Community Revitalization Program Officer

Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Bemidji MN

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation is one of the six Minnesota Initiative Foundations (MIFs) established by the McKnight Foundation in 1986 to assist Minnesota’s rural regions during the farm crisis in the 1980s. As the region’s MIF and the only community foundation in the region, NMF has been serving the vast nonprofit community in northwest Minnesota for more than 30 years.

NMF provides grants and loans to organizations and small businesses that have offices located within the 12-county region and the two tribal nations. Since its founding, NMF has invested millions to help make the region a better place to live and work. 

Position Description

The Community Revitalization Program Officer position is accountable for assisting loan applicants with business planning, loan applications, and loan closings. This position will provide technical assistance and monitor loan payments, insurance, and progress indicators. This includes coordinating data with lending sources, collecting evaluation data, ensuring compliance with funding sources.

Duties & Responsibilities

• You will focus on originating and servicing small business loans in amounts greater than $50,000, and which loans may involve the purchase of real estate and may be complex.
• You will work with loan applicants providing guidance on business planning and loan applications, processing loan applications through the loan committee decision and coordinate loan closings. 
• You will provide technical assistance to borrowers and monitor loan payments, insurance, and other progress indicators on the loans.  
• You will originate small business loans by marketing NMF loan programs to banks, other regional lending partners, and potential applicants.
• You will coordinate data and assist with compiling reports to lending sources, including but not limited to the Small Business Administration, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, CDFI Fund, USDA, and others. 
• You will coordinate the collection of evaluation data and follow up data related to program activities with Community Revitalization team members and other NMF Staff. 
• You are responsible for all other duties as assigned.

What success looks like:

• You nurture a culture of high operational excellence and lead others in the organization through your example of courteousness, prompt resolutions, and answers to inquiries and requests from external and internal sources. You will be a person who is curious about the organization and the region we serve and seeks to know the breadth and depth of the organization in order to better serve our communities. 
• You are a person who has the ability to set/lead virtual and/or in-person meetings involving lending and business development projects and engage key stakeholders. 
• You are an individual with a strong financial analysis aptitude and thrive on expanding your financial analysis abilities and the practical application of business development concepts.     
• You excel at performing multiple and varied tasks with efficiency, prioritization, clear communication, and accuracy. You work well in a team-first approach.  You are a collaborator with a strong ability to assemble team members as needed to plan and complete an economic development related project. 
• You are a person who values and appreciates the business sector in northwest Minnesota, and strive to assist business owners with relevant, practical guidance and coaching, adapting your techniques to fit the needs of your customers.  
• The Northwest Minnesota Foundation is committed to growing a fair and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. 
• You are a person that will embrace opportunities to develop and grow in your skills to strengthen Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Foundation and for our region.

Obligations

Ownership of:

• Regional Loan & Investment loan program

Will collaborate in:

• SBA Microloan program
• Delivery of loans and technical assistance to businesses in northwest Minnesota   
• Other Community Revitalization and NMF initiatives and activities

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or related field. 

Preferred:

• Proficiency in technology and/or cloud-based computer systems
• Four years of experience with small business lending, including working and communicating directly with applicants, preferred. 
• National Development Council certification as an Economic Development Finance Professional desirable. 
• Basic mathematical and/or underwriting skills
• Organizational skills with an ability to focus on details.
• Ability to function in a team relationship.
• Passion for the mission of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation.

Job Information

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation follows an equal opportunity employment policy and employs personnel without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, pregnancy, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status. This policy applies to hiring, wages, internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, and terminations.

• This position offers a competitive salary (minimum $48,200 to a maximum of $80,400), commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• The primary location for this position may be a remote home office located in the twelve counties, or two tribal nations served by the Foundation. A successful individual in this position will spend adequate time in person at our Bemidji offices to foster collaboration and effective team building.
• This position may require travel locally, regionally, state-wide, and potentially nationally.