ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC (AAPI) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MGR.

Position Overview

The AAPI Business Development Manager leads strategic efforts within the Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (OE3) to create, implement, and manage statewide programs that support the growth and success of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-owned businesses. This role requires a proactive and community-focused leader who can engage with AAPI business owners, stakeholders, and partners across Illinois to ensure equitable access to economic development resources, programs, and opportunities.

Essential Functions

• Formulates the strategic planning program, setting priorities for economic and business development for AAPI businesses.
  • Develops partnership program policy between state agencies to provide policy protocol for developing economic and community development projects and incentive packages that incorporate program facets of DCEO programs and multi-state agency program resources.
  • Initiates and implements intra and inter agency resources, directs and identifies appropriate programs for AAPI business projects.
  • Serves on committees and councils as appropriate, and supports appointed councils as needed.
  • Conducts research on business and industry trends to support AAPI businesses.
• Develops partnerships with AAPI minority businesses, industries, and local governments to develop programs that promote economic development.
  • Travels to communities to develop liaisons and strengthen economic development specific to the AAPI business owners.
  • Develops customized services to target specific needs.
  • Determines and conveys to the Agency’s legislative office legislative proposals and changes that will bring economic enhancements to the AAPI business needs.
• Leverages and directs business development programs for AAPI business initiatives.
  • Engages DCEO bureaus to direct business resources to AAPI businesses, while identifying and leveraging economic development tools to support AAPI business industries that will bring the largest opportunity for economic growth.
• Provides fiscal and grant management support for DCEO grants and programs.
  • Assists with grant and program administration relating to AAPI-business focused activities, including reporting, stakeholder management, accountability, and outreach. 
  • Evaluates and determines program effectiveness and impact.

Essential Functions (Cont.)

• Serves as full-line supervisor:
  • Assigns and reviews work
  • Provides guidance and training to assigned staff
  • Counsels staff regarding work performance
  • Reassigns staff to meet day-to-day operating needs
  • Establishes annual goals and objectives
  • Approves time off
  • Adjusts first level grievances
  • Effectively recommends and imposes discipline up to and including discharge
  • Prepares and signs performance evaluations
  • Determines and recommends staffing needs
• 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 years of college, with coursework in economic development, marketing, business administration, public administration, or closely related fields of study.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to four years progressively responsible administrative experience in public or business administration, or economic development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers three (3) or more years of experience working with economic development organizations and chambers of commerce specifically in the AAPI communities.
• Prefers three (3) or more years of experience communicating and conducting presentations in the AAPI community.
• Prefers three (3) or more years of experience providing AAPI business owners one-on-one business support.
• Prefers at least one (1) year experience in proven ability to create and implement economic and strategic plans.
• Prefers one (1) or more years in project management.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• 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.