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Economic Development Director Jobs in Chicago, IL

Oak Park

Economic Vitality Administrator

Oak Park, IL · On-site

$17.75 - $24.50/hr

... direct, manage and oversee assigned operations of the Economic Vitality Office, including the administration of various economic development policies, programs, services, and initiatives. The ...

Hasana, Inc.

Data Entry Intern/Volunteer

Chicago, IL

$15.50 - $20.50/hr

... an economic development strategy to lift women out of poverty and as a community development ... Research and Development Director Job Scope: The Aparecio Foundation is a growing organization with ...

Invenergy

Director, Renewable Development

Chicago, IL · On-site

Position Overview As a Director, Renewable Development, you will lead the development of utility ... Supports economic modeling for all phases of projects * Oversees project design work with ...

Hasana, Inc.

Database Coordinator

Chicago, IL

... an economic development strategy to lift women out of poverty and as a community development ... The Database Coordinator will work with the Research and Development Director on this project.

Hasana, Inc.

Database Coordinator

Chicago, IL

... an economic development strategy to lift women out of poverty and as a community development ... The Database Coordinator will work with the Research and Development Director on this project.

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All JobsEconomic Development JobsEconomic Development Director JobsEconomic Development Director Jobs in Chicago, IL

Economic Development Director information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$50K

$127.7K

$208.1K

How much do economic development director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for economic development director in Chicago, IL is $127,670.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,200.00 and $158,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Economic Development Director vs Economic Development Specialist?

AspectEconomic Development DirectorEconomic Development Specialist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Economics, Business, or Public Administration; experience in economic planningSimilar credentials, often with less managerial experience
Work EnvironmentLeadership role in government agencies or economic development organizationsSupport role, assisting with projects and research
Employer & IndustryMunicipalities, regional agencies, economic development firmsLocal government departments, economic development offices
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in economic developmentLearning about supporting roles in economic growth projects

The main difference between an Economic Development Director and an Economic Development Specialist lies in their level of responsibility and leadership. The Director oversees strategic planning and manages teams, while the Specialist focuses on supporting projects and research. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and work within government or economic organizations, but the Director holds a higher managerial position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an economic development director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Economic Development Director, you need expertise in economic analysis, project management, and public policy, typically supported by a degree in economics, public administration, or a related field. Familiarity with economic modeling software, GIS tools, and grant management systems is often required, along with certifications such as Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). Strong leadership, strategic communication, and relationship-building abilities help foster collaboration among public, private, and community stakeholders. These skills are crucial for identifying growth opportunities, securing funding, and driving sustainable economic progress in a community or region.

What are the main challenges economic development directors face when balancing community needs and business interests?

Economic Development Directors often need to align the interests of local businesses, government stakeholders, and community members, which can be challenging due to differing priorities. For example, attracting new businesses might conflict with preserving community character or addressing affordable housing. Success in this role frequently involves transparent communication, creative problem-solving, and building consensus through public engagement and strategic partnerships. Navigating these complexities requires adaptability and a strong understanding of both economic trends and local needs.

What does an economic development director do?

An Economic Development Director is responsible for creating and implementing strategies to promote economic growth within a community or region. They work to attract new businesses, support existing ones, and encourage job creation by collaborating with local government officials, business leaders, and community organizations. Their duties often include managing economic incentive programs, overseeing redevelopment projects, and conducting market research to identify opportunities for development. Ultimately, their goal is to improve the local economy and enhance the quality of life for residents.

What is an economic development director?

An economic development director is a city government employee who helps spur the city economy. Your two biggest responsibilities are to persuade new businesses to move into your town and to encourage existing businesses to expand. You attend fundraising events for civic and business groups and interact with donors to make connections with potentially valuable economic partners. Your duties include developing strategic programs for economic and financial growth, analyzing market trends, writing city tax policy proposals, and advising the city manager and the city council.

More about Economic Development Director jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Economic Development jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Economic Development jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Economic Development Director jobs in Chicago, IL? For Economic Development Director jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Economic Development Director jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Economic Development Director jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Economic Development Director jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Economic Development Director job openings:
Economic Development Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Economic Development Director job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, 4% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,670 per year, or $61.4 per hour.

Director of Community Development and Economic Development

Village of Morton Grove

Morton Grove, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Description:DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

VILLAGE OF MORTON GROVE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The Village of Morton Grove is seeking a qualified and motivated individual to serve in the newly created role of Director of Community Development and Economic Development. This position serves under the direction of the Village Administrator and is appointed by the Village President with the concurrence of the Board of Trustees. The position is responsible for advancing the economic development projects of the community while overseeing the planning, zoning, building permits, and inspections for the Village. To learn more, please review the complete employment brochure here, Community Development Director Job Ad.

The Village of Morton Grove (5.1 square miles) is a diverse suburban community (pop. 25,297) that offers hometown charm and has been featured as one of the best places to live in Illinois. The Village is close to downtown Chicago, O’Hare Airport, Interstates 94 and 294 and is serviced by Metra trains and Pace buses. The Village has outstanding restaurants and shops and a balance of residential, retail, and commercial properties that provide diverse offerings to its residents. Almost 20% of the Village encompasses the Cook County Forest Preserve allowing residents to take advantage of many biking and hiking trails, golf courses, and parks. Morton Grove is described as an “Incredibly Close. Amazingly Open” community of neighbors that enjoys living in Morton Grove and care about each other.

The Village of Morton Grove is seeking an individual to serve in the newly created role of Director of Community Development and Economic Development to oversee the current functions of the Community Development and Building and Inspection Divisions. The Community Development Department includes five full-time staff members and contractual staff for health and building inspections. The Department serves as the liaison for several Commissions including the Economic Development Commission, Plan Commission / Zoning Board of Appeals, and Appearance Commission.

Requirements:

To address operational needs, the Village is creating the position of Director of Community Development and Economic Development to oversee current divisions of Community Development and Building and Inspection Services. The position directs, supervises, and coordinates the administration of Planning, Permitting, and Inspection Services. The position also serves as a Department Director is expected to coordinate with their fellow Department Directors to coordinate resources and projects efficiently and effectively. The position is responsible for drafting and administering the Budgets for the Department and the Village’s TIF Districts.

The responsibilities of the position include:

  • Provides technical support and/or guidance for development plans and projects, initiates and directs the conduct of special studies and projects in such areas as annexation, zoning, geographic and demographic base file development and analysis, market research, open space, expansion strategy, building, and inspections, etc.
  • Confers with public agencies, private organizations and individuals regarding projects and Village planning requirements; speaks before and develops planning interests of civic and citizen associations and interest groups.
    Acts as liaison to the Planning Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals, Appearance Commission, and the Economic Development Commission (EDC) and prepare associated materials in support of these public bodies.
    Oversees all building construction activities to ensure that building permits and occupancy permits are issued in accordance with the Village Code.
  • Create and develop brochures, flyers, web pages and/or related marketing and promotional materials which will help in promoting real estate and/or development within the Village in support of economic development.
  • Monitor and identify trends in the marketplace, to target general groups or types of businesses, or industries, which may be considering relocating in this area. Solicit individual businesses or industries to determine their interest in suitable sites within the community. Assist interested companies from initial contact for site selection purposes through project completion.
  • Develop and maintain a suitable inventory of available commercial and industrial sites and space within existing structures which will be shared on a regular basis with the commercial real estate and developer community; establish ties with existing commercial/office/industrial property owners and leasing agents to provide them with assistance and marketing support.
  • Administer existing and new Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts when created to insure compliance with all statutory requirements and to maximize the potential success of the district’s mission.
  • Advises the Village Administrator and Board of Trustees on enforcement of building, life safety, environmental, and health codes.
  • Oversees all staff within Community Development and the Building and Inspections Departments to ensure routine and special assignments of the Village are completed.
  • Review and make recommendations regarding the use of other available statutory economic development tools such as the establishment of special taxing districts and business development districts under circumstances appropriate for the use of those redevelopment tools.
  • Coordinates all project reviews and short- and long-range planning with Village departments and other local, State and Federal agencies. Supervises various work project groups and collects the planning input of the various Village departments