Senior Business Development Officer

Background

The Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation (UMEZ) is a nonprofit Community Development Financing Institution (“CDFI”) with over $80 million in assets.  We provide flexible capital to strengthen under-resourced communities in Upper Manhattan and beyond, facilitating increased job creation, corporate alliances, strategic investments, and small business assistance.  We have invested more than $250 million in real estate projects, leveraging over $1.5 billion in private capital investments into the neighborhoods that we serve.  This commitment funding has created nearly 12,000 direct jobs thus far.

This position is a critical role as UMEZ implements our expansion and growth strategy which includes building a larger loan portfolio with borrowers across New York City. We provide working capital and real estate financing to small businesses, developers, and nonprofit organizations.  Our financing helps local small businesses, such as restaurants, bakeries, retail stores, and professional services, expand operations.  It has helped real estate developers and nonprofit organizations construct and renovate buildings for a range of community needs including office and retail space, and community services.

In addition, our grantmaking programs strengthen the capacity and stability of workforce development and arts & culture nonprofit organizations in Upper Manhattan.  Our workforce opportunity investments bolster the workforce development ecosystem in Upper Manhattan, while facilitating economic mobility strategies which support residents’ access to training and employment pathways.  Through our cultural investments, we support arts and cultural organizations and artist-driven projects that help grow the local economy and foster the unique identities of communities across Upper Manhattan.

Summary

Summary:

The Senior Business Development Officer (Senior BDO) is responsible for building a pipeline and portfolio of clients, , including businesses, mission-driven developers, nonprofit organizations and other community-based entities across New York City. This includes developing and implementing an effective market strategy that results in a robust network of referral sources and lending partners, a consistent pipeline of viable transactions, and strong client relationships. It will require conducting outreach and raising awareness about UMEZ’s lending products and expanded markets to a range of stakeholders, business owners, developers, nonprofit leaders, and other partners. In addition, the role requires sufficient financing knowledge to conduct preliminary assessments of possible borrowers, identify appropriate financial products, determine possible risks and mitigants and facilitate the transition of potential deals to the underwriting stage.

Responsibilities

• Conduct market analysis to identify gaps and opportunities for UMEZ’s current and potential products.
• Develop and put into practice a market engagement plan and approach that leads to a steady pipeline of viable transactions that align with UMEZ’s growth strategy.
• Cultivate and manage referral and partner relationships with other financing entities, including CDFIs, associations, and membership organizations across New York City.
• Gather prospective client application information, conduct analysis to assess business operations and financing needs, recommend appropriate UMEZ loan products.
• Work with senior lending officer to ensure the underwriter has all appropriate and required documentation.
• Represent UMEZ at conferences, community meetings, and other events to cultivate community partnerships and promote lending activities; seek out and participate in public speaking opportunities. This may require attendance at events or meetings after typical work hours.
• Assist prospective clients to access appropriate capital by providing one-on-one counseling, referral opportunities, and guidance on credit criteria and loan application process, and strategizing with them to identify and address relevant business development issues.
• Provide guidance to senior management on market needs and contribute to the development of new financial products and terms.

Requirements

5+ years’ commercial lending experience. preferably in community development and with small businesses. Track record of building a transaction pipeline and loan portfolio, evidencing strong business development, networking, and outreach, skills. Solid knowledge of debt financing and acumen for analyzing financial statements, with sufficient attention to detail. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to engage with cultural competency across a diverse group of potential borrowers, existing borrowers, and community partners. Advanced writing and oral presentation skills.

Personal Characteristics An energetic and resourceful person with a strong interest in community engagement. A self-starter; a team player; a strategic thinker; a creative problem solver.

Language Skills  Bi-Lingual, English and Spanish, a plus but not necessary

Education Undergraduate degree in business or a related field

Supervisory Responsibilities  This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Employment Type This is a full-time position

Compensation and Benefits

 

Salary  The salary range for this position is $130,000-145,000, with final compensation based on relevant skills and experience.

Benefits The benefit package includes medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a 401K plan.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should e-mail or mail a resume and cover letter to:

Danessy Pico

Director of Human Resources Operations

55 West 125^th Street, 11^th Floor

New York, New York 10027

[email protected]

Attn: Senior Business Development Officer  

No Phone Calls or Faxes Please