Business Development Officer

WHO We Are :

Self-Help started in 1980 with a focus on economic inequality especially in communities that have faced systemic barriers in building wealth.

At the core of what Self-Help does is a drive to create and protect ownership and economic opportunity. In other words, we’re committed to economic justice! Economic Justice means that all communities have the basic infrastructure they need to thrive, from high quality schools to grocery stores selling fresh foods resources that support opportunity at a neighborhood level regardless of demographics, income, or wealth.

Since our founding, we’ve constantly sought to find new ways to pursue greater economic justice : from providing fair and affordable loans, to working with partners to demand that lawmakers change unjust policies.

We are seeking a Business Development Officer to focus on the greater Chicago market to join our team!

This candidate will value building relationships with referral sources, potential borrowers, and teammates to generate commercial lending opportunities that impact under-resourced communities of color in the greater Chicago area.

Come join Self-Help’s national Commercial Lending team! We are looking for motivated colleagues who embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as a collaborative workplace where everyone feels valued especially our customers.

The Business Development Officer (BDO) will source a variety of for-profit and non-profit commercial loans that have broad economic impact (, small business, commercial real estate, nonprofit facilities, and multifamily housing).

A successful candidate will have a background in business development and marketing, commercial and small business lending and analyzing credit, and project management, with a focus on teamwork and a commitment to customer service.

A senior position may be available based on experience.

WHAT You'll DO :

• Build effective, long-term relationships with referral sources and potential borrowers through in person and online meetings, presentations on varied financial topics, and other forms of outreach communication.
• Coordinate marketing activities with Self-Help Federal Credit Union branches and Commercial Lending team to expand awareness of Self-Help’s commercial lending products in the greater Chicago market.
• Collaborate with other Chicago lending teammates on state-wide strategic objectives.
• Assess loan requests, including an overview analysis of financial statements and management capacity, to ensure prospective borrowers are a good fit with Self-Help’s credit and mission standards.
• Provide excellent customer service, including prompt responses, basic technical assistance, and referrals to other technical assistance providers, as appropriate.

WHAT You’ll NEED :

Bachelors degree or equivalent and 5 years of related experience in commercial lending, finance, community development, or real estate development.

OR equivalent related experience.

• Established business referral networks and collaborative relationships with organizational allies.
• High level of emotional intelligence in support of a collaborative work culture.
• Ability to adapt to expanding markets in the greater Chicago area.
• Quantitative and credit analysis skills and attention to detail to provide initial assessment of credit requests and make sound recommendations.
• Excellent interpersonal, written / verbal communication, and project management skills.
• Fluent in English and Spanish is a plus.
• Ability to prioritize competing tasks to effectively manage workload.
• Willingness to travel throughout the market to meet referral sources and potential borrowers and periodically to Self-Help's Durham, North Carolina headquarters.
• If you are interested in who we are and what we do; have a strong desire to work in an organization that places a high priority on teamwork and collaboration;

and are interested in working to help create economic opportunity for all THIS is the place for you! Click the apply now button to apply!

Compensation :

Competitive nonprofit compensation, based on experience, plus a generous benefits package.

Self-Help is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression (including transgender status), age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, class or family status.