Investment Associate – Education

Background

ABOUT RDF

RDF is a national Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Driven by a mission to unlocking lasting prosperity in communities across America across the United States, RDF provides responsible and attainable financial solutions to community-based organizations focused on health, education, affordable housing, homeownership, and entrepreneurship.

RDF was founded in 1999. As a testament to its exceptional financial strength and impact, RDF stands out as one of the few CDFIs with a prestigious AA- S&P rating. Since its inception, RDF has invested more than $1.6 billion across 38 states, leveraging over $7.2 billion in additional capital.

OUR INVESTMENT STRATEGY

Our investment strategy is predicated on an ultra-high touch and value-added approach to supporting organizations that prioritize premium outcomes to create economic prosperity in communities across America. RDF’s market position as a preferred capital partner enables superior project sourcing capabilities, and our team of impact investment professionals care deeply about the success of our clients.  To that end, we bring more than just capital to the table – we make key connections; provide valuable advice; design and lead structured financings; and deliver innovative solutions.  Operating as a non-regulated, specialty finance company, our due diligence process is decidedly value-based; fundamental, but forward-looking; and we actively embrace complexity to capitalize on differentiated, impact investment opportunities.

Summary

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

Reporting to the Vice President of Education, this position is responsible for providing community development underwriting support to the Education investment team. The Investment Associate will custom-tailor financing solutions for complex structured transactions that involve public/private partnerships, traditional debt, grant capital, and/or tax credit financing. This position will work directly with borrowers, originate and vet investment opportunities across the country, provide technical assistance, conduct due diligence and financial analyses, draft credit memoranda, defend recommendations to credit committees(s), and coordinate the documentation and closing of secured and unsecured credit products for clients in the assigned industry. This role requires a strong understanding or willingness to learn the unique financing needs of educational institutions, particularly charter schools, independent schools, early childhood centers, and adult education providers.  Familiarity with per-pupil funding models, enrollment-driven revenue, and regulatory environments is a plus.

 

Responsibilities

In this role, the incumbent will be expected to:

• Drive business growth by identifying, developing, and managing relationships with new and existing clients to originate high-quality community impact investment opportunities.

• Develop and defend investment credit requests by screening and underwriting financing applications, including analyzing community impact, historical and projected financial performance, management capacity, the feasibility of budgeted financing sources, and conducting prospect site inspection visits; present financing requests for approval and manage closing process.
• Collaborate with the loan operations team to maintain awareness of construction progress, appropriateness of draw requests, adequacy of capital sources, time delays, cost overruns, usage of contingency funds and compliance with legal documents. Complete post-closing follow-up activities, and collect all applicable reporting requirements, as necessary.
• Actively manage and monitor a portfolio of education-related investments and provide deep, ongoing technical assistance to new and existing client relationships.
• Serve as a trusted advisor throughout the life cycle of the relationship. RDF’s clients include For-profit and Not-for-profit developers, Charter Schools, and other education providers.
• Provide high-value technical assistance services, as necessary.
• Seek out and participate in charter school and other education related industry groups, membership organizations and relevant conferences and events.
• Attend client ground breakings, ribbon cuttings, fundraisers; and represent RDF at those events, as necessary.
• Collaborate with other industry specific teams on financing opportunities, as necessary.
• Perform other tasks, as assigned.

Requirements

EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

• 2-5 years of experience structuring, underwriting, closing, and administering commercial real estate predevelopment, acquisition and construction loans.
• Bachelor’s degree required in Finance, Economics, Business, Public Policy, Urban Planning, or related field.
• Familiarity with public education funding mechanisms, nonprofit school operations, or facilities development is a strong plus.
• Previous experience in education is preferred but not necessary.

Compensation and Benefits

Job Type: Full time

Work Location: Remote

Benefits:

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vison insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

 

How to Apply

Interested candidates are required to send a cover letter with a resume.  Resume can be included in the same document. For questions, contact [email protected] referencing specific title of position.