Economic Development Director Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Job Description:

The Location Strategies (Credits & Incentives) Manager within the SALT Consulting practice plays a key role in advising clients on complex location and investment decisions by aligning business strategy with state and local economic incentive opportunities. This position serves as a strategic partner to clients, leading engagements that require a blend of financial analysis, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration to drive cost savings and long-term value. As a Manager, this individual is responsible for managing client relationships, leading project delivery, and guiding junior team members, while contributing to practice growth and innovation. The role requires strong business acumen, the ability to navigate public- and private-sector stakeholders, and a forward-looking approach to helping clients optimize expansion, relocation, and investment strategies.

Responsibilities:

• Lead client-facing site selection and economic development incentive engagements.

• Evaluate location factors such as labor availability, infrastructure, logistics, tax structure, and real estate.

• Negotiate state and local incentives, including discretionary grants, tax abatements, job creation credits, and infrastructure support.

• Develop and present financial models, cost-benefit analyses, and executive reports.

• Coordinate with economic development organizations and government stakeholders to secure project support.

• Mentor junior team members and contribute to knowledge development within the practice.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (tax, legal, real estate) to deliver integrated client solutions.

• Coordinate with economists and external specialists to develop economic impact analyses supporting incentive negotiations and public-sector decision making.

• Support projects involving international companies evaluating U.S. investments, including coordinating with economic development agencies and communicating with multinational stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required; JD, MBA, or related graduate degree preferred.

• CPA, CEcD, CMI or JD required

• 5-10 years of experience in site selection, economic development, or location incentives consulting.

• Demonstrated success managing client relationships and complex negotiations with public-sector agencies.

• Strong understanding of U.S. state and local tax incentive programs and compliance requirements.

• Advanced analytical skills including modeling project ROI and incentive value realization.

• Experience supporting foreign direct investment projects or working with international companies is highly valued.

• Ability to collaborate with economists and other technical specialists on economic impact analyses and related economic development modeling.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience with executive-level presentations.

• Multilingual capability (particularly German, Japanese or Mandarin Chinese) highly desirable.

#LI-Remote #LI-Hybrid

We expect the candidate to uphold Crowe's values of Care, Trust, Courage, and Stewardship. These values define who we are. We expect all of our people to act ethically and with integrity at all times.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Crowe is not sponsoring for work authorization at this time.

The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Crowe, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $102,500.00 - $209,400.00 per year. This role follows a hybrid work model for candidates located near a Crowe office. Candidates who are not within commuting distance of a Crowe office may be considered for a remote work arrangement, subject to business needs.

Our Benefits:
Your exceptional people experience starts here. At Crowe, we know that great peopleare what makes a great firm. We care about our people and offer employees a comprehensive total rewards package. Learn more about what working at Crowe can mean for you!
How You Can Grow:
We will nurture your talent in an inclusive culture that values diversity. You will have the chance to meet on a consistent basis with your Career Coach that will guide you in your career goals and aspirations. Learn more about where talent can prosper!
More about Crowe:
Crowe (www.crowe.com) is one of the largest public accounting, consulting and technology firms in the United States. Crowe uses its deep industry expertise to provide audit services to public and private entities while also helping clients reach their goals with tax, advisory, risk and performance services. Crowe is recognized by many organizations as one of the country's best places to work. Crowe serves clients worldwide as an independent member of Crowe Global, one of the largest global accounting networks in the world. The network consists of more than 200 independent accounting and advisory services firms in more than 130 countries around the world.
Crowe LLP and Crowe Advisory LLC (and their respective subsidiary entities) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, national origin, disability or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Crowe LLP and Crowe Advisory LLC (and their respective subsidiary entities) does not accept unsolicited candidates, referrals or resumes from any staffing agency, recruiting service, sourcing entity or any other third-party paid service at any time. Any referrals, resumes or candidates submitted to Crowe, or any employee or owner of Crowe without a pre-existing agreement signed by both parties covering the submission will be considered the property of Crowe, and free of charge.

Crowe will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

Please visit our webpage to see notices of the various state and local Ban-the-Box laws and Fair Chance Ordinances, where applicable.

We are committed to a merit-based hiring process, evaluating all candidates consistently using objective, job-related criteria such as relevant experience, demonstrated skills, measurable impact, and alignment with the role's responsibilities, and making employment decisions in a fair and inclusive manner free from discrimination.

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