Intersect Illinois is a nonprofit economic development organization that facilitates the attraction of new businesses and markets the state to domestic and global business leaders.  Intersect Illinois’ mission is to bring jobs and investment to the state of Illinois through dynamic collaborations with industry, academic, and government partners and to support a unified approach to economic development. A public-private partnership, Intersect’s board of directors includes business and civic leaders representing the state’s diverse industries, geographies and communities. 

Intersect works directly with companies interested in exploring Illinois for their next relocation or expansion project. With its network of partners, including the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Intersect Illinois is committed to providing companies and site selection professionals with the information and resources to make investment decisions.  Bringing a fresh approach to economic development, Intersect Illinois is comprised of a diverse team with deep domain experience, adapting best-in-class processes and procedures to build long-term relationships. Intersect Illinois operates with the highest integrity and key values, which include being consistent, responsive, professional, and connected while always acting with a sense of urgency to deliver continuity, trust, integrity and accountability to the process of business attraction and expansion.

The research team at Intersect Illinois is responsible for collecting, analyzing and communicating information in order to empower internal and external partners in support of the mission to drive economic growth throughout Illinois. The research team collaborates closely with and supports the business development, corporate relations, executive and marketing teams.

The Research Associate is responsible for day-to-day research tasks as be a part of a team of economic development professionals using informed data analytics to attract investment and jobs into the state of Illinois. This position’s primary responsibility is to conduct research for projects, marketing materials, and partner communities (among other internal and external partners). The associate works to expand the team’s understanding of Illinois’ economy, the region’s competitive assets and other topics. This junior level position reports to the Research Manager and works closely with the business development, corporate relations, executive and marketing teams.  

 

• Conduct day-to day research tasks including labor analytics, business information/market research, public data collection and synthesis, Illinois economic dashboard monitoring, and customized research

• Collaborate with Intersect Illinois’ administrative, business development, events, executive and marketing teams

• Asist in the administration of specific research tools (such as GIS Planning) to maintain high-quality database, create new users, train partners on system, and analyze system usage

• Initiate and conduct competitive research

• Interact with network of research partners including the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

• Perform other special projects and duties as assigned 

• Functional knowledge: labor analytics, business information/market research, public data collection 

• Proficient in: Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel), utilizing public data sources (i.e. BLS, BEA, Census)

• Experience: understanding of economic development and the role research plays in economic development/business attraction; knowledge of ArcGIS mapping software welcome

• Attributes: strong intellectual curiosity/desire to learn new things; proven ability to learn quickly and work with limited supervision, finding solutions to problems as they arise and taking ownership of assigned work; able to manage multiple projects concurrently and meet time-sensitive deadlines; team-based approach towards work

• Skills: superb communication and interpersonal skills; excellent professional judgement; exceptional critical thinking skills

• Degree: Bachelor’s degree in economics, geography, public policy, statistics, urban planning or related field required

Please send resume, cover letter, 2 professional/educational references and research or writing sample to: https://app.trinethire.com/companies/811-intersect-illinois/jobs/23827-research-associate