WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER (WBC) CENTER DIRECTOR in Chicago, Illinois at Puerto Rican Cultural Center

Founded in 1973, The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) is a non-profit, community-based umbrella institution that seeks to serve the socio-cultural needs of Chicago’s Puerto Rican and Latino community. It is built on the following principles: a philosophy of self-determination, a methodology of self-actualization and critical thought, and an ethics of self-reliance best expressed in the motto, “To live and help to live.”

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Women’s Business Center (WBC) Center Director will lead and manage the daily operations and strategic direction of the PRCC’s Women’s Business Center. The Director will ensure the delivery of high-quality business support services specifically designed to assist women entrepreneurs and small business owners. This includes overseeing training, advising, outreach, and partnership development. The Director will coordinate the implementation of programs aligned with the mission and goals of the WBC and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), while maintaining cultural relevance and a strong presence in the Puerto Rican and broader Latino community. This position requires strong leadership, business advising experience, administrative capacity, and a passion for empowering women-owned businesses.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfy each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day supervision of WBC staff and programs.
• Develop and implement a culturally competent annual training calendar addressing the needs of women entrepreneurs.
• Deliver one-on-one business advising in areas such as business planning, financial management, licensing, market analysis, and risk mitigation.
• Coordinate marketing, outreach, and promotional strategies to ensure high visibility and engagement of women entrepreneurs in the center’s services.
• Maintain accurate client files and records in accordance with SBA and PRCC standards.
• Assist clients with referrals to appropriate PRCC programs or other community, local, and state economic development resources.
• Support women-led startups and small businesses with grant applications, business certifications, and resource navigation.
• Ensure compliance with SBA grant requirements, including performance metrics and monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting.
• Foster partnerships with community organizations, chambers, government agencies, and financial institutions.
• Organize and lead WBC-related events, workshops, and conferences.
• Represent the WBC in PRCC events and major organizational initiatives.
• Support efforts to secure additional funding and sponsorships to expand the impact of the center.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide strategic leadership and day-to-day supervision of WBC staff and programs.
• Develop and implement a culturally competent annual training calendar addressing the needs of women entrepreneurs.
• Deliver one-on-one business advising in areas such as business planning, financial management, licensing, market analysis, and risk mitigation.
• Coordinate marketing, outreach, and promotional strategies to ensure high visibility and engagement of women entrepreneurs in the center’s services.
• Maintain accurate client files and records in accordance with SBA and PRCC standards.
• Assist clients with referrals to appropriate PRCC programs or other community, local, and state economic development resources.
• Support women-led startups and small businesses with grant applications, business certifications, and resource navigation.
• Ensure compliance with SBA grant requirements, including performance metrics and monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting.
• Foster partnerships with community organizations, chambers, government agencies, and financial institutions.
• Organize and lead WBC-related events, workshops, and conferences.
• Represent the WBC in PRCC events and major organizational initiatives.
• Support efforts to secure additional funding and sponsorships to expand the impact of the center.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Nonprofit Management, Community Development, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in small business development, entrepreneurship, or nonprofit management.
• Experience advising or supporting women-led businesses or women-focused programs is highly preferred.
• Strong administrative, organizational, and communication skills.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Passion for PRCC’s mission and for advancing women’s economic empowerment in underserved communities.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.
• Demonstrated proactive approach to problem-solving with strong decision-making capability.
• A proven track record of successfully developing and maintaining business, community, and industry partner relationships.
• Ability to write, create reports, and prepare PowerPoint presentations for training purposes (English and Spanish).
• Proficient with Google Apps including: Gmail, Google Calendar, Drive, and Docs.
• Intermediate level of proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and meet established goals and deadlines.
• Willingness to work flexible, varying hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a welcoming workplace that celebrates inclusion and diversity. The PRCC provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants and does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, or promotion based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other basis or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, the PRCC is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

OSHA Category 3 – Involves no regular exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, and tasks that involve exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues are not a condition of employment.

Job Type: Full Time

Benefits: Health, Vision, Dental, PTO