Field Specialist in Business Development - St. Louis, MO

University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement

MU Extension Business and Communities

MU TITLE: Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Professional

LOCATION: St. Louis, Missouri and primarily serves counties within the I-55 Corridor, in the Urban East Region, with additional service across the state as needed.

SPECIALIST EMPHASIS

This position primarily serves as a business educator and technology commercialization specialist for technology-based programing for innovation and technology led companies across the state, with emphasis in commercialization, product development, finance, management, marketing, and growth management. In addition, it will serve as a liaison with the local institutions of Higher-Ed to facilitate opportunities for student experiential learning throughout Missouri.

Field Specialists with the MU Extension Business Development Programs (BDP) work within the Missouri Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program. The SBDC transforms Missouri business and industry through education, technical service, and collaboration by working with small to medium size companies to improve bottom-line performance. As a Field Specialist you will plan, implement, and evaluate business programs and services utilizing research-based knowledge in business growth, strategic planning, technology development, government contracting, marketing, management, finance, capital formation, operations, human resources, business start-up and business growth/sustainability, as well as other timely business-related topics to assist existing and new entrepreneurs.

Program specialization: The Business Development Specialist is responsible for providing business coaching primarily to technology and innovation start-ups and existing businesses to provide assistance with operating businesses ventures that result in economic and societal outcomes. Develop and provide high-quality educational programs that are consistent with the MU Extension mission, are research- and evidence-based, and result in learning and behavior changes that positively impact the economy and society.

MU Extension Business Development program is an important component of the state's economic development strategy and the University of Missouri's economic development mission through providing education and assistance to businesses throughout Missouri. For more information about extension's business programs visit missourisbdc.org

This position is a 12-month, ranked, non-tenure track appointment at the rank of assistant, associate, or full Extension Professional. Rank will be determined at the time of appointment based on qualifications and experience in accordance with the MU Extension faculty standards. This position will hold a working title of Field Specialist in Business Development.

As a Field Specialist, your workload distribution at appointment will be 90% Extension Teaching and 10% Traditional Service.

This appointment is renewable annually at the discretion of the University and workload distribution may change at the discretion of Extension leadership. Circumstances affecting continued employment include, but are not limited to, work performance, fund availability, and educational priorities.

CORE DUTIES OF MU EXTENSION SPECIALISTS

MU Extension Specialists deliver the University of Missouri to all Missourians. They serve all Missourians by bringing research-based solutions to work on local problems. MU Extension Specialists teach new and foundational concepts, link people to resources, support partner organizations, participate in research, train volunteers, evaluate programs, foster innovation, and serve communities. MU Extension Specialists work as a team to expand educational attainment, foster economic development, and improve health outcomes. These core duties fall into three major areas:

Educate, Create, and Connect.

• Educate. MU Extension specialists design, conduct, and evaluate educational programs. MU Extension specialists teach research-based information via meetings, in-person and online courses, continuing education classes, technical assistance, volunteer training, media, websites, consultation, and other educational methods. They provide educational programs that support Missouri's learners and clients' individual, organizational, and community goals.
• Create. MU Extension specialists develop innovative and research-informed educational products, services, materials, and other scholarly works. These include curricula, publications, presentations, educational tools, websites, and similar resources. MU Extension specialists obtain and use extramural funding to support creative works. MU Extension specialists contribute to the scholarship of Extension and Engagement by evaluating programs that result in learning and behavior changes that impact individuals and communities.
• Connect. MU Extension specialists engage with learners, stakeholders, volunteers, and communities, including county extension councils, government officials and agencies, partners, and University and professional organizations. MU Extension specialists listen and respond with care. MU Extension specialists intentionally foster engaged partnerships and robust connections to the wide array of programs offered by the whole University of Missouri System.

Professional Expectations

• Engage with stakeholders in all coverage counties to identify educational needs and then collaborate with appropriate internal and external partners to meet programming needs, incorporating timely marketing strategies.
• Create an annual plan-of-work that reflects local needs and aligns with statewide program area efforts. Provide a monthly report for assigned county extension councils, supervisors, county commissioners and others, regarding programmatic efforts. Attend at least one county extension council meeting each month and provide a program review with feedback and analysis for the respective coverage area.
• Collaborate with campus-based specialists on research projects and then deliver findings from those efforts via demonstrations, field days, courses, workshops, consultations, publications, and appropriate media.
• Effectively work with supervisors, other specialists, and local leaders to complete administrative tasks as needed to support county efforts.
• Demonstrate competency in communication, educational programming, subject matter knowledge, educational delivery, volunteer management, grant acquisition, teamwork, interpersonal relations, organization knowledge, leadership, and professionalism.
• Offer timely, research-based information during times of natural disasters or unexpected catastrophic events.
• Represent the University of Missouri on boards and committees for assigned program area.
• Participate in professional development events to improve both technical and leadership skills.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission of MU Extension.

Additional Expectations

• MU Extension Specialists regularly travel throughout Missouri and occasionally to out-of-state locations. MU Extension requires specialists to have a valid Missouri driver's license, a legally operating vehicle, and wireless telephone/data service for university use. MU Extension specialists receive reimbursement for approved travel expenses, per University of Missouri policy.
• MU Extension programs often occur outside of regular business hours. MU Extension Specialists should expect to attend these events as needed to meet the needs of learners, clients, and stakeholders.
• Research and develop programs related to the needs of Second Stage businesses for deployment across the statewide BDP network.

MU EXTENSION LEADERSHIP RECEIVED

The Senior Program Director for Business & Community provides overall programmatic leadership. Programmatic supervision comes from the Business Development Education Director and administrative oversight comes from the Regional Director.

MU EXTENSION INFORMATION

The University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement's distinct land-grant mission is to improve lives, communities, and economies by producing relevant, reliable, and responsive educational strategies throughout Missouri. Our dedicated and knowledgeable specialists and staff collaborate with researchers and community leaders to develop and deliver programs that address the needs of Missourians, including educational attainment, economic development, and healthy people. For more information about MU Extension and Engagement, please visit https://extension2.missouri.edu/.

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

The University of Missouri, also known as Mizzou and MU, is the Flagship University of the four-campus University of Missouri System. It is one of the state's land-grant universities. MU's comprehensive undergraduate programs and its graduate, professional, and research programs attract an annual enrollment of more than 30,000 students. MU Extension and Engagement programs are located on all four campuses and in 114 counties and St. Louis city.

An earned PhD or master's degree at time of appointment.

Candidates will be evaluated on:

Degree in business, engineering, business education, or related area with appropriate coursework exhibited.

Years of experience in business management, marketing, or finance. Related areas include technology commercialization, customer discovery, government procurement, marketing, finance, accounting, management, human resources, operations management, e-commerce, or entrepreneurship.

Demonstrated ability in applying and transferring research-based knowledge in the above subject matter areas.

The ideal candidate will also have successful experiences in operating and managing a business, providing consulting, and/or owning a business, sales, banking and/or lending experience.

A knowledge of financial analysis and comparisons and the ability to communicate those reports is desired.

Experience and understanding of "Lean Launchpad" / I-Corps curriculum.

An understanding of and the ability to explore the financial implications of business decisions on a company's cash flow.

An understanding of the requirements and processes related to government procurement, contracting, and the necessary registrations (8a, SAMs, etc...)

Experience and understanding SBIR / STTR grants and the ability to provide technical assistance to "tech" clients.

Effective and innovative teaching strategies that engage others, including strong listening, written, and oral communication skills. Must be able to integrate new and emerging technology into teaching strategies.

Experience in designing, conducting, and evaluating educational programs, and applying research-based knowledge in subject matter areas related to community cooperation and collaboration, capacity assessment and action planning, needs assessment, citizen participation, leadership, resource management, and volunteerism is desired.

Minimum starting salary of $58,000.00, salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience of the applicant.

Complete the brief online application and be prepared to upload:

* Cover Letter

* Resume/CV

* Copies of all unofficial academic transcripts, and

* a list of 3-5 references

For questions regarding the online application process contact MUHR@missouri.edu or call 573.882.7976. For technical problems with the online application process contact Helpdesk@missouri.edu or call 573.882.5000.

Visa Sponsorship Information:

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.