Job Description
The Consulting & Business Development Center with The Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington has an outstanding opportunity for a Program Operations Specialist to join their Washington State team.
The Michael G. Foster School of Business at the University of Washington is one of the nation’s top-ranked public business schools. Foster serves more than 2,500 students across a broad portfolio of programs, including multiple top-20 MBA programs, seven specialty master’s degrees, an undergraduate business program, two undergraduate minors and a PhD program. Located on the Seattle campus, Foster benefits from strong ties to the global business community. The school is supported by more than 55,000 engaged alumni and a collaborative community of faculty and staff dedicated to advancing business education, research, and student success.
About this Opportunity
The Consulting and Business Development Center (CBDC) seeks a dynamic and detail-oriented professional to lead program innovation and execution across its portfolio of student consulting and community-facing initiatives. This role ensures that:
• Experiential learning opportunities for Foster School of Business and University of Washington students continue to advance skill and knowledge development
• Programs serving businesses in underserved communities evolve through the integration of cutting-edge strategies and best practices
• Strategic partnerships are strengthened to support long-term program sustainability
This position works closely with the Director of Washington State Programs to plan, execute, and manage student consulting projects, faculty-led programs, and marketing and communications efforts.
CBDC is the nation’s largest university-based center focused on advancing insights and fostering growth for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. This role plays a key part in expanding and sustaining that national leadership.
About the Center
CBDC delivers high-impact programs that engage undergraduate and MBA students in consulting projects with small businesses, nonprofits, and organizations in underserved communities across Washington State.
Through faculty-led programming and hands-on learning, the Center accelerates student career readiness while strengthening the management capacity of diverse businesses. CBDC is recognized as a national model for experiential business education.
What You Will Do:
The position will lead program innovation to ensure that (a) experiential learning for Foster School and UW students continues to accelerate skills and knowledge development, (b) programs that serve businesses in underserved communities continue to evolve by incorporating new cutting-edge techniques and business strategies, and (c) strengthen and maintain partnership key stakeholders to ensure program sustainability. This position works closely with the Director of Washington State Programs to plan, execute and manage student consulting projects, faculty-led professional development education, and marketing/communications.
The Consulting and Business Development Center is the nation's largest university-based and business-school based center focused on advancing insights about and fostering progress for socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. This position is responsible for leading and innovating programs that will expand that national leadership role.
Position Complexity
This is an extremely detail-oriented position, and requires someone capable of strategic planning, multi-tasking, and with highly developed marketing and event planning skills with accuracy. It requires having day-to-day authority related to all aspects of the programs it oversees as well as the ability to be proactive and self-motivated. Must be able to communicate effectively with a wide variety of students and business clientele with varying diverse backgrounds. This position regularly needs to strategically balance external small business owners’ needs with student learning goals and the Center’s mission.
Key Responsibilities
Duties & Responsibilities: (Identify the percent time spent on each major duty, listed in decreasing order of Importance. The total job duties must equal 100% regardless of position's % FlE.)
• CID Business Accelerator Program, a 9-month cohort-based learning and consulting program for companies in the CID and LS neighborhoods – (50%)
a. Plan, execute and manage day-to-day operations of the projects and programs for the center.
b. Work with faculty to deliver business seminars and classes.
c. Evaluate existing programs to make sure they are adding to the competitiveness of businesses in underserved communities.
d. Expand partnerships with organizations that support neighborhood-based businesses.
e. Strengthen relationships with lending partners to increase the access to capital for small business clients.
• Recruit students, volunteers, and small business participants for the programs – (10%)
a. Recruit students to participate in the center programs
b. Recruit and manage volunteers who assist in the student consulting teams
c. Secure sufficient small business and nonprofit participation in each program to ensure that we meet and exceed donor requirement and to ensure financial, self-sufficiency for each program
d. Expand partnerships with alumni and other key partners to continue to grow the programs
e. Assist in securing program sponsors for programs
f. Produce reports for donors
g. Deliver presentations about the center and its programs to business owners, CEO, nonprofit executives, civic leaders and elected officials
• Develop and manage alumni programs for students and small businesses to improve their access to key partners and organizations that support this work. – (10%)
a. Execute networking and alumni events to connect Ascend Seattle companies with potential market partners
b. Steward partnerships with donors and program supports
c. Manage the production and dissemination of the center's promotional materials
• The UW Impact Awards is an annual fundraising and awards banquet that celebrate the business, civic, and student leaders who power our mission: creating opportunities for students, businesses and communities across Washington and throughout the US. program. Work collaboratively with the Director of Programs to plan and execute the logistics for this event. – (15%)
a. Plan, execute and manage day-to-day operations of this annual awards banquet.
b. Assist in securing event sponsors and award recipient for the event
c. Managing all marketing and the social media elements for this event.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) is a critical resource that supports the day-to-day operations of the CBDC. This role will develop and implement standard operating procedures for Salesforce and oversee organization-wide CRM functions. – (15%)
Lead Responsibilities
The person hired for this position will have lead responsibilities for a number of programs. The lead responsibilities change from time to time given changes in the center's priorities and workload among other program managers.
Typically, this position has lead responsibilities for business education programs, consulting programs for undergraduate and MBA students,
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position supervises a number of student assistants working on business and nonprofit consulting projects.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree plus a minimum of 2 years’ experience in business, communications, education, economics, ethnic studies, or related fields.
Additional Qualifications
• experience in business, communications, education, economics, ethnic studies, or related fields
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager
Desired Qualifications
• Prior experience in working with students and/or small businesses is also desirable.
Experience working in programs or roles where flexibility and responsiveness were key to success.
• Strong project and program management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience working with diverse communities and cross-sector partners
• Analytical mindset with a focus on continuous improvement
Compensation, Benefits and Position Details
Pay Range Minimum:
$69,720.00 annualPay Range Maximum:
$96,000.00 annualOther Compensation:
-Benefits:
For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/Shift:
First Shift (United States of America)Temporary or Regular?
This is a regular positionFTE (Full-Time Equivalent):
100.00%Union/Bargaining Unit:
Not ApplicableAbout the UW
Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.
UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
Our Commitment
The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.
To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected].
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.