REGIONAL FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTEMENT SPECIALIST - THE AMERICAS
About The Position
The Regional Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Specialist for the Americas serves in the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Trade and Investment. The specialist develops and directs programs to promote Illinois across the Americas and attract companies interested in establishing, maintaining, or expanding facilities or operations in Illinois. The position works closely with companies, public and private economic development entities, Illinois service providers, and other stakeholders to promote Illinois’ value proposition and support inbound investment projects. The specialist serves as the state-side primary point of contact for the Americas region, manages business expansion and relocation opportunities, and develops regional goals, performance measures, and management plans. The role also involves researching and analyzing foreign investment markets, economic trends, and international trade policies to inform long-term strategies for promoting Illinois companies’ products and services. The position is based in Chicago and has an anticipated hybrid schedule, with one to five days per week in the office depending on operational needs. Domestic and international travel, occasional overnight stays, and work outside normal office hours may be required.
Requirements
- Knowledge, skills, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college, preferably with coursework in business, marketing, or international studies.
- At least three years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.
- Experience working with international business in the public or private sector.
- Complete a background check and self-disclose criminal history.
- File annual and supplemental Statements of Economic Interest as required by Illinois law.
- Hold an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally, including overnight stays as appropriate.
- Ability to work outside normal office hours to communicate with clients, partners, and colleagues in different time zones.
Nice To Haves
- At least three years of international trade experience involving duties such as market research or business lead generation.
- At least three years of sales, marketing, business development, or business counseling experience focused on international markets.
- At least two years of end-to-end accountability for owning, managing, and delivering multiple projects simultaneously.
- At least two years of public-facing experience presenting or promoting in domestic and international settings.
- At least two years of experience collecting and analyzing data, developing recommendations, and presenting to executive leadership.
- At least two years of experience developing or managing a budget.
- Intermediate experience with client management systems, including maintaining client records, tracking interactions, and generating and analyzing client reports.
- Intermediate experience with project management systems, including creating and managing project plans, monitoring progress through reports and dashboards, and maintaining accurate documentation and data.
- Intermediate experience using spreadsheet software, document creation tools, email, and cloud-based platforms to create reports, manage communications, maintain records, and collaborate through shared online platforms.
Responsibilities
- Develop and direct the Office of Trade and Investment’s foreign direct investment program for the Americas, implementing activities to attract companies to establish, maintain, or expand facilities or operations in Illinois.
- Collaborate with public and private economic development entities and Illinois service providers to develop and implement a statewide foreign direct investment strategy; serve as the primary state-side point of contact for the Americas region.
- Manage business expansion and relocation opportunities from the Americas region.
- Develop and implement program goals, objectives, performance measures, and management plans for the Americas region’s Office of Trade and Investment functions.
- Conduct and oversee research and analysis of foreign direct investment markets, economic trends, and international trade policies for the Americas, and advise on long-term strategies and goals for marketing and promoting Illinois companies’ products and services.
- Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the position.
Benefits
- Pension program
- Group health, life, dental, and vision insurance
- Three paid personal business days annually
- Twelve paid sick days annually, with unused days carried over from year to year
- Ten to 25 paid vacation days annually, with 10 days in the first year of employment
- Thirteen paid holidays annually, and 14 in even-numbered years
- Flexible work schedules when available and dependent on the position
- Twelve weeks of paid parental leave
- Deferred compensation supplemental retirement plan
- Optional pre-tax Medical Care Assistance Plan and Dependent Care Assistance Plan
- Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
- GI Bill training and apprenticeship benefits eligibility for qualifying veterans
- Commuter Savings Program for Chicago employees
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
