SBA Business Development Officer - Western Region

Job Overview:

As part of Citadel’s continued investment in small business banking, we are expanding our SBA lending platform and seeking an experienced SBA Business Development Officer (BDO) to support our Greater Philadelphia market, including Philadelphia and the surrounding counties within our charter. This role goes beyond traditional SBA origination. The SBA BDO will serve as the regional SBA leader and subject matter expert, responsible for both originating SBA opportunities externally and activating SBA production across Citadel’s internal network. Success in this role requires the ability to influence outcomes through strong partnerships, consistent engagement with internal teams, and proactive market development. From the beginning, this role will require a balanced focus on externally sourced opportunities and internally generated referrals, working across Citadel’s retail branches, business banking teams, business development managers, and call center to identify and develop SBA lending opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:

The SBA Business Development Officer is responsible for originating SBA loans while also leading SBA development efforts across an assigned region.

This position focuses exclusively on SBA lending products, including:

• SBA 7(a)


• SBA 504


• SBA Express Lines of Credit

In addition to generating new SBA opportunities externally, the BDO will actively partner with internal Citadel teams to identify and develop SBA opportunities originating from within the credit union.

These internal partners include:

• Business Banking Relationship Managers (BBRMs)


• Commercial Relationship Managers (CRMs)


• Business Development Managers (BDMs)


• Retail branch teams


• Citadel’s call center and inbound member channels

The SBA BDO will help train, guide, and support internal teams in identifying SBA opportunities and structuring transactions appropriately. Production goals will include both externally sourced deals and internally generated opportunities developed through Citadel’s network.

This is a hybrid role requiring significant in-market presence, including working from a Citadel office, branch location, or client meetings at least four out of five days each week.

Key Responsibilities

SBA Production & Market Development

• Originate and close $20MM+ annually in SBA 7(a), 504, and Express lending.


• Develop and maintain a strong external referral network including CPAs, brokers, attorneys, consultants, and other business advisors.


• Proactively identify SBA opportunities across the regional market.

Internal Partnership & Regional Support

• Serve as the regional SBA product expert for internal teams.


• Partner closely with Business Banking Relationship Managers (BBRMs), Commercial Relationship Managers (CRMs), Business Development Managers (BDMs), retail teams, and call center leadership to identify SBA opportunities.


• Help educate and train internal teams on SBA products, eligibility, and structuring strategies.


• Support the development and execution of SBA business development strategies within the assigned region.

Branch Engagement & Referral Development

• Visit assigned branches regularly, with the expectation of visiting each covered branch at least twice per month.


• Build strong relationships with branch leadership and frontline staff to encourage SBA referral activity.


• Provide guidance to internal teams on structuring SBA opportunities and positioning solutions for members.

Deal Structuring & Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with Credit, Operations, LSPs, and CDC partners to structure and close SBA transactions.


• Maintain full fluency in SBA SOP requirements and ensure transactions are structured appropriately from initial engagement through closing.


• Partner with Relationship Managers who will maintain the long-term client relationship after closing.

Qualifications and Education:

• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in business development, with a strong understanding of credit analysis, and risk management.


• Demonstrated history of $20MM+ annual SBA production.


• Deep knowledge of SBA 7(a), 504, and Express programs.


• Experience working with Lender Service Providers (LSPs) and Certified Development Companies (CDCs).


• Strong credit acumen and SBA structuring experience.


• Proven ability to build relationships both internally and externally.


• Ability to influence outcomes through collaboration and consistent engagement.


• Comfortable operating in a hybrid role with regular in-market presence.


• This position will be working in our Western Region branches:  Phoenixville, Eagle, Chester Springs, Thorndale, South Coatesville, Parkesburg, Lancaster- Rohrerstown Road, and Lancaster-Granite Run Drive.

Performance Measurements

Performance is based on the Citadel corporate scorecard as well as departmental and individual goals.

Work Environment

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 the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.