Bi-State Regional Commission (BSRC), IL - Executive Director

SGR • Rock Island, IL

11d • $135,000 - $160,000

About The Position

Bi-State Regional Commission (BSRC) is seeking a practical, collaborative, and forward-looking regional executive to lead one of the Midwest’s most distinctive bi-state planning and intergovernmental organizations. This is a rare opportunity to guide a respected regional commission through its first Executive Director transition in more than 25 years while advancing transportation, infrastructure, economic development, and regional cooperation across a five-county, two-state region (the Quad Cities on the Mississippi River in Iowa and Illinois).

The Commission is seeking an executive who brings:
• Transportation planning, funding, and regional infrastructure credibility
• Experience leading grant-funded public or intergovernmental organizations
• Skill building trust with elected officials, member governments, state/federal partners, and staff
• The ability to strengthen economic development, grant strategy, and member-service value across the region

The role requires visible neutrality, sound public-sector judgment, and the ability to lead through influence rather than formal authority. Bi-State’s value is grounded in trust, technical credibility, funding leverage, and practical service to member governments throughout the five-county region. The organization provides transportation planning, community and economic development, grant administration, GIS and mapping services, environmental planning, and regional collaboration that benefits member governments throughout the five-county region.

Reporting directly to the Commission, the Executive Director leads approximately 18 employees and manages an annual operating budget of approximately $2.5 million supported through federal, state, local, contract, and member-government funding. Bi-State operates in a project-funded environment where staff time, grant eligibility, transportation funding, reimbursement documentation, and audit readiness are directly connected to organizational sustainability. The next Executive Director must be comfortable leading a technical, grant-funded public organization where transportation planning and programming are central to both mission and budget.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Urban or Regional Planning, Transportation Planning, Public Policy, Business Administration, Economic Development, or a related field
• Eight or more years of progressively responsible management and supervisory experience in local government, regional government, transportation planning, economic development, public administration, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated experience with budgeting, strategic planning, staff leadership, grants, intergovernmental relationships, and board or commission support
• Working knowledge of transportation planning, regional planning, grant-funded programs, or intergovernmental service delivery
• Valid driver’s license

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a related field
• Executive or senior management experience with a Council of Governments, Metropolitan Planning Organization, regional planning agency, local government, transportation agency, economic development district, or comparable intergovernmental organization
• Experience with federal and state transportation funding, grant administration, project accounting, reimbursement documentation, and compliance requirements
• Familiarity with Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, Economic Development Administration, state departments of transportation, or comparable funding partners
• Professional certifications such as AICP, ICMA-CM, CEcD, Professional Transportation Planner, or similar credentials

Responsibilities

• Lead approximately 18 employees.
• Manage an annual operating budget of approximately $2.5 million.
• Advance transportation, infrastructure, economic development, and regional cooperation.
• Build trust with elected officials, member governments, state/federal partners, and staff.
• Strengthen economic development, grant strategy, and member-service value.
• Provide transportation planning, community and economic development, grant administration, GIS and mapping services, environmental planning, and regional collaboration.
• Ensure organizational sustainability through effective management of project-funded operations, including staff time, grant eligibility, transportation funding, reimbursement documentation, and audit readiness.
• Support boards or commissions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive