Description
Reporting to the Manager, Strategic Initiatives, the FAST Center Program Coordinator leads the outreach, education, and pipeline development activities of the South Carolina FAST Center. Working in close coordination with the 3PhaseSC implementation team and SBDC partners, the Program Coordinator serves as the primary point of contact for entrepreneurs and small businesses at the awareness and preparation stages of SBIR/STTR engagement. This is a mission-critical role for South Carolina's statewide SBIR/STTR support system.
Essential Functions:
- SBIR/STTR Education, Outreach, and Pipeline Development (50%)
- Plan and execute statewide outreach events, monthly webinars, and educational programming in partnership with SBDC and other ecosystem partners. Maintain active engagement with a pipeline of 60+ companies annually, providing guidance on SBIR/STTR eligibility, agency fit, and program requirements. Facilitate warm handoffs to 3PhaseSC for submission-ready clients.
- Partner Coordination and Network Building (30%)
- Build and maintain relationships with SBDC counselors, Women's Business Centers, University partners, APEX Accelerator, rural economic development organizations, and other ecosystem partners. Coordinate co-programming and joint outreach to reach entrepreneurs underrepresented in SBIR/STTR programs, with deliberate focus on rural communities.
- Social Media, Digital Communications, and Marketing (10%)
- Manage FAST Center social media channels and coordinate with SCRA communications staff. Develop and distribute monthly email updates, program announcements, and client success content. Maintain digital program materials including webinar recordings and SBIR/STTR resource guides.
- Reporting and Program Administration (10%)
- Prepare and submit quarterly performance reports to SBA in accordance with SF-PPR and FAST reporting requirements. Maintain accurate records of client engagements, event attendance, proposal metrics, and demographic data. Support annual program review and contribute to planning for program improvement.
- Additional duties as assigned.
Requirements
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years of experience in entrepreneurship support, startup ecosystem development, research commercialization, non-dilutive funding, program management, or related fields.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, partner relationships, and programmatic deadlines.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills; experience with digital communications and social media management.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiarity with SBIR/STTR programs and federal innovation funding.
- Experience serving entrepreneurs in innovation and growth focused research and development companies
- Experience with federal grant reporting and compliance.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in entrepreneurship support, startup ecosystem development, research commercialization, non-dilutive funding, program management, or a related field
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, partner relationships, and programmatic deadlines
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Experience with digital communications and social media management
- Familiarity with SBIR/STTR programs and federal innovation funding
- Experience serving entrepreneurs in innovation- and growth-focused research and development companies
- Experience with federal grant reporting and compliance
What We Do
Chartered in 1983 as a public non-profit corporation, the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) accelerates technology-enabled growth in research, academia, entrepreneurship, and industry. It fuels South Carolina's innovation economy by providing funding and support for academic startups, high-quality laboratory and administrative workspaces, and facilitation of partnerships between industry and academia to promote the development of high technology industries.
