LOANS & GRANTS MANAGER

Position Overview

Under the direction of the Cannabis and OMEE Loans and Grants Manager, in the Office of Minority Economic Development Empowerment (OMEE), this position assists with the management and administration of business development loans and grants programs with an emphasis on programs that serve minority and underserved businesses and individuals. OMEE is committed to providing minority-, women-, persons with disabilities and veteran-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs across the state with equitable access to opportunities and resources. We welcome all interested applicants who share the same passion towards minority empowerment to apply

Essential Functions

• Provides technical assistance to business development representatives to coordinate activities of programs related to cannabis social equity and - business development grants and programs, including meetings and presentations.
• Provides technical assistance to potential grantees to adhere with the Grant Accountability & Transparency Act, and other grant and program deliverables.
• Assists Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE) Loans and Grants program manager on program deliverables, grantee administration and compliance, stakeholder engagement, partnerships and outreach.
• Serves as liaison to program partners to monitor programs, align strategy and resources, and expand impact.
• Assists program manager on reviews to evaluate/monitor businesses and/or organizations seeking or having received funding under Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment programs.
• 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 completion of four (4) years of college with concentration in one or more of the following fields: industrial development, business administration, economic geography, marketing or economics; appropriate business experience may be substituted for college on a year-for-year basis.
• Requires two (2) years of professional experience in the field of industrial and/or community economic development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers educational courses in public administration, business, economics, finance or other relevant fields. 
• Prefers two (2) or more years of experience in business, nonprofit or public programs with an emphasis in grants management, administration of business loans, or program management.
• Prefers two (2) or more years of experience with management of grants and programs.
• Prefers two (2) or more years experience with state programs and resources available to industries and communities for economic development purposes.
• Prefers two (2) or more years experience meeting with community leaders and stakeholders and presenting to them on agency programs and resources.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires 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 form.

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.