Northeast Regional Manager

Job Requisition ID: 49681 
Closing Date: 09/29/2025
​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 $8,281 - $8,648 monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category:  Full Time 
County: Kankakee
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:  None
Merit Comp Code:  Gubernatorial (Management Bill) Exclusion from RC063 Collective Bargaining Coverage

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

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

The Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is looking to hire a Northeast Regional Manager. This position will join a field team of eighteen managers in the Regional Economic Development (RED) bureau to serve as the face of the DCEO in communities statewide. Team RED works with businesses, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, consultants, legislators, and other stakeholders to develop and execute strategies for regional economic development, coordinate workforce development efforts, business development/attraction/expansion, local investments, and partnerships. Most importantly, Team RED represents the State to communities, bringing programs, dollars, and new ideas to help their economies grow and attract businesses and jobs with an equity lens. If you are interested in joining our team of compassionate and community-oriented managers, we invite you to apply for the Regional Economic Development Manager position with DCEO.

Essential Functions

• Serves as regional manager and represents the Agency for the Northeast Region/Southern Sub-Region.
• Acts as senior field representative, executes critical assignments in providing technical assistance to linchpin industries, specifically focused on the areas of High-Technology development, Tourism, Business and Workforce Development, Energy policy and the adaptive reuse of real estate.
• Creates Regional Economic Development Plans in consultation with the Senior Region Manager that coordinate and synchronize regional development, transportation, workforce and other related government entities.
• Conducts site searches for business firms considering location in the Northeast Region/Southern Sub-Region.
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with business representatives and government officials.
• As spokesperson and senior representative, travels to 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, preferably with courses in business or public administration, economic development or marketing.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in business development, marketing, stakeholder engagement, sales, or economic and workforce development (i.e. Community Relations, Business Attraction, Expansion, Retention, External Affairs, Government Affairs, Project Management, Strategic Planning, Small Business Support).

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers one (1) or more years of administrative experience in federal, state, or local government.
• Prefers extensive experience in analyzing and reporting on outreach and stakeholder engagement data.
• Prefers one (1) or more years experience with a Customer Relations Management System (CRM), such as Salesforce, Pipedrive, HubSpot, or Zoho.
• Prefers Economic Development of Finance Professional Certification, Certified Economic Development Certification, or Economic Development of Finance Professional Certification.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• 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 Statement of Economic Interest with the Office of 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

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.

Work Hours: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Work Location: Kankakee Community College Main Riverfront Campus, 100 College Drive, Kankakee, IL 60901
Agency Contact: [email protected] FOR INQUIRIES ONLY - INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST APPLY ONLINE )
Posting Group: Leadership & Management

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:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]