Director, Business Finance Center

Director, Business Finance Center

The George Mason University, Mason Enterprise Center, is seeking a Director, Business Finance Center for its Community Business Partnership (CBP) program. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

About the Department:

The Community Business Partnership (CBP) is an independent not-for-profit corporation and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that is part of George Mason University’s Mason Enterprise Center under the Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Impact. Located in Springfield, Virginia, the CBP’s mission is to provide financing and technical assistance to those seeking to start and build successful small businesses.

About the Position:

The Director is responsible for leading and managing the organization to maintain developing business lending opportunities while managing a portfolio of business loans.

CBP is seeking an entrepreneurially minded individual who can build on previous efforts to expand the CBP’s financial products and services.

This position reports to the Senior Director of Entrepreneurship Programs, Mason Enterprise, and works closely with the CBP Board of Directors and staff to meet the overall CBP objectives and serve the needs of low-income, socially disadvantaged communities.

Responsibilities:

Administration

• Provide strategic direction to ensure the organization continually works towards its mission, maintain financial stability, and provide quality services to clients;
• Position CBP within the region and state as a premier provider of small business financing and technical assistance;
• Represent the organization to George Mason University, funders and sponsors, and local and state economic development stakeholders;
• Work with the CBP Board of Directors to ensure the CBP’s strategic objectives are aligned;
• Oversee CBP’s financial management, financial reporting, and preparation of accounts;
• Oversee business operations, including website updates, marketing efforts, and social media accounts for both CBP and BFC;
• Represent CBP and BFC in networking and other business gatherings; and
• Work with other directors of the Mason Enterprise Network, including the SBDC, WBC, MEC incubators to identify and apply for additional funds to both capitalize the Center’s revolving loan fund, as well as support the Center’s operations.

Lending and Portfolio Management

• Hire, supervise, and mentor staff; develops and prioritizes budgets;
• Collect initial information and conduct initial interview with potential clients;
• Gather required information and documents needed for qualified decision-making;
• Develop key relationships with commercial bankers and other lenders in order to make appropriate referrals, develop new products and services, and create working relationships for future deals and bank loan opportunities;
• Market revolving loan products to the CBP’s CDFI designated target markets;
• Meet with potential clients to review loan request and business goals/finances;
• Analyze and underwrite each loan request; determine risk and identify any loan conditions;
• Write the credit memo, providing recommendations for approval or other action as required by policies using business underwriting best practices;
• Work with legal counsel to develop closing documents if approved, or to prepare required documentation if denied;
• Maintain working relationship with clients who have loans to ensure compliance with loan requirements and minimize loan losses;
• Review financial and tax information and have regular contact with the client;
• Conduct periodic on-site visits for all businesses in the loan portfolio to review accounts and ensure adherence to loan agreements and terms;
• Take appropriate action, as necessary, to ensure loan compliance. Arrange for any technical assistance needed by the client during the life of the loan;
• Willingness to undertake collections, reduce delinquencies, and aggressively manage workout situations;
• Ensure that all necessary information is included in the business lending database and prepare reports as needed;
• Research routine account problems of portfolio clients and coordinate problem resolution; and
• Complete required reports and other documentation necessary to maintain the CBP’s CDFI designation.

Required Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in business, finance, economics, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Demonstrated leadership experience with a CDFI or equivalent community based non-profit organization;
• Demonstrated knowledge or experience in commercial business loan analysis and underwriting, collections, managing loan portfolios, sustainable lending practices, and loan portfolio maintenance;
• Demonstrated knowledge of US Treasury CDFI regulatory and compliance issues and a history of capitalizing loan products;
• Flexible and ability to multi-task;
• Ability to work within an ambitious, fast-moving entrepreneurial environment while also working toward clarity and solutions;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and independently to analyze and solve problems;
• Ability to maintain high ethics and confidentiality with respect to borrowers, colleagues, and the public at large;
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience using business lending software, Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) without administrative support; and
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to read and speak Spanish; and
• Prefer five to seven years of demonstrated experience in the lending industry.

Special Instructions to Applicants  

For full consideration, applicants must apply for position number FA15Hz at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.