Economic Development Director Jobs in Springfield, IL

• Under administrative direction, serves as the Deputy Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism, providing leadership and direction for the statewide operations, programs, policies, strategic initiatives, and objectives of the Office of Tourism.
  • Develops and directs statewide tourism marketing strategies in Illinois involving community events, historic venues, hotel/motel and conventions and travel destinations, and other tourism assets to advance Illinois’ tourism and economic development objectives.
  • Represents the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and speaks on behalf of the agency Director before private and public groups on a state and local level concerning the mission, goals and program objectives of the Office of Tourism.
  • Identifies and cultivates strategic partnerships with public- and private-sector organizations, airlines, transportation providers, attractions, major events, sports organizations, cultural institutions, and corporate partners.
  • Formulates, evaluates, and implements policy and legislative initiatives in partnership with the Office of Legislative Affairs and other agency stakeholders to advance the strategic objectives of the Office of Tourism and maintain Illinois’ competitiveness with other states.
  • Establishes strategic priorities and directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of statewide tourism initiatives consistent with the Governor's and DCEO's economic development priorities.
  • Directs clear and effective marketing of the Office’s programs.
  • Evaluates the effectiveness of Office programs and operations and establishes performance expectations, measures, and accountability mechanisms to ensure achievement of strategic objectives and effective stewardship of state resources.
• Serves as a full-line supervisor.
  • Assigns and reviews work.
  • Provides guidance and training to assigned staff.
  • Counsels staff regarding work performance.
  • Reassigns staff to meet day-to-day operating needs.
  • Establishes annual goals and objectives.
  • Approves time off.
  • Adjusts first level grievances.
  • Effectively recommends and imposes discipline up to and including discharge.
  • Prepares and signs performance evaluations.
  • Determines and recommends staffing needs.

• Directs the formulation, administration, and execution of the budget for the Illinois Office of Tourism with full authority to allocate and control expenditures.
  • Establishes annual spending priorities and directs the allocation of resources among programs and initiatives based on organizational priorities, projected needs, performance, and available funding.  
  • Directs, reviews and coordinates Office budget formulation and submission. 
  • Adheres to agency policy, mission, and budgetary regulations and procedures for budget proposals. 
  • Develops annual spending plan. 
  • Directs Office obligations, commitments, and expenditures.
• Administers, directs, reviews and coordinates operations in statewide advertising, public relations programs, tourism publications, and tour and travel program to ensure full utilization of state resources.
  • Establishes and monitors performance measures for tourism programs utilizing visitor data, economic-impact studies, market research, and other analytics to inform decisions and demonstrate return on investment.
  • Directs the cooperative advertising promotions and public relations tourism programs with air carriers, hoteliers, and private sectors.
• Administers, directs, reviews, and coordinates operations to facilitate statewide grants programs.
  • Directs and evaluates initiatives that strengthen the state’s tourism infrastructure, visitor experiences, workforce, accessibility, and readiness for emerging markets and travel trends.
  • Integrates major tourism programs with short and long range goals and objectives.
• Advises the Agency Chief of Staff and Director on the status, performance, challenges, and strategic opportunities of the Office of Tourism and makes recommendations regarding policies, programs, resource allocation, and organizational priorities.
  • Prepares and presents executive-level reports, analyses, recommendations, and briefings concerning Office operations, tourism trends, program performance, economic impact, and strategic initiatives.
  • Leads special initiatives and projects of statewide significance within the scope of the Office's mission and delegated authority.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, with courses in business, public administration, tourism/hospitality management, communications, or marketing.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.

• Prefers four (4) years of professional experience working in a leadership capacity for a statewide tourism organization, destination marketing organization, convention and visitors bureau, or tourism-related association.
• Prefers a minimum of four (4) years of professional experience managing public-sector contracts, contractors, and contractual deliverables.
• Prefers a minimum of four (4) years of professional supervisory experience.
• Prefers three (3) years of professional experience developing and implementing statewide or regional tourism strategies.
• Prefers two (2) years of professional experience representing an organization before government officials and external stakeholders.

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position.  As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• 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 description.

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.