EAST CENTRAL REGIONAL MANAGER

Position Overview

The Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is looking to hire an East Central Region Manager. This position will join a field team of fourteen managers in the Regional Economic Development (RED) bureau to serve as the face of the DCEO in communities statewide.  Team RED works with businesses, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, consultants, legislators, and other stakeholders to develop and execute strategies for regional economic development, coordinate workforce development efforts, business development/attraction/expansion, local investments, and partnerships.  Most importantly, Team RED represents the State to communities to bring programs, dollars, and new ideas to help their economies grow and attract businesses and jobs with an equity lens.  If you are interested in joining our team of compassionate and community-oriented managers, we invite you to apply for the Regional Economic Development Manager with DCEO. 

Essential Functions

• Serves as region manager and represents the Agency for the East Central Region. 
• Acts as senior field representative, executes critical assignments in providing technical assistance to linchpin industries, specifically focused on the areas of Business and Workforce Development, Energy policy related to ethanol and renewable energy, infrastructure development, and regional port districts, and the adaptive reuse of real estate. 
• Creates Regional Economic Development Plans in consultation with the Senior Region Manager that coordinate and synchronize regional development, transportation, workforce, and other related government entities. 
• Conducts site searches for business firms considering location in the East Central Region. 
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with business representatives and government officials. 
• As spokesperson and senior representative, travels to and conducts seminars at regional level meetings with business representatives and local government officials. 
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of four (4) years of college. 
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in business development, marketing, stakeholder engagement, sales, or economic and workforce development. (I.E. Community Relations, Business Attraction, Expansion, Retention, External Affairs, government affairs, project management, strategic planning, small business support). 

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers one (1) or more years of experience in federal, state, or local government. 
• Prefers one (1) or more years of experience in a Customer Relations Management System (CRM).
• Prefers Economic Development of Finance Professional Certification or a Certified Economic Development Certification.
• Prefers one (1) or more years of experience in analyzing and reporting on outreach and stakeholder engagement data. 

Conditions of Employment

• Requires possession of appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. 
• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history. 
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings. 

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description. 

About the Agency

The mission of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is to create equitable economic opportunities across the State of Illinois. By attracting and supporting major job creators, investing in communities, strengthening Illinois’ world-class workforce, fostering innovation, and ushering in the new clean energy economy, DCEO works to fortify Illinois’ reputation as a global economic powerhouse while ensuring Illinois is the best state to live, work and do business.