Business Development Associate

Organization:

The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that serves all of Minnesota and whose mission is to transform our community by creating economic opportunities for Latinos/as/e Since 2003, LEDC has worked with aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small businesses to offer technical assistance, business development strategies, access to loan funds for business start-ups or expansions, equipment, working capital, and/or land/building acquisition or rehabilitation needs. Our vision is a thriving multicultural community enriched with Latino leadership, culture, and economic influence. With over 370,000 Latinos in MN and 13% of Latinos living in the Southwest region of MN it is imperative to have a presence in the region.

El Centro de Desarrollo Económico Latino (LEDC, por sus siglas en inglés) es una Institución Financiera de Desarrollo Comunitario (CDFI, por sus siglas en inglés) sin fines de lucro que sirve a todo Minnesota y cuya misión es transformar nuestra comunidad mediante la creación de oportunidades económicas para los latinos. Desde 2003, LEDC ha trabajado con aspirantes a empresarios y pequeñas empresas existentes para ofrecer asistencia técnica, estrategias de desarrollo empresarial, acceso a fondos de préstamos para la creación o expansión de empresas, necesidades de equipamiento, capital de trabajo y/o adquisición o rehabilitación de terrenos/edificios. Nuestra visión es una comunidad multicultural próspera enriquecida con liderazgo, cultura e influencia económica latina. Con más de 370,000 latinos en MN y el 13% de los latinos viviendo en la región suroeste de MN, es imperativo tener presencia en la región.

Position: Business Development Associate

Responsible to: Business Development Director

Employment Classification: Exempt

Job Summary:

The Business Development Associate will help expand LEDC’s culture of strong client relationships through ongoing customer contact, quality customer service in serving Latinos/as/es in Minnesota to start or operate their business successfully. The primary focus are will be in Southwest Minnesota serving 18 counties (Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Swift and Yellow Medicine). This position will perform specific business development duties as identified by LEDC’s Business Development Director and required under specific Grants, Government Contracts, and RFP’s. Key activities include providing technical assistance and training in Southwest Minnesota to aspiring, micro and small business owners in areas such as business feasibility, formation, regulations and compliance, access to capital, operations, marketing and finance, to name a few.

The candidate selected for this position must be bilingual in english/spanish and located in the Southwest Minnesota area (preferably in the Willmar or Worthington area).

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (“Must-Haves)

• Bilingual (Spanish)
• Business development experience or expertise
• Work collaboratively with other LEDC programs, colleagues, and partner organizations.
• Detail oriented and systems thinker
• Direct experience working within a non-profit organization with lending, business development, and financial lending with a proven ability to oversee and implement practices that enhance financial performance.
• Demonstrated ability to build connections with local communities and organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple, concurrent objectives, projects, or activities and work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Excellent listening skills and project management skills (time management and outreach)
• Self-motivated and strong project manager; willing to drive projects to the finish line.
• Experience in lending, technical assistance, community development, compliance, monitoring, and regulatory environments in CDFIs.
• Strong decision-making skills with a people centered approach to understanding the challenges of our market.
• Experience in public speaking and conflict resolution.
• Willingness to travel and work in various locations across the state and counties of Southwest MN.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct outreach and assess aspiring entrepreneurs’ strengths and opportunities in order to collaboratively create a work plan with the purpose of acquiring skills relevant to managing a successful startup business.
• Monitor and respond to compliance reports from funders
• Guide aspiring entrepreneurs in the process of creating a startup business, which includes providing regulatory, operational, marketing, financial, real estate and access to capital technical assistance.
• Provide regulatory, operational, marketing and financial, real estate and access to capital technical assistance to business owners with the purpose of improving business revenue and sustainability.
• Actively support the underwriting of business loan applications according to LEDC’s internal policies and engage with LEDC’s Lending Department and collaborating lending organizations with the purpose of breaching prospective entrepreneurs and business owners with working capital.
• Refer prospective entrepreneurs and business owners to professional legal, commercial real estate, commercial insurance, website design and tax advice.
• Serve as liaison between city/county inspectors and prospective entrepreneurs and business owners to solve licensing issues.
• Conduct business training for a cohort of 20 to 50 participants, as directed by LEDC’s Business Development Director.
• Maintain constant open communication channels with all members of LEDC’s Business Development Team.
• Collaborate in various intra-organization projects, requiring close interaction with LEDC’s Agriculture and Lending Teams.
• Maintain detailed notes of all services provided in the designated Customer Relationship Management system (CRM) and in other reporting systems as needed.
• Update and maintain records of services provided in compliance with LEDC’s commitments under specific Grants, Government Contracts and RFP’s, Federal and State Data Practice regulations, including key output and outcome measures.
• Develop relationships with collaborators, including local businesses, commercial property owners, banks, local government, and others involved in small business development throughout Southwest Minnesota. Represent the LEDC through involvement in initiatives led by the local governments, business associations, and philanthropic community.
• Support Marketing and Communications efforts by capturing photos, videos, and stories of LEDC clients and members, as requested and as relevant.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree (BA) from four-year college or university, or three years of related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of experience working with small businesses either as a consultant or in management, a must.
• Experience working with underrepresented communities.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Strong leadership skills; the ability to motivate others to achieve organizational goals.
• Proficient using Microsoft Office systems (Outlook, Word, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, Planner); TEAMS, SharePoint and Salesforce are a plus
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Requires moving equipment, documents, or work materials up to 30 pounds.
• Must be fluent in both English and Spanish to effectively communicate with customers and clients in a diverse setting.
• Home Office or partner office is preferred in Wilmar or Worthington.

Compensation and Benefits:

Limited Term, grant funded position: Pay range for this role is: $49,000.00 to $65,000.00 per year. This position may be housed at one of our partner agencies in the Southwest portion of MN.

• Hours are 9-5 pm, with some evening and weekend work expected to meet critical deadlines
• LEDC pays for medical, dental and vision insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability, but this is subject to change.
• 9 paid holidays (including two floating holidays) along with paid time off between Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day
• Paid Parental Leave

Equal Employment Opportunity

LEDC celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Reasonable accommodation will be provided for applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance, please contact us at careers@ledcmn.org. Please indicate what assistance is needed.

LEDC regrets that it is unable to offer H-1B sponsorship at this time. The successful candidate, under U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations, must be able to accept work in the U.S. by the day employment begins.

To apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to careers@ledcmn.org. The position will remain open until filled, but applications received by Monday, August 11, 2025 will receive priority attention.

Latino Economic Development Center 804 Margaret Street, Saint Paul, MN 55106

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $49,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

Monday to Friday

Work Location: On the road