Montana Career Opportunity – Executive Director – Montana Business Assistance Corporation Inc.

Montana Business Assistance Connection (MBAC) is a non-profit, member supported economic development organization in Helena Montana. MBAC was originally established in 1998, as Gateway Economic Development Corporation, in order to retain and create new jobs in Lewis and Clark, Broadwater, and Meagher Counties. MBAC is dedicated to encouraging and supporting business expansion, retention and relocation by providing access to business consulting, financing, professional development and economic research.

Reports To: Board of Directors and Executive Committee

Salary Range: DOE

Revision Date: June 2012

Basic Function: The Executive Director is responsible for the overall administration and supervision of the Montana Business Assistance Corporation, Inc. (MBAC) subject to the direction of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee; develops and maintains MBAC administrative infrastructure, plans programs and projects; maintains daily contact with businesses in Lewis and Clark, Broadwater and Meagher counties, works directly with existing and potential new companies to s provide technical and economic assistance; manages public and private revolving loan funds; supervises MBAC contracts, including those which support training, counseling and financial support for qualified businesses; supervises and monitors personnel; supervises MBAC employees and contractors; provides direction to staff, contractors, companies and the communities located in the three counties MBAC serves.

Basic Duties:

1. Develops and maintains MBAC administrative infrastructure.

2. Works directly with client companies to promote job growth and provide technical assistance.

3. Performs direct supervision of MBAC staff and contractors

4. Acts as staff to a Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.

5. Acts as staff to standing committees.

6. Acts as staff to committees which may be formed by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.

7. Reviews, implements and administers all contracts for the corporation.

8. Administers and maintains the corporate fiscal system.

9. Oversees an annual independent audit of the fiscal records of the corporation.

10. Maintains an inventory of all capital equipment, furnishings and other material goods of the corporation.

11. Defines criteria, establishes and operates monitoring systems to determine satisfactory and/or unsatisfactory program administration by program staff;

12. Recommends to the corporation salaries, salary increases and bonuses.

13. Conducts research and development of new programs,

14. Reviews and recommends expansion of existing programs, loan funds, equity holdings, development and negotiation of contracts and investments.

15. Prepares and delivers required reports, including monthly loan portfolio and program reports to the Executive Committee.

16. Prepares and delivers written annual report on the state of the corporation (performance in the current year and goals for the coming year) to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors.

17. Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of federal and state statutes and regulations governing job development and loan programs.

2. Knowledge of public administration procedures and practices including budgeting and finance, personnel management, contract administration, program planning and evaluation, strategic management, city, county and state government operations and the legislative process.

3. Knowledge of local, state and federal development institutions and agencies.

4. Knowledge of organization and staff of commercial lenders.

5. Knowledge of loan fund administration, including establishment of operating guidelines and data management.

6. Knowledge of small business management principles and practices, including business planning, legal and accounting practices, and budgeting and control mechanisms.

7. Skill in drafting, developing, negotiating and managing contracts and sub grants.

8. Skill in data analysis and collection.

9. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with employees, business people, city, county, state and federal entities, university system personnel, community development organizations, clients, legislators, other professionals and the general public.

10. Ability to identify and secure operating funds and investments for local economic development activities.

11. Ability to analyze business financial information including, but not limited to income statement, balance sheets and cash flow analysis; ratio analysis; credit evaluation, et cetera.

12. Ability to use personal computers and associated software, including word processing, spreadsheet, database and management applications and email.

13. Ability to guide and direct group dynamics and facilitate interactions among persons of different viewpoints.

14. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

15. Ability to speak publicly.

Education and Experience:

Position requires knowledge and experience typically acquired by graduation from a four-year college with a degree in business management, public administration or related field and five (5) years of business development program, public sector management, non-profit administration, small business or related experience plus two (2) years of supervisory experience. Certification by the National Development Council as an Economic Development Professional and/or American Economic Development Council or other economic development certification, familiarity with federal, state, public and private economic development programs, grant writing and contract administration is preferred.

Management and Supervision:

1. The Executive Director assists program managers plan overall work objectives, develops, modifies and approves work procedures, coordinates work activities, and assigns and reviews work for compliance with performance, quality and budgetary standards.

2. The Executive Director provides technical assistance and is responsible for monitoring and assessing the performance of MBAC employees who administer loan funds, manage corporate assets, provide business assistance and implement projects. The Executive Director assesses performance.

3. The Executive Director is responsible for determining whether risk to the corporation exists and taking effective action to correct any condition that places the corporation at risk.

4. The Executive Director reports results of performance monitoring in writing to the Board President.

5. The Executive Director exercises supervision over:

POS. FTE

Loan Officer 1

SBDC Officer 1

Regional Economic Development Coordinator 1

Planner/Grant Writer 1

Administrative Assistant 1

Scope and Effect:

The Executive Director is responsible for the preparation and administration of the annual operating budget, a $6.46 million loan fund and a small business incubator building and land. Decisions must comply with federal and state statutes and regulations.

Personal Contacts and Communication:

The Executive Director is responsible for communication with MBAC employees, Board of Directors, city, county, state and federal officials, and citizens. Communication includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Professional and support staff within the corporation to coordinate program operations and to make and receive client referrals.

2. Professionals in other local development entities, city, county, state or federal agencies to advise and consult about operation of programs and coordinate with related businesses.

3. University system personnel to plan and conduct professional and client training programs; make and receive client referrals.

4. Business owners, managers, entrepreneurs and commercial lenders to coordinate and receive client referrals and to monitor effectiveness of programs.

5. General public to provide information, to make presentations to business and civic groups and conduct other educational and public relations activities.

6. Board President, Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Standing Committees and other appointed committees to report on budget and performance of programs, to recommend and to report on implementation of policy and programs revisions and initiatives; to coordinate inter-committee projects.

7. Media, to communicate economic development opportunities and challenges to a large viewer/reader audience.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

1. Some travel is required.

2. Some extended hours are required.

Supervision Received:

The Executive Director serves under the general administrative direction of the President of the Board of Directors. The Executive Director serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.

Executive Director:_________________________________________________
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President of the Board:______________________________________________
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