Job Opening

Position: Affiliate Relations Manager

Location: Preferred base location in the Chicagoland region

Position Description and Responsibilities

The primary function of the position is to work with the IMEC leadership and staff to develop strategic alliances and identify key partner resources that can help support IMEC's mission and operations. These alliances and resources can be used to expand IMEC's outreach to targeted industry sectors, enhance IMEC's relationships with organizations involved in economic development, and organizations with financial and other resources to support IMEC's operations. As a secondary function, this position may also assist in developing assistance opportunities and service delivery to clients.

Essential Responsibilities:

Works closely with business developers and with IMEC leadership to maintain relationships with appropriate economic development and stakeholder program staff.

Serves as a liaison to a broad range of external resources available to aid in meeting client needs.

Develops relationships with program contacts at local, state, and federal funding agencies.

Aids project staff in identifying opportunities to refer projects to economic development organizations and other stakeholder programs.

Routinely scans web sites of state and local resources for changes in program guidelines, new program development, and additional funding opportunities for client projects.

Supports development of strategiec alliances with program stakeholders.

Maintain face-to-face and phone contact with leaders of economic development organizations, procurement centers, small business development centers, and trade associations for the purposes of identifying business assistance and financial resources in conjunction with IMEC staff.

Assist in developing assistance opportunities and service delivery to clients.

Qualifications

Education/Experience:
Bachelor's Degree is required. Masters preferred. An emphasis in Business, Public Administration, Communications, or related field is preferred. Three or more years experience in economic development, grant writing, and/or business assistance programs at higher education institutions is preferred, with an active knowledge of regional economic development strategy, policy and programming. Must possess strong presentation and communications skills.

Desired Characteristics:
Ability to develop effective partnerships with a wide variety of organizations that can support IMEC's mission including state and local economic development organizations, universities, community colleges, and other not-for-profit organizations. Ability to participate in strategy and program development related to support for manufacturing sector growth. Language Skills:
Successful candidates must be able to demonstrate the ability to synthesize and present data succinctly to nontechnical business executives and interact effectively with all levels of stakeholders.

Reasoning Ability:
Individual must be a team player with the ability to exercise independent, sound judgment and discretion; be able to plan; be well organized; work well under pressure; take initiative, and be flexible and cooperative.

Physical Demands:
Position requires the ability to sit for long periods at a computer terminal. Some walking, standing, and bending are required. Valid driver’s licenses, automobile, and U.S. Citizenship are required.

Work Environment:
Normal office environment and standard hours with extended hours and weekend work as required. Requires the ability to travel by aircraft and automobile to remote locations as needed, and the ability to drive/operate an automobile.

Salary Range

Dependent upon Qualifications. Excellent benefits and working environment.

Classification

Full-time

Application Requirements

Submit cover letter (including desired office location), a resume, and contact information for three business references.

Anticipated Start

Flexible