Business Development Lender

Position Summary 

The Business Development Lender originates, underwrites and manages a portfolio of loans to small businesses, with business development as the core of the role.  

The ideal candidate is a self-starter who can generate their own pipeline, structure credit sensibly, and keep clients and referral partners engaged long after the loan closes. 

Key Responsibilities 

Business development 

1. Generate new small business loan opportunities through direct outreach, referrals and community engagement. 
2. Cultivate and maintain relationships with COIs, including accountants, attorneys, bankers, brokers and business advisors, to build a steady referral pipeline. 
3. Represent the organization at networking events, industry meetings and community functions. 
4. Track pipeline activity, referral sources and conversion in the CRM, and report on progress against origination goals. 

Origination and underwriting 

1. Meet with prospective borrowers to understand their business, funding needs and repayment capacity. 
2. Gather and analyze financial statements, tax returns, cash flow projections, credit reports, collateral and other loan documentation. 
3. Structure loan requests and prepare credit memoranda with a clear recommendation and risk rating. 
4. Present loan requests to the credit committee and respond to questions on credit quality and structure. 
5. Ensure each loan follows the organization's credit policy and applicable lending requirements. 

Portfolio management 

1. Manage an assigned portfolio, monitoring loan performance, covenant compliance and borrower financial condition. 
2. Conduct periodic client check-ins, annual reviews and site visits as required. 
3. Identify early warning signs of distress and work proactively with borrowers on solutions, workouts or referrals to business advisory support. 
4. Maintain accurate, current loan files and system records, and support audits and regulatory or investor reviews. 

General 

1. Provide excellent client service and help borrowers understand loan terms, requirements and next steps. 
2. Collaborate with colleagues across lending, business advisory and operations to support borrower success. 
3. Perform other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications 

1. Bachelor's degree in business, finance, accounting or a related field, or equivalent professional experience. 
2. Demonstrated experience in small business lending, commercial banking, CDFI or SBA lending, or a closely related field. 
3. A proven record of generating new business and meeting or exceeding origination goals. 
4. An established network of COIs, including accountants and attorneys, who can refer qualified borrowers and support business development efforts. 
5. Working knowledge of underwriting: financial statement and tax return analysis, cash flow and debt service coverage, collateral evaluation and risk rating. 
6. Experience managing a loan portfolio, including monitoring, servicing and problem-loan resolution. 
7. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present credit requests clearly and explain financial concepts to business owners. 
8. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple deals at once. 
9. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel. 

Preferred Qualifications and Systems 

1. Familiarity with the Spark CRM system and the Downhome loan platform. 
2. Existing relationships with accountants, attorneys and other professional advisors in the local small business community. 
3. Experience with SBA, CDFI or other mission-driven lending initiatives and their structures. 
4. Familiarity with small business accounting conventions across industries, including restaurants and other owner-operated businesses. 
5. Bilingual ability or experience serving diverse, low-to-moderate income (LMI) or minority-owned business communities. 
6. Commitment to the organization's mission of supporting small business growth and community economic development. 

Compensation, Work Environment and Equal Opportunity 

Compensation: $110,000 to $120,000. 

Work environment: Primarily office-based with regular travel within the service area for client meetings, site visits and community events. Flexibility for occasional evening or weekend networking events is expected. 

Equal opportunity: The Enterprise Center is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected class.