NORTHEAST ECONOMIC REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

State of Illinois; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Illinois seeks a Northeast Regional Economic Development Manager to drive growth by building partnerships and linking firms with state resources.

You will lead regional plans, advocate Illinois as a premier location for business investment, and manage projects from engagement through completion in a hybrid in-office schedule in Chicago and NE region.

Qualifications

• Requires four years of college in economic development, marketing or business administration.
• Requires three years of professional administrative experience in business or economic development.
• Preferred: four+ years in business development, marketing, stakeholder engagement, or government.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Agency for the North East Region.
• Provide technical assistance to manufacturing and technology sectors.
• Create Regional Economic Development Plans coordinating development, transportation, and workforce.
• Establish and maintain relationships with business and government leaders.
• Travel for regional seminars and meetings with stakeholders.
• Perform other duties within the scope of the role.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

CRM experience

Public administration

Policy analysis

Education

MBA or Economics Master

Public administration background

Tools

Salesforce

Microsoft Dynamics

Razors Edge

Job description

Job Requisition ID: 59352

Opening Date: 10/07/2026

Closing Date: 10/22/2026

Agency: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015

Skill Option: General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary Range $8,571 - $9,000 monthly

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time

Number of Vacancies: 1

Bargaining Unit Code: None

Merit Comp Code: Gubernatorial (Management Bill) Exclusion from RC063 Collective Bargaining Coverage

Work Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm

Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: 2 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs

Headquarter Location: 555 W Monroe St, Chicago, Illinois, 60661

Work County: Cook

Agency Contact: [e-mail]

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview

Drive economic growth across Northeast Illinois by building strategic partnerships with businesses, government leaders, and community stakeholders while connecting organizations with State resources, incentives, and economic development opportunities. As the Northeast Regional Economic Development Manager (Public Service Administrator, Option 1), you will lead projects from initial engagement through completion, develop regional economic development strategies, and serve as a key representative promoting Illinois as a premier location for business investment, innovation, workforce development, and job creation.

Essential Functions

• Under general direction of the Deputy Director, serves as Regional Economic Development Manager and represents the Agency for the North East Region.
• Acts as a senior field representative, executes critical assignments in providing technical assistance to, linchpin industries, specifically Manufacturing and technology commercialization, business and workforce development, and clean energy initiatives related to Electric Vehicles and other creation of new infrastructure development throughout the northeast region.
• Creates Regional Economic Development Plans that coordinate and synchronize regional development, transportation, workforce and other related government entities.
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with business representatives and government officials.
• As a spokesperson and senior representatives, travels and conducts seminars at regional level meetings with business representatives and local government officials.
• 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 or business administration.
• Requires three (3) years professional administrative experience in business or economic development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers four (4) or more years of progressively responsible administrative experience in business development, marketing, stakeholder engagement, sales, economic and workforce development, and/or government (I.E. Community Relations, Business Attraction, Expansion, Retention, External Affairs, government affairs, project management, strategic planning, small business support).
• Prefers three (3) or more years of experience working with tax incentive programs, grants, workforce training assistance, infrastructure programs, and other economic development tools.
• Prefers a Master’s degree in business administration or a master’s degree of Science in Economics or Rural and Urban Planning.
• Prefers three (3) years of experience serving as a public-facing representative, including delivering presentations, facilitating meetings, conducting outreach events, and speaking before business and governmental audiences.
• Prefer two (2) or more years of experience working with a Customer Relations Management platform (CRM) to track business engagement, project activity, stakeholder outreach and performance metrics. (Examples include but are not limited to Sales Force, Razors Edge, Microsoft Dynamics).
• Prefer an Economic Development of Finance Professional Certification or a Certified Economic Development Certification.
• Prefers two (2) or more years of experience analyzing economic, demographic, workforce, and industry data to identify regional opportunities, challenges, and emerging market trends.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• 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.

As a State of Illinois employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• A Pension Program
• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
• Benefit time modified for part‑time, 12‑hour, & non‑standard work schedules (as applicable)

• 13 Paid Holidays annually
• 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre‑Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link:

Statement Of Economic Interest

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 Main Form Of Communication Will Be Through Email. Please Check Your “junk Mail”, “spam”, Or “other” Folder For Communication(s) Regarding Any Submitted Application(s). You May Receive Emails From The Following Addresses

• [e-mail]
• [e-mail]