Data Centers Program Manager

at Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Position Overview

The Data Centers Program Manager position at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity serves as a business professional helping manage and organize the Illinois Data Centers Tax Credit Program, reviewing of applications, responds to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and leads Data Center training and presentations. The Data Centers Program Manager will have the opportunity to partner with local governments, companies, and/or consultants to expand and grow the Data Centers Program and will work on bringing new Data Centers to Illinois, while also working to expand the market of established Data Centers within the state of Illinois. The ideal candidate will be able to help lead and support policy goals and objectives, marketing policies and strategies, and identifies and develops extensive program resources. We welcome interested applicants who can help lead and manage Data Center operations inside this exciting and unique environment to apply.

1. Plans, assigns, and directs the function of the Data Center Program with the primary purpose of creating or retraining jobs in the State of Illinois.


2. Serves as liaison between businesses and communities to promote the data center’s program, industrial and business expansion and development through knowledge of site availabilities and expertise of general marketing principles and practices.


3. Establishes and maintains working relations with management officials of prospective data centers, industrial and business organizations by making contact, determining management requirements, investigating and explaining resources available, and accompanying business personnel during inspections of data centers, sites, buildings and resources.


4. Supervises staff.


5. Recommends the development and revision of divisional policies and agency methods and procedures by consulting with the Bureau Chief of Business Development, concerning the functional organization and the drafting and revision of legislation.


6. Review program applications, draft program Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), assist in the issuance of tax exemption certificates, assist in the issuance of tax credit certificates, and monitor program compliance.


7. Develops educational information to assist Illinois communities in identifying their economic development informational needs and in preparation of data needed to pursue economic growth.


8. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

1. Requires knowledge, skills, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, including course work in business, economics, public administration, industrial relations, or social sciences.


2. Requires one (1) year of professional experience in the field of economic and/or community development activities, or in a related field of the private sector, including sales and/or marketing, or completion of a approved training program as an Economic Development Representative Trainee.

1. Prefers three or more years of professional experience in economics, marketing, and/or business administration.


2. Prefer two or more years of experience in policy or document writing and review.

1. Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history. 


2. Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.


3. Requires possession of appropriate, valid driver’s license.

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 is to support and maintain a climate that enables a strong economy for our customers – taxpayers, businesses, workers and communities – by keeping, attracting and growing businesses, maintaining a skilled workforce, and enhancing communities so that the climate here is one in which businesses, small and large, and workers, can succeed to the greatest extent possible. The Illinois Department of Commerce delivers impactful and efficient programs and services through focused on business, community, and workforce development.