REGIONAL FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT SPECIALIST - ASIA AND ASIA/PACIFIC

Position Overview

This position serves as the Asia and Asia Pacific Regional Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Specialist (PSA) for the Illinois Department of Commerce’s Office of Trade and Investment (OTI). The Regional FDI Specialist for Asia and Asia Pacific will develop programs to promote Illinois within the region, and support inbound investment through close company and stakeholder engagement.  Key responsibilities include coordination and execution of FDI activities in the region, promoting Illinois’ value proposition to potential investors, associations and government audiences, and supporting inbound investment projects.  We invite motivated individuals to apply. 

Essential Functions

• Develops the Office of Trade & Investment’s (OTI) foreign direct investment (FDI) program for the Asia and Asia Pacific Region, including implementing and directing activities to attract out-of-country clients to establish, maintain or expand facilities and or operations in Illinois.
• Collaborates with various public and private economic development entities and Illinois service providers in the development and implementation of a statewide foreign direct investment strategy and serves as primary point person state-side for the Asia and Asia Pacific region.
• Serves as project manager for business expansion and relocation opportunities from the Asia and Asia Pacific region.
• Develops and implements program goals, objectives, performance measures and management plans for the Asia and Asia Pacific Region functions of the Office of Trade and Investment.
• Conducts and oversees complex research and analysis and keeps abreast of foreign direct investment markets, economic trends and international trade policies in Asia and Asia Pacific in order to develop and advise long term strategies and goals for marketing and promoting Illinois company’s products and services.
• 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, preferably with courses in business, marketing or international studies.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization, and experience working with international business either in the public or private sector.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers three (3) years or more experience working on international trade performing duties such as market research or business lead generation. 
• Prefers three (3) years or more experience in sales, marketing, business development or business counseling with a focus on international markets. 
• Prefers two (2) years or more experience with end-to-end accountability (owning, managing, and delivering) for multiple projects simultaneously. 
• Prefers two (2) years or more experience in public facing role that includes presenting or promoting both in domestic and international settings. 
• Prefers two (2) years or more experience collecting and analyzing data, developing recommendations, and presenting to executive leadership.
• Prefers two (2) years or more experience developing or managing a budget. 
• Prefers intermediate-level experience with client management systems, including maintaining client records, tracking client interactions, generating and analyzing client reports; and, prefers intermediate-level experience with project management systems by creating and managing project plans, monitoring project progress through reports and dashboards, and maintaining accurate documentation and data.
• Prefers intermediate-level experience in the utilization of spreadsheet software, document creation, email, and cloud-based platforms by independently creating reports, managing communications, maintaining records, and collaborating through shared online platforms.

Conditions of Employment

• 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.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires ability to travel both domestically and internationally in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires the ability to work outside of normal office hours to communicate with clients/partners/colleagues in different time zones.

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. 

As a State of Illinois employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• A Pension Program
• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment) 
• Benefit time modified for part-time, 12-hour, & non-standard work schedules (as applicable)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee.html