Director, Innovation Programs and Community Engagement
BBB Pacific Southwest, Phoenix, AZ, United States
About the Role
The Director of Innovation Programs and Community Engagement leads Better Business Bureau’s efforts to support small business owners through campus activation, innovative programming, strategic partnerships, and meaningful community engagement.
This Phoenix-based leadership role drives the strategy, growth, and execution of BBB’s portfolio of small business programs while activating ignite sparked by BBB, the organization’s meetings, events, and innovation hub. Through partnerships, programming, and community engagement, the Director positions the campus as a destination for connection and business growth while representing BBB across the regional business community through events, speaking engagements, and media opportunities.
This role is responsible for driving growth, engagement, and revenue for the ignite sparked by BBB campus while expanding BBB’s impact within the regional business community. Success will be reflected in stronger programs, increased campus engagement and utilization, and a growing network of partnerships that expand opportunities for small business owners.
This role plays a key part in strengthening the small business community by bringing together small business owners, partners, and organizations through programs, events, and collaborative initiatives that expand opportunity and drive business growth.
The role oversees a portfolio of programs designed to help small business owners grow through education, connections, and resources. These initiatives include accelerators, bootcamps, summits, workshops, and other learning experiences delivered from the Phoenix campus while supporting innovation programming across BBB’s Pacific Southwest region.
We’re looking for a results-focused leader who can hit the ground running and drive results, strengthening existing programs, increasing campus engagement and revenue, and building partnerships that bring more small business owners and organizations into the hub.
Working closely with the Vice President of Innovation, the Director contributes to the strategic growth and long-term sustainability of BBB’s small business program portfolio through partnerships, sponsorship development, earned revenue opportunities, and grant-supported initiatives.
Key Responsibilities Activate and Grow the ignite sparked by BBB Campus Drive revenue generation for the ignite sparked by BBB campus by expanding external events, partnerships, and strategic programming that support the financial sustainability and growth of the hub Develop and maintain a dynamic calendar of events, workshops, educational programs, and community convenings that bring the business community into the campus Increase engagement and utilization of the campus by cultivating partnerships, programs, and events that consistently attract organizations, leaders, and small business owners Lead the planning and execution of workshops, networking events, educational sessions, and community gatherings Oversee event logistics including scheduling, vendor coordination, budgeting, and on-site execution Ensure the campus consistently provides a welcoming, professional, and high-quality experience for guests, partners, and program participants Lead Entrepreneurship Programs Lead the management and ongoing evolution of existing small business education programs while overseeing the development of new initiatives Develop and refine curriculum, educational content, and learning experiences that support small business owners at different stages of growth Oversee program implementation from planning through execution, ensuring high-quality delivery and strong participant outcomes Identify opportunities to develop new programs and experiences that respond to emerging needs within the small business community Establish program goals, track performance metrics, and evaluate program impact Build Partnerships and Community Engagement Develop and steward strategic partnerships and sponsorship relationships that support program growth and expand opportunities for small business owners Cultivate relationships with organizations, educational institutions, business leaders, and community partners Serve as a connector within the business community by identifying opportunities to convene partners and strengthen collaboration Represent BBB through community events, speaking engagements, and media opportunities Identify partnership opportunities that expand program reach, increase participation, and strengthen BBB’s presence within the business community Operations and Team Leadership Lead the local Innovation team and oversee day-to-day operations of the campus, including meetings, events, programming, and overall coordination Supervise program support staff and campus-related roles as needed Ensure operational systems and processes effectively support programming, partnerships, and events Identify opportunities to improve space utilization, operational efficiency, and program delivery Strategic Partnerships, Sponsorship, and Program Sustainability Cultivate strategic partnerships and sponsorship relationships that generate funding support for programs, events, and small business initiatives Manage program budgets and oversee the implementation and reporting of grant-funded initiatives Assist in identifying grant opportunities and contribute to proposals supporting small business initiatives Collaborate with leadership on partnership proposals, sponsorship opportunities, and program budgets Help ensure programs remain financially sustainable through partnerships, sponsorships, and earned revenue opportunities
Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred Five or more years of leadership experience in small business programs, economic development, nonprofit leadership, business education, or related fields Demonstrated ability to manage program budgets and oversee grant- and sponsor-funded initiatives Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously Leadership experience planning and delivering events, workshops, and community programming Established relationships within the Phoenix small business community Excellent communication and public speaking skills Proven ability to build and sustain strategic partnerships across diverse organizations Comfort operating in a public-facing leadership role representing an organization externally Strong proficiency with modern productivity platforms, project management tools, and emerging technologies including Google Workspace and AI-enabled tools Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds as part of event setup and campus operations Ability to work evenings or weekends based on program and event needs Preferred Qualifications Experience designing and launching new programs or community initiatives supporting small business owners Background as a small business owner or direct experience supporting small businesses Experience working with sponsorship-supported or grant-funded programs Experience managing innovation hubs, coworking spaces, or event-driven venues Background in hospitality, event management, or customer experience environments focused on delivering welcoming, high-quality experiences Bilingual or multilingual language capability preferred Other duties may be assigned as needed to support the mission, programs, and operations of the Better Business Bureau.
About Better Business Bureau For more than 100 years, Better Business Bureau has advanced trust in the marketplace by setting standards for ethical business behavior, supporting businesses that operate with integrity, and helping consumers make informed decisions. BBB works to create a marketplace where businesses and communities thrive through trust, transparency, and accountability. At BBB Pacific Southwest, that mission is carried forward through services that support both local businesses and consumers, while continuing to innovate through programs, partnerships, and community engagement that strengthen the small-business community. Through educational programs, events, and collaborative initiatives, BBB creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect, grow, and build sustainable, ethical businesses. BBB is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
This role plays a key part in strengthening the small business community by bringing together small business owners, partners, and organizations through programs, events, and collaborative initiatives that expand opportunity and drive business growth.
The role oversees a portfolio of programs designed to help small business owners grow through education, connections, and resources. These initiatives include accelerators, bootcamps, summits, workshops, and other learning experiences delivered from the Phoenix campus while supporting innovation programming across BBB’s Pacific Southwest region.
We’re looking for a results-focused leader who can hit the ground running and drive results, strengthening existing programs, increasing campus engagement and revenue, and building partnerships that bring more small business owners and organizations into the hub.
Working closely with the Vice President of Innovation, the Director contributes to the strategic growth and long-term sustainability of BBB’s small business program portfolio through partnerships, sponsorship development, earned revenue opportunities, and grant-supported initiatives.
Key Responsibilities Activate and Grow the ignite sparked by BBB Campus Drive revenue generation for the ignite sparked by BBB campus by expanding external events, partnerships, and strategic programming that support the financial sustainability and growth of the hub Develop and maintain a dynamic calendar of events, workshops, educational programs, and community convenings that bring the business community into the campus Increase engagement and utilization of the campus by cultivating partnerships, programs, and events that consistently attract organizations, leaders, and small business owners Lead the planning and execution of workshops, networking events, educational sessions, and community gatherings Oversee event logistics including scheduling, vendor coordination, budgeting, and on-site execution Ensure the campus consistently provides a welcoming, professional, and high-quality experience for guests, partners, and program participants Lead Entrepreneurship Programs Lead the management and ongoing evolution of existing small business education programs while overseeing the development of new initiatives Develop and refine curriculum, educational content, and learning experiences that support small business owners at different stages of growth Oversee program implementation from planning through execution, ensuring high-quality delivery and strong participant outcomes Identify opportunities to develop new programs and experiences that respond to emerging needs within the small business community Establish program goals, track performance metrics, and evaluate program impact Build Partnerships and Community Engagement Develop and steward strategic partnerships and sponsorship relationships that support program growth and expand opportunities for small business owners Cultivate relationships with organizations, educational institutions, business leaders, and community partners Serve as a connector within the business community by identifying opportunities to convene partners and strengthen collaboration Represent BBB through community events, speaking engagements, and media opportunities Identify partnership opportunities that expand program reach, increase participation, and strengthen BBB’s presence within the business community Operations and Team Leadership Lead the local Innovation team and oversee day-to-day operations of the campus, including meetings, events, programming, and overall coordination Supervise program support staff and campus-related roles as needed Ensure operational systems and processes effectively support programming, partnerships, and events Identify opportunities to improve space utilization, operational efficiency, and program delivery Strategic Partnerships, Sponsorship, and Program Sustainability Cultivate strategic partnerships and sponsorship relationships that generate funding support for programs, events, and small business initiatives Manage program budgets and oversee the implementation and reporting of grant-funded initiatives Assist in identifying grant opportunities and contribute to proposals supporting small business initiatives Collaborate with leadership on partnership proposals, sponsorship opportunities, and program budgets Help ensure programs remain financially sustainable through partnerships, sponsorships, and earned revenue opportunities
Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred Five or more years of leadership experience in small business programs, economic development, nonprofit leadership, business education, or related fields Demonstrated ability to manage program budgets and oversee grant- and sponsor-funded initiatives Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously Leadership experience planning and delivering events, workshops, and community programming Established relationships within the Phoenix small business community Excellent communication and public speaking skills Proven ability to build and sustain strategic partnerships across diverse organizations Comfort operating in a public-facing leadership role representing an organization externally Strong proficiency with modern productivity platforms, project management tools, and emerging technologies including Google Workspace and AI-enabled tools Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds as part of event setup and campus operations Ability to work evenings or weekends based on program and event needs Preferred Qualifications Experience designing and launching new programs or community initiatives supporting small business owners Background as a small business owner or direct experience supporting small businesses Experience working with sponsorship-supported or grant-funded programs Experience managing innovation hubs, coworking spaces, or event-driven venues Background in hospitality, event management, or customer experience environments focused on delivering welcoming, high-quality experiences Bilingual or multilingual language capability preferred Other duties may be assigned as needed to support the mission, programs, and operations of the Better Business Bureau.
About Better Business Bureau For more than 100 years, Better Business Bureau has advanced trust in the marketplace by setting standards for ethical business behavior, supporting businesses that operate with integrity, and helping consumers make informed decisions. BBB works to create a marketplace where businesses and communities thrive through trust, transparency, and accountability. At BBB Pacific Southwest, that mission is carried forward through services that support both local businesses and consumers, while continuing to innovate through programs, partnerships, and community engagement that strengthen the small-business community. Through educational programs, events, and collaborative initiatives, BBB creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect, grow, and build sustainable, ethical businesses. BBB is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.