Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600 schools and employing approximately 40,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.
The Office of Business Diversity is responsible for the administration and monitoring of the Remedial Program for Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) which is intended to help create and sustain an equitable business environment by promoting the participation in public contracting and procurement of all qualified and available businesses owned and controlled by minorities and women.
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Senior Manager of Business Diversity, the Senior Business Diversity Compliance Specialist will work directly with internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement strategic plans within their assigned categories, thereby helping to ensure the development and capacity building of diverse suppliers for the District. The Specialist is responsible to represent CPS in a positive manner and implement outreach strategies that drive greater participation and promote the district's goals to increase equity.
The Senior Business Diversity Compliance Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Administers organizational programs and targeted outreach events and meetings aimed at addressing the needs of the Office of Business Diversity.
• Participates in pre-submittal conferences in designated categories to interpret and explain guidelines and submission requirements of the MWBE Program.
• Reviews Bid solicitations and acts as a voting committee member for all advertised solicitations.
• Monitors the monthly tracking of designated contracts for MBE and WBE participation.
• Conducts dispute resolution services, investigates allegations of discrimination, fraud and non-compliance issues.
• Provide advocacy support to assist potential vendors in overcoming barriers to reach their goal of becoming a CPS vendor.
• Monitors the monthly tracking and reporting of relationship building activities focused on business to business and business to District relationships.
• Working closely with the OBD Compliance team, monitor and track the awarding of contracts to ensure the inclusion of identified vendors.
• Represents the District at various city outreach events and coordinates the participation of key internal stakeholders.
• Prepare, organize, analyze and report on district MBE and WBE data as established by Leadership's metrics and goals.
• Completes special assignments and projects, instrumental to the function of the department.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Senior Business Diversity Compliance Specialist must possess the following qualifications:
Education Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required.

Experience Required:

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in compliance, business diversity, canvassing, project management, business development or a related field, including experience with procurement practices, assessing the strength and weakness of a business to provide insightful recommendations to address deficiencies for future opportunities.
• Previous experience in engaging different communities and different levels of stakeholders to build partnerships that support goals and drive results preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to coach and work in different environments with different personalitiesproven experience in relationship management
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Exceptional negotiating, problem solving and conflict resolution skills
• Proficient in Oracle, B2Gnow Software, Excel,

Conditions of Employment
As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. "Up-to-date" on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.