Trade & Recruitment Manager

Initial Posting Date: 12/04/2025 Application Deadline: 12/30/2025 Agency: Oregon Business Development Department Salary Range: $7,353 - $11,373 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Trade & Recruitment Manager Job

Description:

Business Oregon the state’s economic development agency, is currently hiring a Trade & Recruitment Manager (Grants, Loans, & Programs Manager 2). This position supports the agency by providing management and oversight of staff focused on international trade/export promotion, business recruitment/foreign direct investment and international relations throughout Oregon.

The Trade & Recruitment Manager will work closely with state, regional and local partners to promote Oregon as a location for expanding domestic and international businesses while also assisting Oregon exporters to market and sell their goods abroad. This role also provides a key

opportunity:

to advance Oregon’s economic development mission by planning and participating in outbound missions led by the Oregon Governor or agency Director. Note: We are committed to fostering a supportive work environment that promotes work-life balance and flexibility. This hybrid role offers remote work options, with the expectation of occasional in-office presence as needed to support business operations.

What will you do: Oversee the strategic vision and policy direction for promoting Oregon in foreign markets and attracting Foreign Direct Investment.

• Lead and organize international Governor Trade Missions and participation in trade shows, Select USA Investment Summit, and other high-profile events to promote Oregon and its business climate.
• Develop and implement FDI and business recruitment strategies, including marketing campaigns, grant programs, and export promotion initiatives.
• Manage, mentor, and provide leadership to a team of professional staff, including foreign trade offices and contracted consultants.
• Collaborate with stakeholders at all levels—including the Governor’s Office, local governments, businesses, and international partners—to advance trade and recruitment objectives.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and agency policies, maintain accurate program performance metrics, and recommend program improvements.
• Reviews and approve contracts agreements.
• Monitor program budget and monitor resource allocation for optimal program delivery.

Represent Business Oregon at legislative, policy, and stakeholder meetings, providing expertise on global trade, business recruitment, and economic development strategies. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and affirmative action within program operations and team management. The ideal candidate will possess a combination of some or all the following

skills:

Experience:

providing direct management of a team of high-level professional staff Strong collaborative leadership and team development

skills:

, including the ability to mentor and guide staff, build consensus among internal and external stakeholders, and lead cross-functional teams to achieve complex, high-impact economic development objectives. Business Recruitment/Foreign Direct Investment

experience:

with managing projects and developing location promotion and Foreign Direct Investment strategies grounded in measurable market data which have been successful in meeting key performance metrics. Advanced

skills:

in applying economic, industry, and trade data to guide decisions and in developing policies, strategic plans, and program frameworks aligned with federal and state

requirements:

Export Promotion

Experience:

managing export promotion/international trade programs for U.S. exporters including familiarity with international trade shows, B2B matchmaking and Gold Key services in conjunction with the U.S. Commercial Service offices.

Experience:

analyzing international markets, leading trade missions, managing foreign contractors, and developing export promotion and FDI strategies grounded in measurable data. Skilled at working across cultures, engaging with foreign governments, negotiating Memorandums of Understanding, and representing the state in international settings while building strong professional relationships.

Please note: if you are interested in applying for this position, you must attach your current cover letter and resume to your application. Failure to submit the required documents will remove your application from consideration.

What you:

need to qualify: Six years of supervision, management, or progressively related

experience:

OR; Three years of related

experience:

and a bachelor's degree in a related field. Business Oregon strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the

qualifications:

listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every one of our

qualifications:

listed. If you are unsure whether you meet the

qualifications:

of this position, feel free to contact us to discuss your application. What Business Oregon does: Business Oregon is the economic development agency for the state of Oregon. We have

about:

200 people on our team, and we work with communities and businesses. We use our programs and expertise to help businesses grow, so they can in turn add jobs, diversify the economy, and increase Oregon prosperity. We work with communities to enhance and expand infrastructure and community safety with projects such as water/wastewater systems, seismic rehabilitation for schools, or rural broadband development.

This also sets the stage for future business development. Our mission is to invest in Oregon’s businesses, communities, and people to promote a globally competitive, diverse, and inclusive economy, all carried out with an agency strategic plan. The mission of the Oregon Business Development Department dba Business Oregon - is to invest in Oregon businesses, communities, and people to promote a globally competitive, diverse, and inclusive economy.

The Operations Division serves every part of the department and includes all central administrative services. The central services include Communications and Research; Employee Services/HR; Fiscal and Budget Services; Information Technology; and Policy, Audits, and Contracts (PAC). The Communications and Research Section include the Communications and Research teams.

The Section provides services and tools agency-wide, assisting with research and products for strategy and policy-making decisions; and manages agency marketing, communications, social media, and branding. How to Apply Please Note: Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM PDT/PST on December 30, 2025 If you are a current State of Oregon employee, you must apply through your employee Workday account through Jobs Hub.

Click the “Apply” button above to complete your online application. Attach your current cover letter and resume. Failure to submit the required resume and cover letter may remove your application from consideration. Clearly demonstrate in your cover letter how you meet all the minimum

qualifications:

and requested

skills:

listed above. You may attach your cover letter and resume at the beginning of process or at the end of process of completing your workday application. Complete the questionnaire. Warning – Workday will timeout due to inactivity and will not save your application progress unless you use the “save for later” function.

If you need to take a break, please be sure to click the save for later button to save your progress. Be sure to check Workday and your email for additional tasks and updates. After hitting submit there may be additional required tasks for you to complete prior to the announcement closing. The candidates whose work

experience:

most closely matches the

qualifications:

and

skills:

of this position will be invited to interview. What’s in it for you: Family Friendly Work Life Balance: Paid time off, 11 holidays, 3 personal days & optional short- and long-term disability

benefits:

Take Care of Yourself and Your Family: Comprehensive employee

benefits:

, choice of medical plans, vision plan, life insurance, employee assistance program. Invest in Your Future: Pension plan, deferred comp, short- and long-term disability plan, flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care. Be Appreciated: Employee recognition events, agency unique employee recognition program allowing for additional leave options such as vacation buy-out and sick leave roll-over, dynamic employees doing impactful work.

Inclusion: At Business Oregon, we value community and foster a sense of belonging for our employees. Additional Information: The state of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduation dates from an

education:

al institution during the application process. Per the Pay Equity Law passed in 2017, a pay equity analysis will be conducted to determine what pay step the successful candidate will be offered. The analysis will be based on the relevant

experience:

,

education:

, training, and certifications documented in the application materials. It is our policy to provide reasonable accommodations to all applicants who may need them. Should you need assistance, or an accommodation please contact Lies Wattimena at Lies.Wattimena@biz.oregon.gov to discuss how we can best meet your needs.

Veterans’ Preference - Eligible veterans who meet the

qualifications:

will be given veterans' preference. If you checked that you are a veteran, we will ask you for your documents later in the process. Click on the Veterans’ Preference link for additional information. Criminal Records Check - Hiring of the successful candidate will be contingent upon the results of a Criminal Background Check.

Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification. Work Authorization - Business Oregon does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States.

This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates to fill the current position and may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur. This position is a Mgmt Svc – Supervisory, full-time position, exempt and is not represented by a union. PERS – This is a PERS qualifying position.

After a six-month waiting period, eligible Management Service, Executive Service, and Unrepresented employees will have their base pay increased by 6.95% and the 6% PERS contribution deducted from their base pay rather than a direct 6% contribution by the State of Oregon to the employees PERS account.

This will mirror the bargained SEIU and AFSCME PERS process. Are you looking to live in and

experience:

Oregon? Learn more

about:

life in Pendleton, Salem, and Portland. Need help? We invite you to contact the recruiter for application questions or job-specific questions. The recruiter for this position is Lisa Santiago, HRA2. If you contact the recruiter, please include the job requisition (REQ) number at the top of this job post.

Email: lisa.santiago@biz.oregon.gov Phone (call or text): 971.600.4484 Applicant FAQ Business Oregon Career Opportunities Business Oregon is an Equal

Opportunity:

, Affirmative Action Employer. Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars.

After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate

about:

• helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities.

From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between.

Oregon “flies with her own wings.”