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Program Manager, Small Business Development Center

Date Posted:  Feb 17, 2026
Requisition ID:  473053
Location: 

Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204

 

Work for Indiana

 

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

 

About Indiana Economic Development Corporation

Bring your biggest and boldest ideas to life as an employee of the IEDC. We are a fast-paced and forward-thinking team charged with pursuing economic development opportunities for current and future Hoosiers in our state and around the world. Our culture embodies the spirit of being bold and working collaboratively to create the economy of the future.  

  

The IEDC is organized as a public private partnership led by the Secretary of Commerce and governed by a board chaired by the Governor of Indiana. 

  

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation has been recognized as one of the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Top Workplaces by Indianapolis Star.  

 

Role Overview

The Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC), currently housed within the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), helps small businesses start, grow, finance, innovate, and transition through no-cost, confidential business advising and training.  

 

The Program Manger serves as the primary contact and provides oversight for statewide Indiana SBDC programs, projects, and specialty advising. Broadly, the Program Manager will manage specialty advising relationships, plan and oversee event programming and logistics, manage market research tools and accounts that serve thousands of Hoosier small businesses each year and help them start stronger, grow faster, and work smarter. 


Salary Statement

The salary range for this position is $63,787 - $67,000 commensurate with education or work experience.

 

A Day in the Life:

Program/Initiative Management

  • Execute and refine a portfolio of statewide program initiatives to meet organizational strategic goals and work as a collaborative partner with internal and external stakeholders to identify, strategize, communicate, and implement programming
  • Identify and develop relationships with service providers and develop and implement project plans to define project scope, requirements, and deliverables
  • Manage vendor relationships with contracted service providers associated with the SBDC programming
  • Provide network with guidance on program responsibilities and proactively manage projects/program procedures, processes, goals, objectives, and system communication
  • Collaborate with supervisor on program budgets, invoices, and agreements
  • Identify best practices and improve programs and internal systems with an eye toward future strategic needs
  • Foster a positive feedback culture and utilize feedback to offer guidance and support to team members
  • Support service providers with program needs, which may include application monitoring and participant support
  • Manage special monthly network calls, including curating speakers of interest, alleviate pain points in the network, identify best practices, and provide support
  • Lead special, program specific webinars and information sessions as needed

 

Communications, Marketing and Event Planning

  • Develop and implement program plans, timelines, and supporting materials
  • Support program initiatives with marketing collateral including, copy, press releases, one-pagers, social media posts, email outreach, and resource guides
  • Collaborate with team to ensure SBDC website program pages are up to date
  • Plan and implement various multi-faceted events including securing locations, catering, event logistics, and curating speakers and presenters based on network needs

Additional Responsibility:

Administration

  • Advise team on programming opportunities and initiatives
  • Contribute to the development of the Indiana SBDC strategic goals and objectives
  • Serve as a resource for SBDC Regional Directors as they implement programming and participate in statewide initiatives
  • Participate in monthly calls with service providers, reviewing performance data and other special projects to assist in achievement of performance goals
  • Receive statewide referrals and dispatch to regional offices
  • Receive and respond to requests for specialty advising services and market research reports

What You'll Need for Success:

Education

  • Minimum: Bachelor's Degree in business, project management or other directly related field  

 

Experience

  • Minimum
    • 1-2 years of experience in program and/or project management 
    • Proficient in Microsoft Office suite 
  • Preferred
    • Experience in social media marketing 
    • Experience in stakeholder engagement 
    • Experience with event planning and presenter curation 

Core Competencies

 
  • Agility & Adaptability – open to change, able to shift work methods and behaviors in response to new information, conditions, or unexpected challenges 
  • Proactive – anticipating needs and challenges and finding resolutions prior to issues occurring. 
  • Detail Oriented - ability to review complex documents for errors, ability to plan multifaceted events with multiple moving parts. 
  • Independence & Teamwork – ability to work independently and possess the ability to manage deadlines without significant supervision, in addition to the ability to work within a team environment when needed. 
  • Accountable – takes ownership for actions, decisions, and outcomes; takes responsibility for both successes and failures. 

 

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes: 

  • Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
  • Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
  • Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
  • Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
  • Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
  • A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
    • 160 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
    • Up to 16 hours of paid community service leave
  • Combined 192 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
  • 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
  • Education Reimbursement Program
  • Group life insurance
  • Referral Bonus program
  • Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
  • Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  • Free Parking for most positions
  • Free LinkedIn Learning access

     

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.

 

 

Current Employee? Click here to apply.


Nearest Major Market: Indianapolis