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Executive Director of Economic Development and Government Affairs

Official Job Description

Executive Director of Economic Development and Government Affairs

Supervised by: President

Department: President's Office

Grade: M

Category: Full-time Administrator (10% Grant Funded)

Status: Exempt

Function of the Job

The Executive Director of Fundraising and Economic Development is responsible for Impact Program fundraising and the Illinois Small Business Development Center and provides coordination for economic development efforts that enhance the mission, vision, and strategic plan of the College.

Duties and Responsibilities

  1. Plan and direct collaborative economic development strategies that advance the College's mission, vision and strategic plan. 
  2. Lead government relations and legislative advocacy by serving as the college's primary liaison to elected officials; develop and implement a legislative agenda, monitor legislation and public policy, advise President and Cabinet of higher ed initiatives to support Sauk Valley Community College projects that enhance regional economic growth and development.
  3. Build strategic partnerships and advance funding opportunities by regularly communicating college priorities with relationships with legislators, government agencies, and elected officials including coordinating campus visits for government representatives.
  4. Oversee the Illinois Small Business Development Center. Collaborate with center director to ensure grant objectives/metrics are achieved and share measured successes showcasing regional impact. 
  5. Identify funding solicitations to support the College's strategic plan and capital project initiatives, by providing donor communication support.
  6. Serve as a key team member of the leadership team to contribute to the planning, development, and management of the college's relationships with elected officials, organizations, leaders, community leaders, and other key stakeholders.
  7. Identify public funding opportunities to support the mission and goals of the college. 
  8. Participate in community activities, including membership in at least one community organization to integrate with and maintain communities served by the college.
  9. Serve as Administrator on Duty on a rotating basis (3% tort).
  10. Serve as a member of the Leadership Council.
  11. Assume all other reasonable professional duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

Essential Functions

  1. Must understand and support the mission of the community college.
  2. Must be able to communicate effectively by phone and email on a daily basis.
  3. Must be able to provide verbal/visual presentations to personnel, institution, local community areas, and Board of Trustees as required.
  4. Must be able to work with Microsoft Office products.
  5. Must be able to interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
  6. Must be able to work in a team environment.

Personal Interaction

Frequent contact is made with all levels of College personnel, the general public and outside organizations in relation to routine departmental services and duties in providing appropriate assistance and information as requested.

Supervision Exercised

Functional and administrative supervision is exercised over the Program Director Illinois Small Business Development Center.

Requirements

B.A. or B.S. degree in related fields. Preferred certification in fundraising and economic development. Five years experience with small business management, marketing, and fundraising. Budget and program management experience, strong marketing and sales orientation, ability to master technical literature, and excellent communication skills including public speaking are also required.

Revised: 07/13/2026

Tort Liability Statement:

Coordinates the College Risk Management Program in a capacity appropriate to this position. This includes, but is not limited to, monitoring conditions, events and circumstances present through daily College operations, and communicating observations to the appropriate supervisor or taking necessary actions to correct, prevent or limit safety problems. May serve as a member of a committee that supports the health, safety and/or legal rights of visitors, students and staff. Such committees may include the AA/EEO, Sexual Harassment, and Safety/Loss Control committees. (Risk Management Categories I, III, IV. See Tort file.)

This description is intended to indicate the kinds and levels of work difficulty that will be required of the position that will be given the title and shall not be construed as declaring what specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of the supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

 

Employee Signature Supervisor Signature

 
Date Signed by Employee Date Signed by Supervisor