Associate Director Economic Development Jobs (NOW HIRING)

None (individual contributor role; supervises a semester intern)

Status

Full-Time, Exempt

Location

Vermilion Advantage is looking for the right person to grow with this role — not a rigid checklist of years and titles. That’s why this position may be filled at one of two levels — Director of Economic Development Initiatives or Economic Development Coordinator — depending on the experience and strengths you bring. Both levels work on the same core priorities: business attraction, retention, asset mapping, and supporting businesses of every size across Vermilion County. What differs is the scope of independent authority, the depth of experience expected, and the corresponding pay level.

If you’re excited about this work, we encourage you to apply regardless of which level feels like the closer fit. We’ll get to know you through the interview process and find the right level together.

Vermilion Advantage is a nonprofit, public‑private organization (501(c)(6)) that combines the functions of a chamber of commerce and an economic development corporation to strengthen the business environment and economy of Danville and Vermilion County, Illinois. Formed in 2002 through the merger of the county’s Economic Development Corporation and the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce, Vermilion Advantage leads business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts; workforce development initiatives; and member/community engagement across a diverse local economy of manufacturers, logistics and distribution operators, data centers, and local entrepreneurs. The organization is supported primarily by its 500+ business members, with the remainder of funding coming from public‑sector partners.

Following a 2025–2026 strategic planning process, Vermilion Advantage is guided by the vision “To build community & create opportunity” and the mission “We lead, develop, and connect people, businesses, and resources to cultivate economic success in Vermilion County.” The organization’s work is grounded in five core values: Integrity, Passion, Innovation, Collaboration, and Impact. This position is a near‑term strategic priority for the organization, with the person hired playing a lead part in advancing key economic development initiatives — most notably building out a complete site‑and‑building database and establishing strong KPIs and data tracking to support attraction, retention, and small business efforts going forward.

The Director of Economic Development Initiatives leads Vermilion Advantage’s business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts under the strategic direction of the President and CEO, serving as a senior partner in shaping and executing the organization’s economic development agenda. This role owns the full lifecycle of economic development projects — from lead generation and site selection support through incentive negotiation and deal closing — while building and maintaining the relationships that keep the region visible and competitive to site selectors, brokers, and corporate decision‑makers. The Director also owns Vermilion Advantage’s community asset mapping structure, keeping it current and useful as a resource for attraction, retention, and planning work.

The Director is trusted to run point on day‑to‑day execution, relationships, and deal work, while major approaches, positioning, and strategic decisions are developed in concurrence with the President and CEO. All work is carried out under the direction of the President and CEO and in alignment with the organization’s strategic plan, as developed by the Board of Directors and staff.

Asset Mapping & Data Management

• Own and maintain Vermilion Advantage’s community asset mapping structure — the county’s inventory of available sites, buildings, workforce data, infrastructure, and other assets relevant to business attraction, retention, and small business support
• Lead the near‑term gap analysis on sites and buildings and drive the work toward a complete, well‑organized site‑and‑building database
• Assess current data sources, formats, and gaps, and define the technology and data structure needed to build out a complete, reliable asset mapping system (fields, categories, data sources, update cycle)
• Set up and configure GrowthZone (and any complementary GIS/site data tools) to support asset mapping, then populate, clean, and validate the underlying data
• Define, track, and report on KPIs, establishing baselines and building the reporting cadence with the President and CEO

Small to Large Business Support

• Ensure businesses of every size — from small businesses and entrepreneurs to large employers — remain a core focus of Vermilion Advantage’s economic development work
• Connect business owners and entrepreneurs to relevant resources, technical assistance, financing options, and local partners
• Partner with the Chamber/membership side of the organization to identify needs across the full range of member businesses and feed them into the broader economic development strategy

Business Attraction & Site Selection

• Lead Vermilion Advantage’s business attraction strategy, identifying and cultivating target industries and prospective companies aligned with the county’s competitive assets
• Manage inbound and outbound leads from site selection consultants, brokers, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and direct company contacts through the full project pipeline
• Coordinate site tours, prepare site selection packages, and serve as the primary point of contact for prospective companies evaluating Vermilion County
• Research and stay current on available local and state incentive programs (e.g., tax abatements, TIF districts, enterprise zones, DCEO programs) to strengthen the region’s competitive position for prospects
• Negotiate incentive packages and project terms in coordination with the City of Danville, Vermilion County, and state partners, bringing recommended terms to the President and CEO for concurrence before finalizing

Business Retention & Expansion

• Lead Vermilion Advantage’s business retention and expansion (BRE) program, conducting regular visits and check‑ins with existing member businesses
• Identify and help resolve barriers to local business growth in partnership with the City of Danville, Vermilion County, and other municipal stakeholders
• Support the build‑out of workforce pathways connecting schools, DACC, and employers

Partnerships & Representation

• Build and maintain relationships with commercial real estate brokers, site selection consultants, utility providers, DCEO, and other state economic development agencies
• Represent Vermilion Advantage at industry conferences, trade shows, familiarization tours, and sales missions, as assigned
• Provide the President and CEO with the information needed for press‑related opportunities

Strategy, Reporting & Intern Mentorship

• Partner with the President and CEO to shape the organization’s economic development strategy, target sectors, and annual goals, with major strategic shifts made in concurrence with the President and CEO
• Maintain accurate pipeline data and prepare regular reporting on project activity, wins, and pipeline health for the CEO and Board of Directors
• Mentor and direct an intern each semester
• Manage department budget for travel, trade shows, marketing materials, and related business development activity

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in economic development, business, public administration, urban planning, or related field (or equivalent professional experience)
• 7+ years of progressive experience in economic development, site selection, commercial real estate, or business development, including direct deal/project management experience
• Demonstrated track record of managing complex, multi‑stakeholder projects to successful completion
• Strong understanding of incentive structures, site selection criteria, and the commercial real estate/development process
• Comfort building and structuring data systems from the ground up
• Excellent relationship‑building, negotiation, and public speaking skills
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly for site visits, trade shows, and sales missions

Preferred

• Master’s degree in a related field
• Existing network among site selectors, brokers, and state/regional economic development agencies
• Experience working with or within a nonprofit EDC, chamber, or public‑private partnership structure
• Familiarity with CRM/database platforms, asset mapping systems, and GIS/site data tools

$70,000–$80,000, commensurate with experience.

The Economic Development Coordinator supports Vermilion Advantage’s business attraction, retention, and small business efforts under the close direction of the President and CEO. This role is well suited to someone earlier in their economic development career who is ready to take on real ownership of specific projects and systems — particularly asset mapping data and business support coordination — while building toward broader strategic and deal‑making responsibility over time.

The Coordinator executes clearly defined work assigned by the President and CEO, with less independent authority than the Director level, particularly around incentive negotiation, external representation, and strategic decision‑making.

Asset Mapping & Data Support

• Maintain and update the existing asset mapping structure and data in GrowthZone, under the direction of the President and CEO
• Enter, organize, and validate site, building, and business data on an ongoing basis
• Run basic reports from GrowthZone and other systems to support attraction, retention, and planning work
• Support KPI data collection and reporting, as directed

Small to Large Business Support

• Connect small business owners and entrepreneurs to available resources, technical assistance, and local partners
• Help maintain up‑to‑date resource lists and referral materials for businesses of all sizes
• Support outreach and follow‑up with member businesses

Business Attraction & Site Selection Support

• Assist with responses to routine RFIs (requests for information) under the President and CEO’s guidance
• Coordinate logistics for site tours and prepare supporting materials for prospective companies
• Maintain pipeline tracking in GrowthZone/CRM systems
• Help research and compile information on available local and state incentive programs to support attraction efforts

Business Retention & Expansion Support

• Schedule and assist with business retention visits, and compile notes and follow‑up items
• Help connect existing businesses to workforce, real estate, and other resources
• Support workforce pathways coordination with schools, DACC, and employers

Partnerships & Representation

• Attend industry events, trade shows, and community events as assigned, representing Vermilion Advantage under the President and CEO’s direction
• Support logistics and materials for external representation activities

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in economic development, business, public administration, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered
• 2+ years of relevant experience in economic development, business support, project coordination, or a related field
• Strong organizational skills and comfort working in data systems/CRM platforms
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Willingness to travel occasionally for site visits, trade shows, and events

Preferred

• Familiarity with CRM/database platforms
• Interest in growing into a Director‑level economic development role over time
• Experience or genuine interest in small business support

$55,000–$60,000, commensurate with experience.

This range is grounded in national salary data for comparable coordinator‑level economic development titles (which cluster between roughly $50,000 and $61,000 at the entry‑to‑early‑career level), adjusted for Vermilion County’s cost of labor relative to the larger metro markets that pull national averages higher.

Direct Reports: None (supervises a semester intern, applicable to whichever level is hired)

Core Values: Alignment with Vermilion Advantage’s values — Integrity, Passion, Innovation, Collaboration, and Impact

Benefits: Vermilion Advantage offers a competitive benefits package including health/dental/vision insurance, retirement plan contribution, paid time off, and professional development support

Vermilion Advantage is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

Additional Info

Job Type : Full-Time

Experience Level : Mid to Senior Level, Director

Job Function : Development, Customer Service, Marketing