Job Description
Salary: $110,068.00 - $154,876.00 Annually
Location : Winnetka, IL
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 20251217
Department: Village Manager's Office
Opening Date: 12/17/2025
General Purpose The Economic Development Manager is responsible for overseeing and managing economic development and business assistance, business development (existing business retention/expansion and new business attraction), marketing/branding activities, and special events. The Economic Development Manager will act as a liaison to the Winnetka business community by working closely with the Community Development Department, as well as Village advisory boards and the Winnetka-Northfield-Glencoe Chamber of Commerce. The Manager will have a key role in the implementation of Winnetka's Downtown Master Plan and will utilize planning and zoning expertise to assist the Village in special projects such as site redevelopment, public infrastructure improvements, and process improvement.
Essential Functions - Manage and oversee new business development by creating and implementing strategic business attraction, retention, and expansion initiatives and visits to attract targeted retail and permitted/desired uses.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with business owners, business tenants, real estate professionals, brokers, landlords, and developers.
- Develop and maintain a commercial property database and directories of businesses and available sites.
- Expand the Village's knowledge of its market, including vacancies, leases, acquisitions and leakage to create a targeted growth strategy.
- Design, prepare, and implement marketing strategies and promotional materials; forge partnerships and cross-promotional co-advertising/marketing opportunities with business district stakeholders.
- Act as a liaison/ombudsman to the business community by assisting prospective businesses with information such as site locations, process requirements, zoning information, preliminary walk-throughs, etc. Serve as the Village's lead and single point of contact for potential businesses and applicants, and for the Village's commercial tenants in the Winnetka train station and 93 Green Bay Road.
- Develop the economic development budget for annual programing and initiatives in coordination with the Deputy Village Manager; manage funds, track, and monitor economic development expenses.
- Work closely with the Community Development Department to streamline Village processes and address zoning and Code issues with regards to the business community.
- Work closely with the Police Department to provide safety, parking, and liquor licensing information to the business community.
- Monitor the business climate regarding available space and economic development opportunities, as well as monitor and report on relevant trends.
- Manage outreach and communication activities related to the business community and the three business districts, especially focusing on an improved web presence. Manage and promote the social media presence for the Village's economic development activities. Manage the Village's downtown banner program.
- Collaborate to improve, expand, and promote local special events. Coordinate and recommend sponsorship opportunities with local businesses, non-profit organizations, and events.
- Attend meetings of the Village Council, advisory boards, and/or ad hoc committees to make presentations and follow current issues.
- Act as the Village's liaison in the potential redevelopment of the Village-owned Post Office site and other redevelopment opportunities. Coordinate with Village staff and stakeholders on public infrastructure projects in the business districts. Serve as the Village's lead and point of contact for businesses during development and infrastructure projects.
- Assist in the implementation of the 2016 Downtown Master Plan and 2018 Downtown Streetscape & Signage Master Plan by creating economic development strategies from the action plan, coordinating follow-up studies and analysis, and continuing to engage the business community in the Plan Vision.
- Gather and interpret data and prepare reports and recommendations.
- Prepare reports and communications for the Deputy Village Manager, Village Manager, and Village Council as directed, including weekly Council updates.
- Plan meetings and events.
- Serve as liaison between the Village, business districts, merchant groups, and the Winnetka-Northfield-Glencoe Chamber of Commerce.
- As directed, attend public, professional, and community meetings as a Village representative.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Desired Minimum Qualifications - Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in urban planning; real estate; public administration; business administration; or a closely related field.
- Four (4) years' of progressively responsible related work experience, preferably in a municipal or planning consultant environment.
- Economic Developer Certification desirable.
Other Requirements Weekly work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 40 hours weekly. May require occasional attendance at evening and morning meetings.
Village of Winnetka Position Range (1/1/26) : $110,068 - $154,876, DOQ.
For questions or assistance, please contact Ann Eriksson, Human Resources Manager, at (847) 716-3546 or aeriksson@winnetka.org.
Insurance Benefits Effective 1/1/2026 - BlueCross BlueShield Health Insurance - PPO Plan 1 Highlights:
- Deductible: $400 (per person, in-network)
- Office Visit: $20
- Co-Insurance: 90% (in-network), 70% (out-of-network)
- Employee Rate (24 pay checks):
- Employee Only: $65.57
- Employee + 1: $131.14
- Family: $187.21
- BlueCross BlueShield Health Insurance - PPO Plan 2 Highlights:
- Deductible: $5,600 (per person, in-network)
- Office Visit: Deductible applies, then $0
- Co-Insurance: 100% (in-network), 80% (out-of-network)
- Employee Rate (24 pay checks):
- Employee Only: $50.43
- Employee + 1: $100.86
- Family: $143.98
- BlueCross BlueShield Health Insurance - HMO Highlights:
- Deductible: Unlimited
- Office Visit: $20
- Co-Insurance: 100% (in-network)
- Employee Rate (24 pay checks):
- Employee Only: $46.31
- Employee + 1: $92.65
- Family: $132.22
- Delta Dental PPO:
- Deductible: $50 (per person)
- Annual Maximum: $1,500 (per person)
- Employee Rate (24 paychecks)
- Single: $0
- Employee + 1 Dependent: $20.63
- Family: $47.23
- EyeMed Vision Insurance:
- Annual Eye Exam Co-pay: $0
- Annual Frame Allowance: $200, plus 20% off the balance over $200
- Annual Lens Allowance: $200
- Employee Rate (24 paychecks)
- Single: $0.00
- Employee + 1 Dependent: $4.24
- Family: $8.44
- Securian Life Insurance:
- All employees receive Village-paid basic term life coverage valued at 1x base salary and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services
- Optional Life Insurance with Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Coverage for Employees, Spouses, and Children is available for purchase (100% Employee-Paid)
- National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS):
- Voluntary life insurance for Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) employees (optional for purchase)
- Discovery Benefits Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA):
- Pre-tax dollars the employee may allocate to pay for qualifying out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses and for the care of dependents
- Securian Accident, Critical Illness, & Hospital Indemnity plans
Retirement Savings Plans - Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF):
- Mandatory pension plan for non-sworn public employees.
- Employees Contribute 4.5% of their wages bi-weekly (26 paychecks)
- Voluntary Additional Contribution savings plan available
- MissionSquare (ICMA) Retirement Corporation:
- Optional 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (pre-tax savings)
- Optional Roth 457 Plan (post-tax savings)
- Optional Roth IRA Plan (post-tax savings)
- Nationwide Retirement Solutions:
- Optional 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (pre-tax savings)
Paid Leave - Sick Leave:
- 12 sick days per year
- Maximum sick leave accrual is 180 days
- Vacation Earning Schedule:
- 1st - 4th year: 10 days
- 5th - 7th year: 1 additional day (14 days at 8th year)
- 9th year: 15 days
- 10th - 13th year: 1 additional day (20 days at 14th year)
- 15th - 21st year: 21 days
- 22nd year: 22 days
- 23rd year: 23 days
- 24th year: 24 days
- 25th & subsequent: 25 days
- Employees can carry over one year's earning of vacation days
- Personal Days:
- 5 personal days each calendar year (cannot be carried over year-to-year)
- Village Holidays:
- New Year's Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Day After Thanksgiving
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
Other Benefits - Commuter Benefits
- Employees utilizing public transportation to commute to work may use pre-tax dollars to pay for transit passes and qualifying rideshare expenses
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Professional Development
01
Please describe a project which you have overseen, including the project goals, outcomes, and your responsibilities.
02
List any additional skills and/or training that you have relevant to the Economic Development Manager position:
03
How did you learn of this position?
- Village of Winnetka Website
- GovernmentJobs.com
- ILCMA Website
- WCMA Website
- Indeed
- Newspaper Ad
- School Website
- Referral
- The Blue Line
- Other
04
If you selected 'Other' please state how you learned of this position otherwise type N/A.
05
The Village of Winnetka is committed to remaining a Drug-Free Workplace. I understand the Village's pre-employment process involves drug testing (including cannabis) and the Village retains the right to rescind a conditional offer of employment due to a positive test result for cannabis.
Required Question
Job Tags
Full time, Work experience placement, Work at office, Local area, Monday to Friday, Flexible hours, Day shift, Afternoon shift,