WOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Position Overview

Essential Functions

• Develops, recommends, organizes, and implements policies and programs for the Office of Women’s Business Development.
• Acts as a senior field representative, executes critical assignments in providing technical assistance to Women’s businesses, including areas of business and workforce development.
• Creates economic development plans that coordinate and research economic development resources and compiles information to identify economic assets and liabilities.
• As a spokesperson and senior representative, travels to and conducts seminars with business representatives and local government officials.
• Establish and maintains working relationships with business representatives and government officials.
• May support additional target populations for the office with outreach, community engagement, and research.
• 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 in economic development, marketing and business administration. 
• Requires three (3) years of professional administrative experience in business and economic development. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers two (2) or more years of experience working with economic development organizations and chambers of commerce, incubators, universities and/or non-profit specifically who serve Women businesses.
• Prefers two (2) or more years of experience communicating and conducting presentations for Women businesses.
• Prefers two (2) or more years of experience providing Women 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 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.
• 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.