Positions with World Business Chicago - Chicago

Deputy Director of Implementation: Plan for Economic Growth & Jobs

October 21, 2013

Under Mayor Emanuel’s leadership, since 2011 WBC has overseen the development and implementation of the Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs (PEG&J), a broad-based, inclusive plan for economicdevelopmentthatservesasablueprintforhowtodrivegrowthintheChicagoregion. The Plan outlines ten distinct strategies for increasing GRP, jobs, productivity, income and wages, and is intended to be a living, breathing process that evolves over time.
WBC is seeking a Deputy Director of Implementation for its Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs. The Deputy Director is a full-time position that reports to WBC’s Director of Implementation of the PEG&J. The Plan itself builds on existing growth initiatives to provide a framework for private and public initiatives in the years ahead. It takes a hard look at Chicago’s and the region’s strengths and challenges, sets measurable goals and recommends strategies to achieve them. The PEG&J contains ten strategies that will help Chicago advance its economy and become a better destination for families and businesses. The Plan can be found at http://www.worldbusinesschicago.com/plan or can be mailed upon request.
The primary responsibilities of the Deputy Director consist of the following:

• Support the Director in the management of Plan implementation, including:
  - Lead regular meetings with the Implementation Team and Fellows
  - Participate in necessary key Strategy Team meetings
  - Support annual update of the Plan with the Steering Committee and the Implementation Team
  - Support reporting on progress to PEGJ Steering Committee, Co-chairs, and WBC
  - Lead professional development efforts within the Implementation team
• With the staffing of Strategy Managers, support executive level strategy leaders in setting the near and long-term agendas and goals
• Maintain responsibility for the successful, timely rollout and measurement of initiatives that lead to economic growth and jobs
• Help to socialize the Plan and build/sustain momentum by assisting in briefings with regional organizations, recruiting Strategy Committees, Strategy Fellow teams, and initiative leaders
• Manage 1-2 Strategy Managers and 3-6 Fellows

The ideal candidate has a minimum of 8-10 years of experience in a leadership role related to economic growth or growth strategy and has distinctive project management skills (some Project Management Office (PMO) experience strongly preferred). The candidate should also have extensive experience working with senior (C-suite) leadership, possess excellent written and oral communication skills, and have relevant expertise and experience in economic growth (economics, public sector work, cluster strategies, infrastructure, etc.). Distinctive problem structuring and execution skills desired. Relevant graduate degree or equivalent work experience preferred.
World Business Chicago (WBC) is a non-for-profit economic development organization chaired by the Mayor of Chicago and overseen by a board of directors made up of Chicago’s most prominent business and civic leaders. WBC’s core functions are to lead Chicago’s private sector business attraction and retention efforts; market and promote Chicago as a global business destination; provide leadership and engagement opportunities to elevate Chicago’s visibility; and to perform research and industry specific analysis to further its mission of job growth and economic development for the region.
If interested
Please send a cover letter, resume and list of 3-5 professional references with references’ contact information to:
Carrie Simmons
World Business Chicago
177 N. State St., Ste. 500
Chicago, Illinois, 60601
OR: csimmons@WorldBusinessChicago.com
Due to the large volume of applications we receive, we cannot reply individually to each applicant. Once you have s your application, please do not contact us unless we ask you for further information. World Business Chicago is an equal opportunity employer.

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Strategy Manager: Plan for Economic Growth & Jobs

October 21, 2013

Under Mayor Emanuel’s leadership, since 2011 WBC has overseen the development and implementation of the Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs (PEG&J), a broad-based, inclusive plan for economic development that serves as a blueprint for how to drive growth in the Chicago region. The Plan outlines ten distinct strategies for increasing GRP, jobs, productivity, income and wages, and is intended to be a living, breathing process that evolves over time.
WBC is seeking a Strategy Manager for its Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs. The Strategy Manager is a full- time position that reports to WBC’s Director or Deputy Director of Implementation of the Plan. Mayor Emanuel called for the Plan in order to drive Chicago’s leadership in the global economy and articulate clear, actionable strategies for economic growth and job creation. The Plan builds on existing growth initiatives to provide a framework for private and public initiatives in the years ahead. Based on Chicago’s and the region’s strengths and challenges, it sets measurable goals and recommends strategies to achieve them. The Plan has ten strategies that will help Chicago advance its economy and become a better destination for people and business. The Plan is online at http://www.worldbusinesschicago.com/plan or can be mailed upon request.
The primary responsibilities of the Manager consist of the following:

• Lead executive level strategy leaders in setting and executing the near and long-term agenda for the Strategy goals (e.g., background research, scoping, gathering pipeline of initiatives, developing pilot, executing pilot, and scaling up successful pilots - in consultation with the Director and Deputy Director)
• Support strategy leader management of on-time, quality initiative creation and rollout
• Manage 1-2 Economic Growth Fellows as well as strategy teams to develop and execute initiatives Support the Director and Deputy Director in reporting/communicating Plan progress to various community stakeholders
• Lead research and analyses related to implementation of strategies (including analyzing economic trend data, financial modeling, best practice gathering via local and global experts, project scoping, impact analysis, and the like) and updates to the Plan

The ideal candidate is detail‐oriented, with strong program management skills. Minimum of 3 years’ experience owning program management deliverables with at least some expertise/exposure related to strategy and some knowledge of economic development. The candidate should have the ability to deliver high-quality outputs on time with the ability to work well with a team. We seek candidates with strong interpersonal written/verbal communications skills and a passion for civic engagement that makes a difference for Chicago’s future. The position’s pay is commensurate with experience. Undergraduate degree required; graduate degree preferred.
Please include in resume undergraduate and graduate GPAs.
World Business Chicago (WBC) is a non-for-profit economic development organization chaired by the Mayor of Chicago and overseen by a board of directors made up of Chicago’s most prominent business and civic leaders. WBC’s core functions are to lead Chicago’s private sector business attraction and retention efforts; market and promote Chicago as a global business destination; provide leadership and engagement opportunities to elevate Chicago’s visibility; and to perform research and industry specific analysis to further its mission of job growth and economic development for the region.
If interested
Please send a cover letter, resume, and list of 3-5 professional references with references’ contact information to:
Carrie Simmons
World Business Chicago
177 N. State St., Ste. 500
Chicago, Illinois, 60601