Assistant Deputy Director, Rural and Regional Economic Development

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is seeking a dynamic Assistant Deputy Director for Rural and Regional Economic Development to help drive growth and opportunity across rural communities in Illinois. This role will lead strategic initiatives to support business attraction, retention and expansion, workforce development, and infrastructure investment in small towns and agricultural regions. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, policy insight, and a passion for advancing equitable economic opportunities. Join us in shaping the future of Illinois’ rural economy!

Essential Functions

• Plans, develops, implements and controls strategic long-term planning for the assigned regions within the Office of Regional Economic Development.
• Develops, implements, administers, and enforces related operating procedures and programs for the rural economic development service and coordination between internal agency programs and multi-state agency programs on both a statewide and regional level.
• Develops liaisons and partnerships between public, private and non-for-profit sectors, at the Federal, State and local levels, providing staff support and assistance to communities and businesses located in rural communities.
• Serves as full-line supervisor.
• Conducts financial forecasting for impending program allocations to determine feasibility of funding new program economic development projects. 
• Performs special project assignments for the Deputy Director. 
• Performs other duties as required or assigned whihc are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Requres knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college with courses in business, marketing and economic development. 
• Requires prior experience equivalent to four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the management of public administration programs in economic development with a particular focus on economic development in rural Illinois. 

Conditions of Employment

• 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. 
• 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.