Missouri APEX Accelerator Program Manager - Columbia, MO

The University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement

Business & Community Extension Program

MU TITLE: Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Professional

LOCATION: Columbia, Missouri with additional service across the state as needed.

SPECIALIST EMPHASIS

The Missouri Apex Accelerator Program Manager provides strategic leadership and oversight of all program operations for the Missouri Apex Accelerator. This role ensures compliance with Department of Defense (DoD) grant requirements while delivering high-quality technical assistance to businesses seeking government contracting opportunities. This role involves building and sustaining partnerships with DoD stakeholders, government agencies, industry partners, and other key stakeholders, while also managing fiscal operations, reporting, and staff development. As the Principal Investigator of the Apex Accelerator grant, the Program Manager advances the academic and practical impact of the program, collaborates with other MU Extension Business Development initiatives, represents the Apex Accelerator at public events, all while ensuring that program outcomes align with evolving DoD priorities, federal regulations, and the broader mission of MU Extension to strengthen Missouri's businesses and communities.

Program specialization: The Missouri APEX Accelerator Program Manager at the University of Missouri is responsible for leading a Department of Defense grant-funded program that empowers Missouri businesses to successfully pursue and perform on federal, state, and local government contracts. This program is a key initiative with MU Extension's Business Development Program, which itself operates under the Business and Communities Impact Area of MU Extension.

Small and medium enterprises are an essential element of the Missouri economy generating new jobs, increasing sales, attracting investments and contributing to the tax base. The Business Development Program is an important component of the state's economic development strategy and the University of Missouri's economic development mission. For more information about extension's business APEX Accelerator program visit https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/apex-accelerator.

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 Missouri Apex Accelerator Program Manager.

The expected workload distribution for this role at appointment will be 20% Extension Teaching, 20% Traditional Service, and 60% Administrative Activity. Essential duties of this position include:

Extension Teaching (20%)

• Statewide Program Development
  • Lead the design, delivery, and evaluation of APEX Accelerator programs.
  • Ensure programs are nationally competitive, responsive to Missouri's procurement landscape, and aligned with DoD grant objectives.
  • Drive innovation in curriculum, program delivery, and professional development.
  • Integrate research-based practices into program development.
  • Advance scholarship around the work of the APEX Accelerators program.

Traditional Service (20%)

• Engage in internal and external service, including serving in national organizations relating to APEX Accelerators.

Administrative Activity (60%)

• Serve as the principal investigator of the Apex Accelerator grant, ensuring compliance with all grant, reporting, and regulatory requirements.
• Continuously improve program outcomes and maintain alignment with university and grantor standards.
• Build and sustain relationships with DoD, government, university and industry partners. Identify and build relationships with new partners, including new partners who will add additional resources to the APEX Accelerator program.
• Represent the APEX Accelerator and MU Extension at public events and forums.
• Communicate program impact and support statewide procurement education initiatives.
• Oversee financial operations, including budgeting, grant administration, and resource allocation.
• Ensure accountability and compliance with university and DoD fiscal policies.
• Identify and secure additional revenue streams to support program growth.
• Lead, monitor, and supervise APEX Accelerator faculty and staff to foster excellence and professional growth.
• Set clear goals, establish performance measures, and ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Ensure all activities meet university, DoD, and federal regulations and requirements, including civil rights and accessibility standards.
• Prepare and present reports and documentation to demonstrate program integrity and impact.

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.

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.

A master's degree in business management, marketing, finance, economics, or related areas. Related areas include government procurement, marketing, finance, accounting, management, human resources, operations management, e-commerce, or entrepreneurship.

Candidates will be evaluated on:

Years of experience in business management, marketing, or finance. Related areas include 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 experience in government contracting, operating and managing a business engaged in government contracting, or consulting with businesses seeking government contracts.

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

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 $82,000.00, 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.