establish and drive multi-channel marketing and communication strategies for numerous business education programs, initiatives and services. Serve as the creative architect for internal and external communications.
- Responsible for final review and approval of NH SBDC webinars, public presentations and information; fact check, review and edit business advisor communications to clients and partners; provide guidance to business advisors on presentation style, tone, structure and flow; work directly with State Director on public talking points, messaging and content that business advisors use to communicate to clients and partners.
- Provide editorial direction, design, production and distribution of all NH SBDC digital/social media platforms and printed communications (website, ads, blogs, newsletters, press releases, etc.); ensure consistency and accuracy in messaging and branding; manage communications calendar to meet multiple and conflicting deadlines.
- Design communication and promotional campaigns to reach identified stakeholders with current and tailored content.
- Provide outreach services and recruitment of business participation; successfully communicate, advertise and promote NH SBDC’s educational programs; develop strategies to build customer loyalty, brand recognition and client satisfaction., Administrative & Supervision
- Ensure effective management within NH SBDC marketing, communications and public relations function; manage workflow, timelines, deadlines and special projects.
- Manage operations to support educational programming objectives and effectively run programs from inception to completion, including online registration activities.
- Assist with in the application, development and submission of grant proposals.
- Initiate and lead staff professional development activities to carry out the State Director’s priorities.
- Manage and negotiate contracts; supervise program speakers, printers, artists and photographers, etc. Supervise any marketing contractors working with NH SBDC.
Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business administration or related field and four years of experience or Master’s degree and two years; one to three years’ experience in marketing preferred.
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong strategic, problem-solving, presentation, communication and analytical skills.
- Demonstrated and proven writing skills and ability to effectively use social media channels to deliver marketing content.
- High degree of tact and confidentiality.
- Experience in developing and delivering e-courses and training courses, sales experience a plus.
- Must be a self-starter, be able to work independently and manage multiple projects with conflicting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience and familiarity with the activities and mission of the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center.
- Knowledge of complex Federal regulations and relations and familiarity with state and university policies and procedures.
Applicant Instructions
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter
- Contact Information for 3 Professional References
- Writing Sample
Applications that are missing any of the required items may not move forward for consideration. Additional uploaded documents not requested in the position announcement will not be reviewed.
The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.
EEO Statement
The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.