Executive Director, Regional Economic Growth

CO01 Southern Illinois Hospital Services Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 97,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Illinois Healthcare is seeking an Executive Director for SI Now to lead a strategic initiative across 17 counties in Southern Illinois, driving economic growth, talent attraction, and regional development. The role involves engaging with site selectors, managing grants, and coordinating with state agencies to accelerate business attraction.

The position requires a strong background in economic development, strategic planning, and leadership, with a track record of attracting new

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in business administration or related field.
• Master’s degree in business, public administration, or other related field preferred.
• Graduate of an accredited economic development program is preferred.
• 7 years of business or economic development experience in business development, regional economic analysis, marketing, land development, redevelopment.
• 3 years of supervisory experience.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills with an ability to clearly explain long-term, complex plans and alternatives in both private and public meetings and presentations.
• Ability to prepare and present concise and effective written reports, interpret and administer policy, and design and implement an annual business plan.
• Must be able to use Microsoft Outlook to professionally correspond with staff and clients, maintain current contact lists, and maintain appointments using calendars and track projects.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Critical thinking and independent problem solving is a must.
• Ability to appropriately handle confidential information.
• Proven track record of working and winning new business locations and assisting existing businesses.
• Effective negotiating skills.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and juggle multiple tasks.
• Must possess good organizational, management, human relations, and technical skills.
• General knowledge of business principles and economic factors as they relate to business and economic ecosystems.
• Knowledge of and experience in non-profit management of economic development organizations and economic development programs.
• Knowledge of trends, developments, and techniques in the field of economic development and nonprofit administration.
• Industrial real estate knowledge is desired.

Responsibilities

• Engage site selectors via face-to-face meetings in large metropolitan areas and Southern Illinois community visits.
• Identify and pursue opportunities in target industry clusters.
• Identify data- and research-driven target industries that are poised for success in Southern Illinois and will provide high wage jobs.
• Represent SI Now at trade shows in target high-wage industries, follow up via direct meetings with leads from trade show.
• Identify and pursue upstream / downstream supply chain opportunities for SI industries and business in collaboration with Southern Illinois industry and business leaders.
• Collaborate with state-wide agencies and organizations such as Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Illinois Economic Development Corporation to accelerate business attraction in Southern Illinois.
• Ensure the routing of business/site selector inquiries to SI Now counties / cities according to a collaboratively developed process with economic development partners in SI for when there are leads for business to expand / relocate in Southern Illinois.
• Execute a seamless and frictionless process to help owners explore and decide whether to expand / relocate a business in Southern Illinois by providing the highest level of customer service in response to each inquiry.
• Work with economic development entities to ensure that all properties and sites are uploaded to a common platform to provide a comprehensive view of what is available in Southern Illinois.
• Assist with site requests for information (RFI) responses as needed.
• Analyze and share business and economic data for the southern 17 counties.
• Identify target talent markets using data and research to target markets most likely to move to Southern Illinois.
• Employ targeted digital advertising to connect with target markets through a variety of mediums.
• Implement social media strategy to elevate perceptions of Southern Illinois internally and externally.
• Supervise SI Now staff members.
• Collaborate with partnering organizations that are providing in-kind administrative support and services for SI Now.
• Cultivate and maintain strong, trusted relationships with community leaders, businesses, and key regional stakeholders through ongoing engagement.
• Collaborate with the SI Now Board, Task Forces, and strategic partners to advance organizational goals and long‑term sustainability.
• Lead and support initiatives with education and workforce partners to strengthen the regional talent pipeline and workforce readiness.
• Manage the full external grant lifecycle, securing and administering funding to advance SI Now's strategic priorities.

Skills

Economic development

Leadership

Strategic planning

Public speaking

Negotiation

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field

Master’s degree in business, public administration, or related field

Graduate of an accredited economic development program

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Southern Illinois Healthcare is seeking an Executive Director for SI Now to lead a strategic initiative across 17 counties in Southern Illinois, driving economic growth, talent attraction, and regional development. The role involves engaging with site selectors, managing grants, and coordinating with state agencies to accelerate business attraction.

The position requires a strong background in economic development, strategic planning, and leadership, with a track record of attracting new