Temporary: Program Manager, Veteran Business Resource Center

Reporting to the Director of the Utah Veteran Business Resource Center (VBRC). Primary responsibilities include coordinating and supporting the successful implementation of Operation Open Range, and related entrepreneurship training programs, including STRIVE, Ag STRIVE, and Women STRIVE, and other veteran-focused initiatives.

The Manager serves as the primary coordinator for participant recruitment, application management, student engagement, classroom operations, partner communications, and program administration. Under the direction of the Director, this position works closely with internal and external stakeholders including Salt Lake Community College departments, VBRC Business Advisors and Staff, Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), instructors, Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs (UDVMA), D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), community partners, Veteran Social, and other ecosystem organizations to ensure qualified participants are recruited and continue through the programs to graduation.

The Manager assists the Director with daily operations and administrative functions related to VBRC and Operation Open Range while ensuring consistent communication, accurate reporting, and effective participant support through each cohort. Working with the VBRC Project Manager, creating and implementing effective, cost-effective marketing strategies focused on program recruitment and other related activities as appropriate.

This position is a six-month, grant-funded temporary role, contingent upon continued funding.Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Program Administration & Student Success Coordination

• Coordinates participant movement through the entire program lifecycle and beyond, from recruitment and application through graduation and post-program engagement. Serves as the operational lead ensuring deadlines, communications, enrollment requirements, participant deliverables, and classroom logistics are completed successfully. Decisions directly impact participant experience, retention, and program performance.
• For grant support, provides administrative support for program operations, grant compliance activities, participant tracking, reporting requirements, budget monitoring, event coordination, and documentation management. Maintains accurate records and supports preparation of reports required by funders, college leadership, and program partners.
• Manage the application and enrollment process for all STRIVE cohorts.
• Track and report student engagement and participation throughout the classes.
• Maintain regular communication with applicants to ensure completion of required application materials.
• Coordinate participant onboarding, orientation activities, pre- and during-course communications.
• Monitor participant attendance, engagement, deliverables, and progression throughout each cohort.
• Assist the Director with program administration, reporting requirements, grant deliverables, and operational tracking.
• Develop and maintain program documentation, participant records, attendance logs, and administrative files.
• Support the collection and reporting of program data required by funders and institutional partners.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures with the VBRC Director to document processes and procedures essential to this role.
• Contribute in a meaningful way to the VBRC team and culture.

Recruitment & Enrollment Management

• Manages recruitment activities and applicant tracking systems to maintain enrollment goals for multiple annual cohorts. Provides regular reporting on applicant status, enrollment trends, participant demographics, and recruitment effectiveness. Assists in developing strategies to increase participation among veterans, military spouses, active duty, Reserve, and National Guard members.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for prospective participants throughout the recruitment and application process.
• Schedule and coordinate participant interviews and screening appointments.
• Participate in screening appointments and interviews.
• Coordinate recurring information sessions and recruiting events.
• Assist with participant recruitment activities through presentations, outreach efforts, community events, and partner referrals as assigned by the VBRC Director.
• Utilize approved program collateral and marketing tools to promote the program.
• Identify regional networking events, venues, and activities targeting eligible participants.
• With the VBRC Director, identify and establish relationships that will enable the program to ensure participation rates among intended participants.

Partner, Advisor & Stakeholder Coordination

• Works regularly with instructors, business advisors, SBA resource partners, community organizations, VBRC resource partners, veteran-serving organizations, and other stakeholders. Coordinates schedules, communications, referrals, and participant support activities to ensure effective collaboration across the program ecosystem.
• Track and report to Director and other program partners on outreach metrics and yield for each event or outreach activity.
• Occasionally present to community partners on the program and VBRC.
• Coordinate business advising appointments between participants, VBRC advisors, SBDC, VBOC, SBA, and other partners.
• Coordinate introductions between participants and lenders, industry experts, mentors, and ecosystem partners as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the Veteran Social, the VBRC Project Manager, and marketing partners on promotion of STRIVE and related programs.
• Maintain professional relationships with stakeholders, instructors, business advisors, lenders, agricultural organizations, veteran-serving organizations, and entrepreneurial ecosystem partners.
• Considerable collaboration with VBRC staff, SLCC departments, UDVMA staff, and other stakeholders.

Classroom Operations & Event Management

• Coordinate classroom logistics, including room setup, materials preparation, technology needs, catering arrangements, and participant check-in processes.
• Along with the Director, ensure smooth delivery of all classes and events with instructors, guest speakers, and partners.
• Assist in planning and executing special events, graduations, pitch competitions, conferences, and networking activities as assigned by the VBRC Director.

Other Duties as Assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Advanced ability to coordinate multiple programs, deadlines, and stakeholder relationships simultaneously across diverse geographic markets and business sectors.
• Knowledge of program administration, participant engagement, and customer service best practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including veterans, military spouses, instructors, business owners, community partners, and college personnel.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build productive relationships with external partners and participants.
• Experience using customer relationship management (CRM) systems, databases, and participant tracking tools.
• Ability to collect, organize, and report program performance data.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to identify and solve operational challenges independently.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and virtual meeting platforms.
• Ability to work occasional evenings or weekends for classes, recruiting events, conferences, and special programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of people with a variety of abilities and backgrounds and maintain good working relationships across the College.
• Ability to work with all groups from a variety of academic, socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and with community college students, faculty, and staff, including individuals with disabilities.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, education, nonprofit management, public administration, communications, agriculture, economic development or a related field; or an equivalent of education and experience.
• Two (2) to five (5) years of experience in program management, project coordination, business support services, workforce development, higher education, nonprofit, community engagement, or a related field.  
• Experience managing multiple projects, programs, or operational activities simultaneously.

• An individual who served in the U.S. Military (veteran, reserve, guard) or military spouse.
• Experience working with veterans, military-connected populations, or military-serving organizations.
• Experience in entrepreneurship education, small business development, economic development, workforce development, or agricultural business programs. 
• Experience coordinating training programs, educational programs, cohort-based programs, or grant-funded initiatives.
• Familiarity with CRM systems, Salesforce, or participant tracking platforms.
• Previous grant administration reporting experience.
• Event planning and coordination experience.
• Knowledge of entrepreneurship support resources, SBA resource services, or veteran business assistance programs.
• Program coordination, program delivery experience and/or administrative functions. 
• Outreach and community engagement experience.