Position Title:

Job Group:

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Job Description:

The Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) is seeking a Growth Services Manager to help companies throughout Iowa identify growth opportunities, solve marketing and sales challenges, and strengthen, expand, and retain revenue. In this role, you will work directly with leaders of small- to mid-sized businesses to understand their markets and business objectives, diagnose root-cause issues, and guide them toward practical strategies and solutions that improve business performance.

This position blends marketing and growth expertise with hands-on consulting, business development, project leadership, and relationship building. You will lead client engagements involving marketing strategy, digital marketing, customer discovery, competitive analysis, market research, sales process improvement, positioning and value proposition development, and new product or market opportunities. You will not necessarily be the deepest technical expert in every area. Rather, you must have sufficient marketing and digital marketing knowledge to diagnose client needs, develop sound strategies, ask informed questions, evaluate potential solutions, and determine when specialized expertise is needed. Working with clients, CIRAS colleagues, and third-party specialists, you will integrate that expertise into practical solutions that address the client's underlying business needs.

The ideal candidate brings a passion for helping people and businesses succeed, along with experience applying marketing, sales, and business development practices to achieve measurable results. Success requires a strong foundation in marketing strategy and working knowledge of digital marketing sufficient to diagnose needs, ask informed questions, evaluate recommendations, and work effectively with specialists. Just as important are initiative, sound business judgment, curiosity, organization, follow-through, and the ability to influence others without relying on formal authority. The successful candidate will be comfortable acknowledging the limits of their expertise and actively seeking additional knowledge or specialized resources when client needs require it.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop client opportunities through professional relationships, educational activities, networking, referrals, existing clients, and collaboration with CIRAS colleagues.
• Apply knowledge of marketing, sales, digital marketing, and other growth-related practices to help clients identify appropriate strategies and solutions that achieve business results.
• Engage clients in a consultative manner to clarify root-cause issues, determine what they need rather than simply what they request, propose appropriate solutions, and create alignment and support for action.
• Translate client needs into clear, actionable project scopes, including proposal development, budgeting, expected outcomes, value communication, and alignment on execution expectations.
• Identify when specialized expertise is needed; select and engage appropriate CIRAS or third-party resources; and provide sufficient leadership and subject-matter judgment to evaluate, challenge when appropriate, and integrate specialized recommendations into coherent client solutions.
• Present recommendations and proposals, communicate business value, address concerns and objections, and guide clients toward informed decisions and commitment.
• Lead and manage complex client engagements from opportunity through implementation, often involving clients, third-party resources, CIRAS colleagues, and multiple business disciplines; anticipate and resolve issues, maintain stakeholder accountability, and keep delivery aligned with approved strategy, scope, timeline, budget, and expected outcomes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, third-party resources, colleagues, and other stakeholders; identify evolving needs and additional opportunities where CIRAS can create value.
• Plan and facilitate workshops, webinars, training sessions, and client discussions that build capability, strengthen relationships, and create business opportunities.
• Manage project scope, timelines, budgets, deliverables, communications, documentation, invoicing, and other administrative requirements; evaluate completed engagements and ensure appropriate project closeout.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, business management, or a related field.
• 5-10 years of progressive experience in marketing, business development, consulting, or related work, including demonstrated responsibility for leading initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated understanding of marketing strategy, including segmentation and targeting, positioning and value propositions, customer and market research, marketing planning, lead generation, digital marketing, and the relationship between marketing and sales.
• Experience working directly with business leaders to diagnose needs, distinguish underlying business problems from requested solutions, develop recommendations, and translate strategy into action.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and initiatives through others, including organizing work, engaging internal or external subject-matter experts, resolving issues, maintaining accountability, and driving work to completion.
• Experience developing business opportunities through relationships, networking, referrals, educational activities, or consultative selling.
• Experience working with small- to mid-sized businesses and/or manufacturers is preferred.

About the Department:

The Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) helps Iowa businesses solve complex problems and move forward with confidence.

As part of the Iowa State University College of Engineering and Economic Development and Industry Relations, we connect companies to innovative expertise, applied research, and strategic resources that drive real results.

Since 1963, CIRAS has partnered with Iowa businesses to strengthen leadership, improve operations, grow markets, and build skilled workforces. We bring practical industry knowledge, an objective perspective, and access to a powerful statewide network.

For more information visit the CIRAS Website

This is a term position with an end date of October 31, 2027, with the potential for renewal based on funding availability.

This is a remote-Iowa position; therefore, the employee must reside in the state of Iowa before their first day of employment.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Appointment Type:

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

Time Type:

Pay Grade:

Original Posting Date:

Posting Close Date:

Job Requisition Number:

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email [email protected].

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.