MANAGER OF CERTIFICATION / COMPLIANCE

City of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Chicago seeks a Manager of Certification / Compliance to lead the Division of Certification/Compliance within the Department of Procurement Services. You will supervise staff, review certifications (MBE/WBE/DBE), and ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and internal policies.

The role requires interpreting complex guidelines, coordinating outreach, and managing site visits and audits. Strong leadership and analytical skills are essential for success in this municipal department.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business administration, Public Administration or a directly related field, plus six (6) years of professional work experience involving the review and analysis of financial records, OR program auditing/ monitoring work, OR investigative research and reporting.
• Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a directly related field, plus five (5) years of professional work experience involving the review and analysis of financial records, OR program auditing/ monitoring work, OR investigative research and reporting

Responsibilities

• Reviews certification applications and monitors contract compliance for MBEs/WBEs/DBEs and related programs.
• Directs Certification/Compliance Officers and ensures reviews meet policies and standards.
• Provides guidance on complex certification and contract compliance issues.
• Interprets and communicates program policies to staff, contractors, and management.
• Oversees outreach, workshops and information sessions on certification requirements.
• Meets with contractors and city personnel to explain compliance rules and penalties.
• Supervises site visits to monitor contract compliance and reporting.
• Reviews close-out audit reports to evaluate vendor compliance.
• Prepares management reports and contributes to long-term policy planning.
• Plans training and staff development, conducts performance evaluations and hiring activities.

Skills

Supervision

Policy interpretation

Contract compliance

Staff development

Outreach coordination

Training & development

Performance evaluations

Reporting & analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Public Administration

Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or related field

Job description

MANAGER OF CERTIFICATION / COMPLIANCE

DEPARTMENT OF PROCURMENT SERVICES

Division of Certification/Compliance

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $125,316.00

(New hires are paid the starting rate. Current employees' pay rate is determined by their job title and years of service.)

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 7/23/26.

Under the direction of the Deputy Procurement Manager, manages and directs the operations of the Department of Procurement Services' Certification/Compliance Division. Supervises staff responsible for reviewing certification applications and monitoring contract compliance for businesses seeking City and applicable federal certifications, including MBE/WBE, DBE, BEPD, and ACDBE. Ensures certification and compliance activities are conducted accurately, consistently, and in accordance with applicable City, state, and federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Reviews reports and recommendations prepared by staff regarding the approval or disapproval of applications from business enterprises seeking certifications (e.g. MBE/WBE, DBE, BEPD), ensuring that approved businesses meet certification requirements
• Assigns work and monitors the work of Certification/Compliance Officers, ensuring that the review and analysis of applications and support documents (e.g. tax returns, financial records) comply with established work policies and standards
• Provide direction to Senior Certification / Compliance Officers on legal and complex issues relating to approval or disapproval of certification to business enterprises, issues relating to contract compliance, and enforcement of non-compliance sanctions
• Interprets policies and guidelines of City's certification programs and contract compliance requirements and regulations to subordinate staff, contractors, business owners, and departmental managers
• Provides oversight and participates in the planning of outreach events and works with staff in providing information and promoting the City's certification and compliance programs; oversees and participates in conducting workshops to explain the application process and certification and compliance requirements
• Meets with contractors and city personnel to explain M/W/DBE, EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity), CRO (Chicago Residency Ordinance) contract compliance and reporting requirements and penalties for non-compliance
• Oversee and monitors staff conducting site visits of construction projects to monitor contract compliance with MBE/WBE requirements, EEO and CRO guidelines, and other federal, state, and local requirements
• Reviews reports submitted by staff conducting close-out audits to evaluate overall contract compliance by vendors
• Prepares comprehensive reports on work activities for management use; as part of management team, provides input on long-term planning and policy development
• Plans and implements on-going training and staff development programs for subordinate staff
• Conducts performance evaluations and initiates disciplinary procedures as required; participates in the hiring of staff; performs other administrative functions relating to the management of staff

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location:City Hall, 121 N. La Salle St, Suite 806

Days:Monday - Friday

Hours:8:30am - 4:30pm

THIS POSITION IS NOT IN CAREER SERVICE

QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Business administration, Public Administration or a directly related field, plus six (6) years of professional work experience involving the review and analysis of financial records, OR program auditing/ monitoring work, OR work involving fact finding analysis and investigative research and reporting, OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a directly related field, plus five (5) years of professional work experience involving the review and analysis of financial records, OR program auditing/ monitoring work, OR work involving fact finding analysis and investigative research and reporting

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview which will include a written exercise and/or a skills assessment test as part of the interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the oral and written parts of the interview will be selected.

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at: City of Chicago :: Classification and Pay Plan

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. The Department of Human Resources staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference for applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor