Lending Advisor (3 open positions)

A relationship-driven role for builders of stronger businesses.

Position Overview

The Entrepreneur Fund (EFund) is a mission-driven lender and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) serving businesses across Minnesota and Wisconsin.

EFund is building toward becoming the region’s leading impact investor by pairing trusted guidance with disciplined capital and value-add partnerships to strengthen businesses, contribute to thriving communities, and grow regional economies.

This is not a traditional lending role. The Lending Advisor acts as a trusted guide, capital strategist, and relationship builder, working directly with business owners to understand their goals, assess opportunities, and structure the right path forward.

This role brings together:

• Advising and lending
• Relationships and capital strategy
• Individual client success and regional impact

The Lending Advisor will:

• Work directly with business owners across start-up, growth, and transition stages
• Structure capital solutions that often involve multiple partners and creative pathways
• Improve client business performance and support achievement of long-term goals
• Work with business owners to effectively capitalize their business through EFund financing and other sources of funding, as appropriate
• Build long-term relationships that extend beyond a single loan
• Represent EFund in the market as a credible, trusted partner in the financial ecosystem 

Qualification Essentials

• Bachelor’s degree with a concentration in business, finance, accounting, or related field
• 5 years of relevant experience in commercial lending, business ownership, economic development, or business advisory experience preferred (3 minimum)
• Strong financial acumen, including cash flow analysis, loan structuring, and underwriting concepts
• Experience working with businesses across multiple stages (start-up, growth, transition) preferred
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and influence outcomes 

Location Market Focus

EFund is based in Duluth, MN

Open positions in:

• Duluth-Superior market
• Central Minnesota: providing coverage in Benton, Crow Wing, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine, Morrison, Stearns, and Todd Counties.
• Northern Minnesota: providing coverage in Itasca, Koochiching, Cass and Aitkin Counties, and portions of western St. Louis County.

All positions report to the Duluth, MN, office.

Essential Job Duties

1. Provide Trusted Guidance and Capital Strategy (50%)

• Build strong relationships with business owners to understand aspirations, goals, gaps, and opportunities
• Assess both the business and the person behind it
• Verify, validate and offer lending related feedback on the business and market positioning
• Structure thoughtful capital solutions, often involving multiple partners
• Independently manage loan process by moving projects through EFund pipeline and manage customer expectations
• Serve as a long-term advisor, not a transactional lender

2. Manage a Portfolio and Drive Business Outcomes (25%)

• Manage a diverse portfolio of clients across start-up, main-street businesses, growth-track companies, and ownership succession
• Help clients define and track key milestones and performance indicators
• Provide business guidance, consultation and referrals across areas such as: strategy, operations, HR, marketing, and financial management
• Identify and support evolving capital needs over time

3. Build the Market and Strengthen Partnerships (25%)

• Develop and maintain referral networks with banks, credit unions, and economic development partners
• Represent EFund in the community through intentional and sustained business development activities (events, partnerships, and thought leadership) to create value-add networks 
• Source new client relationships aligned to EFund’s priorities
• Deliver on being a valued partner in the regional financial ecosystem 

Measures of Success

Success in this role is defined by quality, impact, and long-term outcomes, not just volume.

You will be evaluated on:

• Strength and performance of your client portfolio 
• Disciplined loan origination goals aligned to strategy
• Portfolio health and risk management
• Strength of value-add partner relationships and network activity
• Repeat and referral business

Success is measured not just in transactions, but in the long-term strength of the businesses and communities we serve.

Ideal Candidate

This role is designed for someone who brings a demonstrated proficiency and sustained interest in working with businesses across stages. Additionally, these characteristics are critical.

Thinks Like an Investor

• Looks beyond individual transactions to long-term outcomes
• Applies sound judgment and discipline in deploying capital
• Balances risk with opportunity

Acts as a Trusted Guide

• Can assess and understand a business and owner, influence them toward their goals, and pair a variety of capital sources to meet their needs
• Builds credibility quickly with a wide range of business owners
• Asks thoughtful questions and challenges assumptions
• Is equally comfortable advising and structuring deals

Builds Relationships That Last

• Values long-term partnerships over short-term wins
• Navigates complexity across multiple stakeholders
• Represents EFund with professionalism and integrity

Is Experienced and Curious

• Brings strong lending, advisory, or business experience
• Continues to learn and refine their approach
• Thrives in a dynamic, evolving environment

About the Entrepreneur Fund

The Entrepreneur Fund is a mission-driven lender serving a 29-county region and 12 Native nations across Minnesota and Wisconsin. We provide financing from $15,000 to $1M paired with business advising, supporting more than 1,300 clients annually and deploying over $174M since inception.

We believe stronger businesses create stronger communities and this role helps make that happen every day.