Business Development Officer

San Francisco / Oakland
February 2024

THE OPPORTUNITY

Community Vision’s Capital Solutions team provides loans emphasizing achieving greater racial and economic equity. Our borrowers have used our financing to develop affordable housing, build and acquire community facilities, create economic development projects, support access to healthy foods, and strengthen their operations to make a difference in the lives of the communities they serve.

The Business Development Officer (BDO) identifies and cultivates new lending opportunities that align with Community Vision’s mission and business objectives. They will have two primary responsibilities: first, to develop relationships with organizations that can refer borrowers in need of financing, and second, to work closely with potential borrowers to understand their needs, determine a fit with Community Vision’s offerings, and structure the terms of a potential loan.

At Community Vision, we approach business development through long-term partnership building rather than transactional relationships.

All employees are expected to engage with and support a collaborative culture at Community Vision. This includes treating colleagues with respect, supporting the vision of the organization, and demonstrating the professional practices of the organization, which are community-centered, patient, communication, work ethic, responsiveness, consciousness of difference, humility and curiosity, humor, creativity, practicality, accountability, and data-driven.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

  • Identify and form new relationships with organizations that are deeply committed to the type of work Community Vision seeks to support, and that may be capable of referring potential borrowers to Community Vision
  • Maintain ongoing relationships with lead-generating partners through regular communication. Provide partners with follow-up information on the outcome of any referrals.
  • Attend and speak at various conferences and community development events to both represent and promote the work of Community Vision, and to learn about emerging needs and industry standards that Community Vision should consider.
  • Collect input from partner organizations to inform Community Vision’s understanding of our marketplace and our development of new lending products and services.
  • Conduct initial screening calls with prospective borrowers to identify needs and determine fit for Community Vision’s capital products and services.
  • Conduct initial due diligence on prospective borrowers, including spreading and analysis of historical financial statements.
  • In consultation with senior staff, structure prospective loans: determine appropriate loan type, repayment term, rate and fees, collateral, guarantors, and other loan terms.
  • Write and present written analysis of prospective loans , for approval to move to underwriting.
  • Lead negotiations with prospective borrowers to ensure that Community Vision earns their business.
  • Conduct handoff meetings with loan underwriters to ensure a smooth transition from business development to credit analysis.
  • Communicate any declines in a respectful way, providing referrals to other lenders or technical assistance providers where possible.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Ideal qualifications

  • BA or BS degree with a minimum of 5+ years’ experience with loan production or relationship management in community development or commercial real estate lendingAbility to build relationships of trust with a broad range people and organizations, particularly those who have been historically excluded from formal financial marketsDemonstrated ability to manage multiple negotiations and a workload that varies with customer needs
  • Strong financial analysis and underwriting skills
  • A high degree of professionalism, demonstrating accuracy, timeliness, and teamwork
  • Excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills
  • Strong collaborator with colleagues and ability to work effectively in a cooperative and diverse environment
  • An entrepreneurial spirit, and a strong commitment to work in community development
  • Direct experience lending to nonprofit community-based business and organizations
  • Understanding of and experience with real estate lending, including predevelopment, acquisition, construction, and permanent financing
  • Familiarity with New Markets Tax Credits, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, State Small Business Loan Guarantee Programs is a plus

MORE ABOUT THE POSITION

The Business Development Officer is a full-time exempt position.  This position reports to the Director of Lending.  The salary for this position is between $84,975 – $108,150 annually, depending on experience.  Benefits include: 100% health insurance premium coverage for employees and a contribution towards dependent coverage, dental insurance, long-term disability and life insurance, transportation and cell phone subsidies, employer contributions towards retirement savings, three weeks’ vacation, and a commitment to work/life balance. Occasional evenings and out of area travel may be necessary.  Position involves regular computer and telephone use plus some minimal lifting.

Send resume and cover letter via email to jobs@communityvisionca.org. Subject line should read: Business Development Officer. Cover letters should discuss your interest in the position and in working at Community Vision. Position will remain open until filled.

For more information on our programs and services, please visit our website at: communityvisionca.org

Community Vision is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing applicants and employees with a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at Community Vision are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations where we operate. Community Vision will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics and encourages applicants with these characteristics to apply.