Reports to: Director of Sustainable Food Systems Program
FLSA status: Exempt
Major responsibilities/accountabilities
- Cultivate relationships with producers, business owners, and others to develop lending opportunities to farm and food businesses in New Hampshire and New England.
- In coordination with the business lending team, respond to loan inquiries, identify eligible applicants, and work with prospective borrowers to collect the necessary Information to evaluate an applicant’s capacity to repay debt to grow or stabilize operations.
- Help determine which loan prospects should advance to full underwriting and structure loan terms and conditions that meet the applicant’s needs and further the mission of the Community Loan Fund.
- Assist in preparing written credit memos that clearly articulate the strengths and risks of loan applications.
- Actively manage borrower relationships through regular communication. Support non-performing loans with a relationship-based approach.
- Develop working partnerships with other New England agriculture and food system organizations, including lenders, business advisors, and agricultural support services, in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
- Track opportunities for leveraging capital flows into the region to support farm and food businesses, such as grant funding and infrastructure or real estate investments.
- Participate in New Hampshire and New England strategic initiatives to guide the long-term development of the region’s food system.
- Attend regional and national conferences and events to promote the work of the Community Loan Fund to food systems audiences.
- Assist in developing grant proposals to support expanded program operations and loan capitalization.
Education and experience
- At least five years of relevant professional experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Relevant experience may include farm or food system advisory services, lending, or business ownership or management. We encourage alternative relevant professional backgrounds to apply.
- Professional experience and/or coursework demonstrating an understanding of the agriculture and food sectors, especially in New England, and the systems in which they operate. Relevant experience may include work with cooperative extension, university programs, small business development centers, and nonprofit organizations.
- Professional experience or coursework demonstrating proficiency with standard terms, tools, and methodologies for evaluating credit risk is preferred.
- Professional experience or course work in commercial financial analysis demonstrating proficiency in reading and analyzing financial statements is preferred.
- Experience managing a goal-oriented group process, such as organizing presentations or stakeholder events is preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and OneNote.
Qualifications and characteristics
- Commitment to the mission and values of the Community Loan Fund and its efforts to support regenerative agriculture and food systems.
- Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively in writing.
- Organized and responsive with strong follow-through, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- High degree of self-motivation, independence, and self-direction, and adept at working collaboratively across teams.
- Have a growth mindset and be open to coaching feedback.
- Familiarity with standard business lending processes and procedures.
- Must maintain high ethics and professionalism with respect to partners, borrowers, colleagues, and the public at large when representing the Community Loan Fund.
- Absolute commitment to protecting confidentiality.
- Availability to work and travel for occasional evening and weekend meetings.
- This position requires extensive travel throughout New England. Candidate must possess a valid driver’s license.
Physical demands
The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hand to finger, handle, and reach with hands and arms above shoulder height, stoop, kneel, and crouch. Specific vision abilities required in this job include the ability to adjust focus between near and far.
- Ability to answer telephones and use standard office equipment (copier, fax, etc.).
- Ability to read, write, and understand and speak English clearly.
- Ability to use a computer for Community Loan Fund business.
- Ability to drive for extended periods, both day and night.
- Ability to walk for extended periods on various terrains.
- Ability to lift at least five pounds.
Work environment
We are a team of creative thinkers and problem solvers. We love creating new opportunities and solutions for our neighbors to succeed. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be in an environment with a noise level that is usually moderate.
Employment Details
- Location: Concord, NH and hybrid (in office Tuesday and Wednesday; training will be in person)
- Salary range: $85,000 - $100,000