Chicago, Illinois, United States · Hybrid
$50k–$55k/yr
Description Organization Allies for Community Business believes that entrepreneurs from any background can start and grow businesses that create wealth for their families and communities. A4CB provides the capital, coach…
Skills: Spanish Proficiency, Small Business Lending, Community Development, Client Service, Small Business Coaching
Chicago, Illinois, United States • Hybrid
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The Community Lender identifies and supports community businesses by providing loans, grants, and referrals to business coaches. They are responsible for sourcing new entrepreneurs, assessing their needs, and documenting growth plans to help businesses create wealth.
Applicants must have professional working proficiency in Spanish (reading, writing, and speaking) and strong communication and organizational skills. Experience in community development, small business lending, or coaching is preferred.
Description
Allies for Community Business believes that entrepreneurs from any background can start and grow businesses that create wealth for their families and communities. A4CB provides the capital, coaching, and connections entrepreneurs need to grow great businesses in their communities.
The Community Lender is a salaried, exempt position that reports to the Director of Community Lending. A Community Lender is responsible for finding community businesses to serve and then helping those entrepreneurs grow their businesses by listening, assessing, responding, and documenting how A4CB can help. At this time, A4CB seeks to hire a bilingual (Spanish) Community Lender.
· Provide loans and grants to the budgeted number of unique community businesses each month
· Fund the budgeted amount of capital to the businesses you serve each month
· Refer community businesses to our Business Coaches as appropriate
· Provide excellent service to early, emerging, and established community businesses by doing the following.
- Find entrepreneurs to serve, in partnership with the Director of Community Lending and Chief Lending & Credit Officer
- Listen to what entrepreneurs are attempting to accomplish with their businesses and what they would like us to do to help
- Assess how we might help, by applying a detailed understanding of our approach to providing capital (loans and grants), coaching (1-on-1 and in groups), and connections (licensing, kitchen space, and procurement) to what the entrepreneurs are seeking
- Identify prospects to host webinar presentations and in-person events
- Attend in-person events with strategic banking and community partners
- Source new referral partners and engage with existing partners including in-person meetings, webinars and networking events
- Respond with a proposed approach to help grow the business, and then support the entrepreneurs by referring to coaching to achieve the milestones they are striving to reach
- Document the entrepreneurs’ stories, our assistance to date, and our plan for providing additional support in the future
- Resolve issues resulting from tensions between community business expectations and A4CB policies and constraints with clarity and empathy
· Work from the A4CB office and/or attend events at least twice weekly (in office each Wednesday; in office to assist clients with walk-in inquiries; and on other days as agreed upon with the Director of Community Lending)
· Perform other duties flexibly and creatively as needs arise, including translation of documents from English to Spanish
Requirements
For this position, qualified applicants will have at least a Professional Working Proficiency in Spanish; this includes reading, writing, and speaking in Spanish.
A4CB requires its staff to:
· Solve problems creatively
· Manage time efficiently
· Attend to details meticulously
· Communicate effectively in writing and verbally
· Collaborate flexibly with colleagues in a diverse and changing environment
· Believe strongly in A4CB’s vision and mission
The Community Lender may have experience in:
· Community development
· Small business lending
· Small business coaching
· Client service
A4CB values transparency and efficiency in the hiring process. If the salary range specified in this job posting does not meet your financial needs, we encourage you to continue your search until you find a role that is a better fit. The salary range for this position is $50,000 – $55,000, commensurate with experience and skills. A4CB offers generous medical and dental insurance plans; offers a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan (with employer match); and provides excellent paid time off to its employees. A4CB is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals experiencing disability, BIPOC, and individuals with diverse backgrounds and/or work experiences are encouraged to apply.
Studies have shown that women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, individuals experiencing disability, and BIPOC are less likely to apply for a job unless they meet every qualification. If you’re excited about this role, believe you’d be a good fit for A4CB, and would accept an offer within the salary range included in this job posting, we encourage you to apply.
Supporting Small Businesses. Strengthening Communities.
Allies for Community Business (A4CB) provides the capital, coaching, and connections entrepreneurs need to grow great businesses that create jobs and wealth in their communities.
Offices: 135 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60612, US
Supporting Small Businesses. Strengthening Communities.
Allies for Community Business (A4CB) provides the capital, coaching, and connections entrepreneurs need to grow great businesses that create jobs and wealth in their communities.
Offices: 135 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60612, US
