Business Diversity Compliance Specialist

Job Summary

The Business Diversity Compliance Specialist supports the Office of Business Diversity in fulfilling the district's commitment to promoting the participation of minority-owned and women-owned businesses in public contracting and procurement. This includes reviewing solicitations, developing strategies, and ensuring compliance with diversity requirements.

Responsibilities

• Review each solicitation issued by the Procurement Department and ensure compliance with CPS' Remedial Program Policies.
• Survey specific industries, marketplace, and supplier or vendor availability through the B2Gnow Software to establish aspirational goals.
• Insert appropriate Affirmative Action language for solicitation and Board Report.
• Review MBE and WBE plans submitted by suppliers and vendors to assist with the evaluation process for all bids, proposals, and qualifications.
• Work with suppliers and vendors to identify certified MBE and WBE companies to help achieve solicitation goals.
• Oversee vendor certification verification process.
• Work directly with internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement strategic plans within their assigned categories and users.
• Participate in pre-submittal conferences for RFPs, RFQs, and Bids.
• Facilitate meetings with suppliers, vendors, user departments, and Procurement staff to discuss and remediate performance issues (if any) resulting in non-compliance on contract.
• Provide MBE and WBEs with relevant information and assistance related to CPS procurement practices and procedures, bid specifications, documentation requirements, and prerequisites.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual program evaluation reports and scorecards to be presented to the Board on Minority-Owned Business Enterprise and Women-Owned Business Enterprise performance as it relates to commitments versus the actual utilization of MBE and WBE on contracts.
• Provide training and assistance to CPS staff and other interested persons on Program objectives and requirements.
• Represent Chicago Public Schools Office of Business Diversity at community-based organization events, vendor fairs and other networking opportunities to ensure the Minority-Owned Business Enterprise and Women-Owned Business Enterprise community is well informed of upcoming contracting opportunities.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience, including a minimum of two (2) years of experience in compliance, business diversity, financial analysis, project management, business development, or a related field.
• Experience: Previous experience in engaging different departments, organizations, individuals, communities, and different levels of stakeholders to build partnerships that support aspirational goals and drive results is preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities: Ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a business to provide insightful recommendations to address deficiencies and monitor for future opportunities; ability to participate and work in diverse environments with strong personalities, great ability to build rapport, and establish working relationships quickly; excellent project management skills; effective time management skills; excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills; excellent interpersonal skills, project management skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail; strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, including an ability to think in terms of processes and systems; proficiency in Oracle, B2Gnow Software, Google GSuite, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access), project management software, dashboards, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).

Conditions of Employment

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.