State of Illinois

REGIONAL FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT SPECIALIST - EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA

State of Illinois$102K — $108K *
Business Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or international studies.
  • At least three years of administrative experience in public or business organizations.
  • Experience engaging with international business in public or private sectors.
  • Preferred: Three years in international trade with market research or business lead generation experience.
  • Preferred: Three years in sales, marketing, business development focused on international markets.
  • Preferred: Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously with full accountability.
  • Preferred: Proficiency in project management and client management systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot).

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement foreign direct investment (FDI) programs for specific regions.
  • Collaborate with key economic development entities to strategize FDI efforts.
  • Manage projects related to business expansion and relocation for targeted regions.
  • Conduct market research to inform long-term strategies for attracting foreign investment.
  • Promote Illinois as a beneficial location for international businesses and stakeholders.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.
  • Professional development opportunities and training.
  • Flexible work hours to accommodate international communications.
  • Potential for overseas travel and cultural engagement.
Full Job Description
Job Requisition ID: 57994
Opening Date: 08/06/2026
Closing Date: 08/20/2026
Agency:Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015
Skill Option: General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $8,571 - $9,000 monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Gubernatorial (Management Bill) Exclusion from RC063 Collective Bargaining Coverage

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

PLEASE UPLOAD A COPY OF YOUR UNOFFICIAL COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS FOR VERIFICATION OF COURSEWORK

Position Overview

This position serves as the Europe, Middle East and Africa Regional Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Specialist (PSA Option 1) for the Illinois Department of Commerce's Office of Trade and Investment (OTI). The Regional FDI Specialist for Europe, Middle East and Africa will develop programs to promote Illinois within the region, and support inbound investment through close company and stakeholder engagement. Key responsibilities include coordinating and executing FDI activities in the region, promoting Illinois' value proposition to potential investors, associations, and government audiences, and supporting inbound investment projects. We invite motivated individuals to apply.

Essential Functions

  • Develops the Office of Trade & Investment's (OTI) foreign direct investment (FDI) program for Europe, Middle East and Africa regions, including implementing and directing activities to attract out-of-country clients to establish, maintain or expand their facilities and or operations in Illinois.
  • Collaborates with various public and private economic development entities and Illinois service providers in the development and implementation of a statewide foreign direct investment strategy and serves as primary point person state-side for the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions.
  • Serves as project manager for business expansion and relocation opportunities from the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions.
  • Develops and implements program goals, objectives, performance measures and management plans for the Europe, Middle East and Africa regions function of the Office of Trade and Investment.
  • Conducts and oversees complex research and analysis and keeps abreast of foreign direct investment markets, economic trends and international trade policies for Europe, Middle East and Africa, in order to develop and advise long term strategies and goals for marketing and promoting Illinois company's products and services.
  • Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.


Minimum Qualifications

  • Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, with courses in business, marketing or international studies.
  • Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization, and experience working with international business either in the public or private sector.


Preferred Qualifications

  • Prefers three (3) years or more experience working on international trade performing duties such as market research or business lead generation.
  • Prefers three (3) years or more experience in sales, marketing, business development or business counseling with a focus on international markets.
  • Prefers three (3) years or more experience with end-to-end accountability (owning, managing, and delivering) for multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Prefers two (2) years or more experience in public facing role that includes presenting or promoting both in domestic and international settings.
  • Prefers two (2) years or more experience collecting and analyzing data, developing recommendations, and presenting to executive leadership.
  • Prefers two (2) years or more experience developing or managing a budget.
  • Prefer intermediate experience using client management and project management systems,including independently building workflows, tracking pipelines, and resolving routine data sync or communication bottlenecks across platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, Monday.com, Asana, or ClickUp.
  • Prefers intermediate level experience in the utilization of spreadsheet software, document creation. email and cloud-based platforms, including data analysis, dynamic formatting, workflow tracking, and file collaboration.


Conditions of Employment

  • Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
  • 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 Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the 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.
  • Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.
  • Requires ability to travel both domestically and internationally in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
  • Requires the ability to work outside of normal office hours to communicate with clients/partners/colleagues in different time zones.


The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

Work Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm
Headquarter Location: 555 W Monroe St, Chicago, Illinois, 60661
Work County: Cook
Agency Contact:

Posting Group: Leadership & Management

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your "junk mail", "spam", or "other" folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

About State of Illinois

The name "Illinois" comes from a Native American word meaning "tribe of superior men." Louis Joliet and Father Marquette were the first Europeans to arrive in Illinois in 1673. Illinois became a state on December 3, 1818 and was the 21st state to enter the Union. The state motto is "State Sovereignty, National Union." Illinois is the fifth most populous state in the country with almost 12.9 million people. Abraham Lincoln and three other U.S. Presidents have called Illinois home, including Ulysses S. Grant, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. The General Assembly adopted the state slogan, "Land of Lincoln" in 1955. Springfield is the state capital and home to more Abraham Lincoln sites than any other place in the United States, including the Lincoln Home National Historic Site, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Old State Capitol, Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site, and Lincoln-Herndon Law Office.

State of Illinois Careers

Join the dedicated team at the State of Illinois and discover a wealth of job opportunities where professional growth and innovation are at the forefront of its mission. The State of Illinois is renowned for its commitment to excellence and diversity, offering careers that cater to a variety of skills and interests.

Work You’ll Do

At the State of Illinois, every position contributes to the betterment of its community and the nation. Whether it's through leadership roles or entry-level positions, the impact of your work will be felt across various sectors. The State provides a platform where skills are honed, and professional aspirations are nurtured.

Explore Diverse Job Opportunities

The State of Illinois offers a range of employment options from administrative roles to environmental conservation, healthcare, and more. Each career path is equipped with comprehensive benefits and opportunities for career advancement.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with the State of Illinois through its dynamic internship programs. These opportunities are designed for those who are looking to develop their professional skills in a real-world setting, providing a stepping stone to full-time employment.

Innovative Work Environment

Innovation is key in the operations at the State of Illinois. Employees are encouraged to bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the table, driving the State towards efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.

Professional Growth and Development

The State of Illinois is committed to the professional development of its team. With access to diverse training programs, including leadership development and diversity training, employees are well-equipped to ascend in their careers.

Benefits and Culture

The employment experience at the State of Illinois is enhanced by its inclusive culture and comprehensive benefits package. The State values the well-being and satisfaction of its team, ensuring a supportive and positive work environment.

Networking and Career Advancement

Networking within the State of Illinois can significantly enhance career trajectories. Employees have numerous opportunities to connect with leaders and peers through various events and professional groups, fostering a community of collaboration and support.

Join the Team

The State of Illinois is continuously hiring new talent. Explore open positions that match your skills and interests. The hiring process at the State of Illinois is transparent and thorough, ensuring that the best candidates are selected for the right positions. Prepare your resume, ace the interview, and join a team that values hard work and dedication.

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