BACKEND GRANT PROGRAM MANAGER

Position Overview

The Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) seeks a Backend Grant Program Manager (PSA, opt 1) to lead grant management efforts. The Program Manager will direct a team that administers business and workforce development grants, ensures compliance, guides program implementation, and advances departmental economic development goals through coordinated, high-quality grant management. We encourage all eligible candidates to apply.

Essential Functions

• Develops administrative guidelines for business development grants.
• For business development grants, controls operations (obligations and expenditures) and audit of program performance. Directs the review of all reimbursement requests to ensure compliance with funding agreement.
• Coordinates efforts with DCEO Office of Business Development staff in furthering the department's goals and objectives through program utilization. Provides necessary direction in developing grant projects and provides technical assistance to grantees.
• Serves as full line supervisor.
• Confers with Grant Management Unit Administrator and other agency management staff on program status and grant approvals on a routine basis.
• Provides in-service training to DCEO personnel, community colleges and other education staff, local economic development officials and community leaders.
• Directs and establishes program priorities in order to assist the department in reaching goals and objectives.
• 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, with courses in business administration or related fields.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three years of administrative experience in a public or business organization with program administration responsibility, preferably with business industry related experience.
• Requires three (3) years of direct supervisor or lead worker experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers three (3) years’ experience in grant administration or grant monitoring of federal, state, or local grants.
• Prefers three (3) years’ experience with fiscal and performance/program reporting, including skill in reviewing reports for quality control and compliance with state and/or federal statutes.
• Prefers at least two (2) years’ experience managing or leading economic development programs, tax incentives, or technical assistance (State and Local).
• Prefers at least two (2) years’ experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Prefers at least two (2) years’ experience working with business communities to ensure compliance with program requirements.
• Prefers at least two (2) years’ experience working with financial documents, including financial statements related to business operations.
• Prefers at least two (2) years’ experience collecting and analyzing data, developing recommendations, and presenting recommendations to executive staff.
• Prefers at least two (2) years’ experience in a public-facing role that includes presenting and/or promoting.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• 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.