Lead Business Associate

The ideal candidate will work in our Willmar, MN or Sioux Falls, SD office, but will consider hybrid or remote. Salary range: $44,000 - $65,000. 

The Lead Business Associate is a full-time loan originator and day-to-day team leader within the Loan Operations Team. This role manages workflow, supports team members, and ensures operational excellence in business and agricultural loan origination. The Lead Business Associate is a strong partner to the Senior Business Associate, collaborating on system and workflow training, process improvements, and best practices. The Lead also works closely with Credit Portfolio Managers, customers, and external contacts to facilitate smooth and compliant loan processing.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Loan Origination (Full-Time Focus)

• Originate, process, and book new, renewal, and modification loans for business and agricultural clients.
• Ensure accuracy, compliance, and completeness of loan documentation.
• Maintain high standards for loan quality and regulatory adherence.

Team Leadership & Workflow Management

• Oversee daily workflow and task assignments for Business Associates.
• Monitor loan pipeline and ensure timely processing.
• Act as first point of contact for escalated or complex transactions.
• Provide coaching, guidance, and support to team members.

Partnership & Training

• Collaborate closely with the Senior Business Associate to deliver system and workflow training to the team.
• Serve as a resource for system functionality, process changes, and operational updates.
• Support implementation of new workflows, templates, and compliance requirements.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives and share feedback from the team.

Collaboration & Relationship Management

• Partner closely with Credit Portfolio Managers to facilitate loan origination, resolve issues, and ensure smooth processing.
• Serve as a primary contact for customers and external partners, providing professional, accurate, and timely service throughout the loan lifecycle.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders (Universal Bankers, Private Bankers, Relationship Managers) and external contacts (attorneys, title companies, vendors) to support loan documentation, closing, and ongoing servicing.
• Represent the Loan Operations team in cross-functional meetings and initiatives, sharing feedback and advocating for process improvements.

Training & Development

• Lead onboarding and ongoing training for new and existing team members.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Secondary Duties & Responsibilities:

• All Employee Owners must help Heritage be successful in any way possible never saying “That’s not my job”. As an Employee Owner “Everything is my job”. 
• Participates in all required BSA training and demonstrates the knowledge of BSA relative to job responsibilities.
• Responsible for security as it applies to this position.
• Responsible for compliance with laws and regulations applicable to this position.
• Responsible for performing professional and accurate service.
• Performs other tasks as assigned.

Other Skills / Characteristics

• Leadership: Ability to motivate and guide a team. 
• Communication: Strong verbal and written skills. 
• Problem Solving: Skilled at resolving issues and improving processes. 
• Collaboration: Works effectively across departments and with external partners. 
• Compliance Awareness: Ensures regulatory and policy adherence. 
• Technical Aptitude: Comfortable with LOS and related systems. 
• Positive attitude and ownership mindset.

Bank Standards: 

• Mission – Helping People Succeed Financially 
• Ethics – We always do the right thing at work and in our personal lives. 
• Solution – We bring solutions to challenges and are always looking for ways to be better. 
• Ownership – We are accountable in our roles and accept responsibility for our mistakes. 
• Positivity – We bring positive energy and enthusiasm to everything we do

Disclaimer:

The statements contained in this job description describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person accepting this role. “Secondary Duties and Responsibilities” are considered incidental or secondary to the overall purpose of the job. This job description does not state or imply the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this job. Employees holding this job will be required to perform any other job-related duties requested by management. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.

Requirements

Education

• 2-year degree or equivalent work experience 

Experience

• 5–7 years of relevant experience in loan operations, commercial/agricultural loan origination, or a closely related banking function.
• Strong understanding of Business and Agricultural loan origination lifecycle.
• Experience with loan documentation, booking, and quality control.
• Familiarity with loan origination systems (Hawthorn River experience preferred).
• Experience leading or mentoring others preferred.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and communication skills.