Program Officer, Knox Good Food Fund

About KCDC

For nearly 90 years, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) has invested in affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization, and community development. KCDC believes strong neighborhoods require more than housing. They require access to opportunity.

Today, KCDC is expanding that commitment by developing community investment tools that increase access to capital, strengthen local businesses, and create pathways to opportunity for entrepreneurs and underserved communities.

About the Knox Good Food Fund

The Knox Good Food Fund is a mission-driven revolving loan fund designed to expand access to flexible capital for food retailers and food enterprises serving Knoxville and Knox County.

The Fund will combine responsible lending with access to technical assistance and other forms of support to help food businesses start, grow, and strengthen the regional food economy. It is being developed through a partnership among KCDC, United Way of Greater Knoxville, Real Good Kitchen Foundation, financial institutions, and other community partners.

Position Summary

The Program Officer will serve as the primary staff member responsible for coordinating the day-to-day administration of the Knox Good Food Fund. This position will help launch and grow the Fund by expanding access to capital, supporting food entrepreneurs, and strengthening the regional food economy.

During the Fund's launch, the Program Officer will work closely with KCDC leadership and the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA), KCDC's lending consultant, to help develop and implement the Fund's lending framework, policies, underwriting standards, documentation, and operational systems. As the portfolio grows, the Program Officer will coordinate borrower intake, loan applications, credit analysis and underwriting support, loan closings, servicing, portfolio monitoring, and reporting.

The ideal candidate brings practical banking or lending experience and is interested in applying that experience in a community development setting where sound financial practices and community impact are equally important.

Responsibilities

Fund Operations & Lending

• Help launch and administer the Knox Good Food Fund, working with KCDC leadership and CDFA to implement the Fund's lending policies, procedures, underwriting framework, loan documents, and operational systems. 
• Serve as a primary point of contact for prospective and existing borrowers, guiding businesses through financing requirements, applications, documentation, and next steps. 
• Coordinate the lending process from initial inquiry through financial and credit analysis, underwriting support, approval, closing, disbursement, and repayment. 
• Review business financial statements, cash flow, credit information, collateral, and other underwriting materials and prepare complete loan files for review and approval. 

Portfolio, Partnerships & Impact

• Coordinate loan servicing and portfolio monitoring, including payments, borrower reporting, compliance requirements, and identification of emerging concerns. 
• Connect businesses with Real Good Kitchen Foundation or other technical assistance resources when appropriate; technical assistance is available based on borrower need but is not required for financing. 
• Maintain accurate loan and program records and support required financial, federal, funder, and community-impact reporting. 
• Build relationships with financial institutions, food businesses, technical assistance providers, and community partners while supporting outreach and the continued growth of the Fund.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in finance, business administration, accounting, economics, community development, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered. 
• Professional banking or lending experience, with experience in commercial lending, credit analysis, loan administration, or a related area.
• Demonstrated ability to review and understand business financial statements, cash flow, credit information, and other financial documentation. 
• Strong organizational, communication, and relationship-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple transactions and explain financial requirements clearly to business owners with varying levels of financial experience.
• Commitment to responsible lending, excellent borrower service, and KCDC's community development mission. 

Preferred

• Experience in small business or commercial lending, underwriting, credit analysis, or portfolio management. 
• Experience working with small businesses, entrepreneurs, or community-based borrowers. 
• Experience with revolving loan funds, community development finance, CDFIs, economic development lending, or other mission-driven financing programs. 
• Familiarity with loan origination, servicing, and portfolio-management systems. 
• Experience working with public, philanthropic, or federally funded programs. 
• Knowledge of Knoxville and Knox County's small-business or food-business ecosystem.