Regional Foreign Direct Investment Specialist - Asia And Asia/Pacific

State of Illinois•Chicago, IL

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Regional Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Specialist for Asia and Asia Pacific serves in the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Trade and Investment. The position develops programs to promote Illinois in the region and supports inbound investment through engagement with companies and stakeholders. It coordinates and executes regional FDI activities, promotes Illinois’ value proposition to potential investors, associations, and government audiences, and supports inbound investment projects. The specialist develops and directs activities to attract companies from Asia and Asia Pacific to establish, maintain, or expand facilities or operations in Illinois. The role collaborates with public and private economic development entities and Illinois service providers on a statewide FDI strategy, serving as the primary state-side contact for the region. It manages business expansion and relocation opportunities, sets program goals and performance measures, and conducts research and analysis on FDI markets, economic trends, and international trade policies to inform long-term strategies. The position is based at the Department’s Chicago headquarters, with hybrid work availability of one to five days per week in the office depending on operational needs. The job requires domestic and international travel, including overnight stays as appropriate, and work outside normal office hours to communicate across time zones. A valid driver’s license and background check are required. The position also requires annual and supplemental Statements of Economic Interest.

Requirements

Knowledge, skills, and mental development equivalent to completing four years of college; coursework in business, marketing, or international studies is preferred.
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 disclose criminal history.
Maintain an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
Be able to travel domestically and internationally, including overnight stays as appropriate.
Be able to work outside normal office hours to communicate with clients, partners, and colleagues in different time zones.
File annual and supplemental Statements of Economic Interest as required.

Nice To Haves

Three or more years of international trade experience, such as market research or business lead generation.
Three or more years of sales, marketing, business development, or business counseling experience focused on international markets.
Two or more years of end-to-end accountability for owning, managing, and delivering multiple projects simultaneously.
Two or more years in a public-facing role involving presentations or promotion in domestic and international settings.
Two or more years collecting and analyzing data, developing recommendations, and presenting to executive leadership.
Two or more years developing or managing a budget.
Intermediate experience with client management systems, including maintaining client records, tracking interactions, and generating and analyzing reports.
Intermediate experience with project management systems, including creating and managing 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.

Responsibilities

Develop the Office of Trade and Investment’s FDI program for Asia and Asia Pacific, implementing and directing 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 FDI strategy.
Serve as the primary state-side point of contact for the Asia and Asia Pacific region.
Manage business expansion and relocation opportunities from the Asia and Asia Pacific region.
Develop and implement program goals, objectives, performance measures, and management plans for the region’s Office of Trade and Investment functions.
Conduct and oversee research and analysis, and monitor FDI markets, economic trends, and international trade policies in Asia and Asia Pacific.
Develop and advise on long-term strategies and goals for marketing and promoting Illinois companies’ products and services.
Perform other duties reasonably within the scope of the position.

Benefits

Pension program
Competitive group insurance benefits, including health, life, dental, and vision insurance
Three paid personal business days annually
Twelve paid sick days annually, with carryover from year to year
Ten to twenty-five paid vacation days annually, including ten days in the first year of employment
Thirteen paid holidays annually, and fourteen in even-numbered years
Flexible work schedules when available and dependent upon the position
Twelve weeks of paid parental leave
Deferred compensation supplemental retirement plan
Optional pre-tax medical care and dependent care assistance plans
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
GI Bill training and apprenticeship benefits eligibility for qualifying veterans
Five percent salary differential for bilingual positions
Chicago commuter savings program