Business Loan Specialist

Under the direction of the Program Manager and Director of Economic Development, the Business Loan Specialist serves as a trusted financial advisor to entrepreneurs and small business owners by identifying capital needs, developing funding strategies, and facilitating access to financing that supports business growth, sustainability, and job creation. The role focuses on proactive engagement with the small business community, relationship development, business advising, and successfully guiding clients from initial consultation through loan funding. The Business Loan Specialist is expected to cultivate and manage a robust pipeline of businesses while consistently achieving measurable capital infusion outcomes exceeding $1 million annually through traditional, alternative, and government-backed financing programs. This builds on the existing expectation that the role provides loan packaging, business consulting, and financing guidance to small businesses.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Development & Client Engagement

• Proactively identify, recruit, and engage small business owners through outreach, networking, workshops, referrals, and strategic partnerships.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of entrepreneurs seeking access to capital and business growth resources.
• Develop trusted relationships with business owners through ongoing consultation and follow-up, resulting in long-term client engagement.
• Conduct comprehensive business needs assessments to identify financing opportunities and recommend appropriate capital solutions.
• Represent the BusinessSource Center at community events, lender forums, resource fairs, and business networking events to expand visibility and increase client engagement.

Capital Access & Loan Facilitation

• Serve as the primary advisor to business owners throughout the entire lending lifecycle from initial assessment and financial readiness through funding, closing, and post-loan technical assistance.
• Identify and structure financing solutions utilizing conventional bank financing, SBA loan programs, CDFIs, credit unions, microloans, alternative lenders, and public financing resources based on each business's growth objectives.
• Prepare complete lender-ready loan packages, including financial analysis, cash flow projections, debt service calculations, business narratives, and supporting documentation.
• Analyze financial statements, tax returns, credit reports, business plans, and operational performance to evaluate funding readiness and recommend appropriate financing strategies.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with borrowers, lenders, financial institutions, and funding partners to ensure efficient processing, timely funding, and successful loan closings.
• Facilitate a minimum of $1 million annually in business capital infusion while maintaining high- quality client service, compliance, and measurable economic outcomes.
• Leverage capital access as a strategy to support business expansion, sustainability, job creation, and job retention. The Business Loan Specialist is expected to directly contribute to the BusinessSource Center's annual performance goals by generating financing opportunities that result in business growth and independently achieving at least 50% of the Center's annual job creation and retention targets.
• Monitor funded businesses through post-closing technical assistance to help clients successfully deploy capital, strengthen operations, retain existing jobs, and create new employment opportunities.

Relationship Management

• Establish and strengthen strategic relationships with banks, SBA lenders, CDFIs, credit unions, economic development partners, and alternative financing organizations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact throughout the funding process while providing exceptional client service.
• Identify opportunities for repeat financing, expansion capital, equipment financing, working capital, and commercial real estate lending.

Business Consulting, Training & Education

• Provide one-on-one business consulting and facilitate workshops focused on financial management, business planning, capital readiness, cash flow management, credit improvement, and sustainable business growth.
• Develop customized action plans that strengthen business operations, improve financial readiness, and position entrepreneurs for successful financing opportunities.
• Educate business owners on available funding resources, lending products, financing strategies, and lender expectations to increase access to capital.
• Design and deliver educational workshops that empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed financial decisions, build lender confidence, and support long- term business success.
• Collaborate with community partners, financial institutions, and resource organizations to expand educational opportunities and connect businesses to technical assistance, capital resources, and economic development programs.

 QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in commercial lending, SBA lending, CDFI lending, business banking, loan underwriting, business finance, or alternative financing.
• Demonstrated success facilitating business financing transactions with measurable outcomes, including capital infusion and business growth.
• Strong knowledge of business planning, financial analysis, cash flow projections, credit analysis, loan underwriting, and business financing programs.
• Experience advising and supporting small businesses through various stages of growth while building trusted relationships with entrepreneurs, lenders, and community partners.
• Knowledge of conventional financing, SBA loan programs, CDFIs, microloans, lines of credit, commercial real estate financing, equipment financing, and alternative capital resources.
• Proven ability to manage multiple financing opportunities, prioritize competing deadlines, and work independently while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills with a strong commitment to customer service and client success.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), CRM platforms, and cloud-based applications.
• Experience working within economic development, entrepreneurship, or small business assistance programs is highly desirable.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Valid California Driver's License, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel throughout the BusinessSource service area and work occasional evenings or weekends as needed.
• This is not a work from home position. This role reports to the office 5 days a week. 

BENEFITS

CRCD is in the top 10% for excellent benefits for non-profits with an array of benefits available including:

• 14 Paid Holidays
• On-Demand training memberships to bolster professional development
• Dental/Vision/ 85% employer-paid & 45% dependent paid Medical Insurance
• 401k eligibility from day one & up to 3% matching after one year
• 529 Educational Savings Plan from Principle
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Accident & Hospital Indemnity
• Whole life insurance with cash benefits
• Identity Theft Protection and Legal Services
• Discount pet insurance through ASPCA
• Generous work/life balance

JOB TYPE: Full-time

SALARY RANGE: $75,000-$88,000

All candidates are subject to a criminal history check and meet CRCD’s criteria regarding criminal history and must pass background check conducted by LA County. CRCD is an Equal Opportunity Employer is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of 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), and sexual orientation. Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the EEO/ADA Coordinator. EEO /ADA Coordinator contact: Stacey Cabling (213) 743-6193.