Rural LISC seeks a Senior Program Officer for Rural Lending to play a pivotal role in expanding lending opportunities, providing technical assistance, raising capital, forging business development opportunities, and creating and maintaining key partnerships. Rural LISC maintains a diverse and high-performing portfolio of loans for affordable housing, community facilities, and small business development. This position will report directly to the Rural LISC Director.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Serve as the primary business developer and originator of loans for all Rural LISC product areas, including economic development, affordable housing and community facilities.
- Underwrite lending transactions including, acquisition loans, predevelopment loans, construction loans, mini-permanent and permanent loans, bridge financing for new and existing affordable housing projects, including projects focused on decarbonizing housing units, and community facility and small business loans.
- Perform credit analysis, including analyzing borrower financial and operating performance, project financial performance, borrower management capacity, and project feasibility. Provide technical assistance to borrowers and prospective borrowers.
- Conduct due diligence and financial analysis, draft credit memoranda, present loans to credit committee, manage closing process with counsel, and work with Asset Management on post-closing borrower and project management.
- Collaborate with LISC’s Green Homes program staff on lending products focused on affordable housing decarbonization projects through high-performance green construction as part of LISC’s recent federal Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund grant from the EPA.
- Prepare reports and presentations for investors, funders and other stakeholders as needed.
- Create content and strategic messaging regarding the impact of LISC’s lending and investment activity and otherwise support Rural LISC’s communications channels and strategies.
- Coordinate with LISC Legal, Lending and Asset Management to grow and manage the Rural LISC loan portfolio.
- Maintain relationships and communicate with LISC affiliates NEF, Broadstreet, and Strategic Investments to promote rural investments and collaboration.
- Provide technical assistance around financing and strategy to partner CDCs as they develop and support local and regional economic development efforts, including broadband pre-dev, small business capital, downtown revitalization strategies, affordable housing financing and financing for key community facilities projects.
- Provide support to other Rural LISC team members related to lending and investment in rural communities.
- Maintain external relationships with other lending partners, including for profit or nonprofit financial institutions and local, state, and national governmental programs. Seek and create new relationships to expand Rural LISC lending capacity and opportunities.
- Work with Rural LISC Director, National LISC and other partners to develop new and innovative lending opportunities/programs aimed at expanding the lending footprint and production for Rural LISC.
- Identify and develop new sources of lending capital to support Rural LISC lending in current and new markets.
- Participate in national lending policy opportunities and provide feedback to National Policy team on federal/state programs that directly impact Rural LISC.
- Provide support and input for the Rural Advisory Committee loan review process.
- Assist the Vice President and the Leadership team in achieving and exceeding National and Rural LISC Lending goals and objectives.
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required; or relevant related work experience can be used as a proxy. Master’s degree in real estate, finance, public administration or related field preferred.
- At least five (5) years of related work experience in community development lending, financial services, community development or related field. CDFI experience and/or subject matter expertise is strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of financing products such as predevelopment, acquisition, construction, bridge and permanent loans; lines of credit; tax credit programs, and equity investment.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple, complex transactions and programs at various stages and coordinate with multiple internal & external parties to meet approval and closing deadlines.
- Proven skills in financial analysis and underwriting. Ability to evaluate financial statements. Past lending experience required.
- Familiarity with rural economic development financing programs across a broad range of resources including, regional, state and federal programs, to include Small Business, USDA, EDA, LIHTC and NMTC. Experience in developing and implementing projects in rural areas utilizing layered financing with local, state and federal programs preferred.
- Extensive knowledge of non-profit program management and organizational development.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across the LISC network of local and national programs and LISC affiliates.
- Ability to work collaboratively with others. Flexibility and poise in dealing with a diverse range of individuals and organizations.
- Comfort and adaptability working on a “virtual” team, collaborating and communicating with staff both in-person and remotely (e.g. via phone, e-mail, webinar, etc)
- Working knowledge of the economic, political, and social environments in rural communities and experience working with local, state, tribal and federal government programs and agencies, around affordable housing, nonprofit organizations, and community development efforts strongly preferred.
- Ability to communicate through verbal and written methods, with research, analysis and relationship skills.
- Experience reviewing datasets for quality and analyzing data for trends required.
- Solution-oriented individual who is self-directed, and able to successfully balance multiple priorities and programs.
- Commitment to accuracy, attention to detail, timely reporting, and deadlines.
- Effectively manage multiple tasks and projects and prioritize a challenging workload.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite required. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Salesforce, Form Assembly, Smartsheet, and other database systems preferred.
- Work effectively on a “virtual” team, collaborating and communicating with staff both in-person and remotely (e.g. via phone, e-mail, webinar, etc.) is essential.
- This position will involve travel approx. 30% annually.
COMPENSATION:
LISC provides a competitive salary ($91,800 - $114,800) commensurate with experience and location and excellent fringe benefits for this position.
