Business Diversity Compliance Specialist

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community.

Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The Business Enterprise Development (BED) unit in Procurement, is responsible for the administration and monitoring of the Remedial Program (“Program”) for Minority-Owned Business Enterprise and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (“MBE and WBE”). The MBE and WBE Program is intended to help create and sustain an equitable business environment by promoting the participation in public contracting and procurement of all qualified and available businesses owned and controlled by minorities and women.

Reporting to the Senior Manager for the Business Enterprise Development Unit in Procurement, the Business Diversity Compliance Specialist will be responsible for ensuring compliance with Business Enterprise Development initiatives and assisting in the development and implementation of strategies to promote participation in public contracting and procurement of all qualified and available businesses owned and controlled by minorities and women. The Compliance Specialist will support the achievement of departmental and district aspirational goals by monitoring compliance with diversity requirements, identifying opportunities, making recommendations for improvement, and providing information and assistance related to the MBE and WBE Program.

This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

• Review each solicitation issued/advertised 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 Business Enterprise Development language for all advertised solicitations and Board Reports. Outreach advertised solicitations for assigned categories to the MBE/WBE community via the B2GNow Outreach software module.
• Review MBE/ WBE Compliance 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/ WBE companies to help achieve solicitation and aspirational goals. Monitor the compliance of all contracts per assigned category to ensure compliance requirements are met.
• 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. Participate in Vendor Scorecard Performance reviews to provide updates on contracts.
• Assist in the preparation of any monthly, quarterly, and annual program evaluation reports and scorecards to be presented to the Board on MBE/WBE performance as it relates to commitments versus the actual utilization of MBE/ WBE on contracts.
• Provide MBE and WBEs with relevant information and assistance…