USDOT Small Business Transportation Resource Centers (SBTRCs)
Project Director Job Description
The Project Director is to serve as the responsible party for the program. The Project Director’s time must be dedicated 100% to DOT OSDBU programs. She/he must hold themselves personally accountable and act with integrity. This continuous learner should stay abreast of small business trends and emerging opportunities. She/he should have a passion for the mission. The Project Director must be located onsite, unless otherwise approved by RAD.
About the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1990 as the Mexican American Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) is the leading Hispanic business organization in the Midwest and one of the largest, most active, and most respected Hispanic chambers of commerce in the country. IHCC works with business owners, providing strategic services designed to help those businesses grow. The IHCC staff is a team of committed individuals that believe in our work. Our team is community-minded, highly collaborative, and fun.
1. Project Management & Oversight
• Responsible for the successful execution of goals and deliverables as stated in the RFP and Cooperative Agreement between the SBTRC and USDOT’s OSDBU.
• Provide oversight to ensure that personnel and consultants are performing in accordance with government requirements and restrictions.
• Delegate to the Project Coordinator tasks necessary to ensure conformance with the Cooperative Agreement.
• Ensure the program is high-quality, compliant, productive, and efficient, and that best practices are communicated and followed.
• Ensure all resources (financial, employee skill sets, etc.) are properly allocated and managed.
• Review and/or audit documents, forms, invoices, and procedures for appropriateness and accuracy, and initiate corrective action as appropriate.
• Develop and foster a program culture and mindset focused on quality and continuous improvement.
2. Financial Management
• Hold primary financial responsibility for the program budget.
• Responsible for establishing the budget and ensuring funds are clearly delineated from host organization funds.
• Regularly review program costs against the budget. Monitor the account and accounts payable.
• Communicate financial problems or concerns to the Executive Director in a timely manner.
• Provide oversight of internal systems, controls, proper documentation, record retention, participant progress, as well as regular reporting and accountability for the use of grant funds.
3. Staffing & Human Resources
• Responsible for hiring and managing personnel and consultants.
• Communicate and collaborate with the Executive Director in scheduling resources (i.e., labor, financial, and equipment/tools).
• Ensure the project complies with state and federal employment regulations.
4. Reporting & Compliance
• Submits all requested reports (using templates when provided) to OSDBU in a timely manner.
• Participate in monthly SBTRC calls.
• Have a working knowledge of Neoserra and ensure all information is accurately and timely entered.
• Represent SBTRC at meetings and functions related to the program.
• Ensure the program meets goals for OGLs, WITI, and 3% bonding for each project.
5. Client Engagement & Customer Service
• Schedule and facilitate regular client meetings during the course of the project.
• Measure the success of meeting clients’ expectations and value drivers during the project.
• Develop, cultivate, and maintain personal working relationships with clients, potential clients, stakeholders, partners, and local, state, and federal government officials.
6. Outreach & Community Engagement
• Be active in the local transportation community.
• Provide effective outreach to small businesses within the region.
• Oversee the dissemination of information and distribution of approved DOT OSDBU marketing materials, press releases, success stories, and social media postings.
7. Strategic Planning & Governance
• Establish and maintain a Regional Planning Committee consisting of members with expertise and recommendations to effectively administer DOT OSDBU programs.
• Must never allow herself/himself to be in a position that results in a conflict of interest in the duties owed by the directors to the corporation.
• Must not abuse one’s powers by exercising them for an improper purpose—e.g., to gain personal advantage, benefit another party improperly, or unduly discriminate against a person—without justifiable reason.
8. Research & Analysis
• Perform business analyses and market research.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Education
University degree in business development, marketing, or business management.
Knowledge and Skills
• Strong understanding of small businesses, U.S. government grants and contracts, and U.S. government reporting and planning processes.
• Excellent planning, project management, and personnel management skills.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills.
• Flexible, creative, and able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence.
• Ability to engage senior leaders and small business community members.
• Collaborative and strategic in partnering with other teams and departments to achieve program goals.
Experience
• At least five years of work-related experience in business development, project management, and implementation of activities in the economic development sector or a nonprofit organization.
• Excellent project management experience with attention to detail.
• Adept with identifying new business opportunities to serve clients.
• Experience designing data collection tools and research methods to develop impact reports is highly desired.
• Proven experience in leading a program and team toward achieving results under pressure.
• Demonstrated experience building collaborative relationships and unity within an organization to ensure program operations excel.
IHCC offers a hybrid working model of 1 day a week working from home and 4 in the office. IHCC offers a complete package of benefits, including 401K, paid vacation, life insurance, and health, dental, and vision insurance, among other benefits.
Compensation: Salary $70,000-$77,000, depending on experience.
Interested candidates, please email your resume and a cover letter to IHCC Chief of Staff Marcela Cartagena at [email protected].