Accenture to add 500 jobs in Chicago

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Updated: November 16, 2011 1:18PM

Mayor Rahm Emanuel has announced Accenture will add 500 jobs to its Chicago workforce, bringing the total number of jobs the mayor has announced during his administration to more than 7,000.

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with more than 236,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Chicago is Accenture’s biggest U.S. office, with more than 5,000 employees, according to a release from the mayor’s office.

“To compete in the global marketplace, Chicago must attract and retain top talent and offer competitive, high-tech jobs,” Emanuel said. “Accenture’s leadership and expertise helps to drive the city towards being a center for technology and innovation in the country, and these new jobs will advance Chicago in this regard.”

Jorge Benitez, Accenture chief executive, said, “We hire highly motivated and talented individuals with well-developed skills and that’s why Accenture embraces the diversity of the talent pool that a city like Chicago has to offer.”

In addition to employing more than 5,000 people in Chicago, Accenture works with 16 of the 18 Illinois Fortune 200 companies and with 21 of the 31 Illinois-based Fortune 500 companies, the release said. Accenture Chicago is also home to three Innovation Centers.

Accenture also is working with the city of Chicago as part of a procurement initiative with a focus on reducing costs throughout city government. The firm is in the midst of a spend analysis, and has identified millions in potential savings that will start to be realized in early 2012.

Accenture is similarly working with the city’s Chief Procurement Officer to begin supplier renegotiations as part of this project.