Business Support Officer (Pre-Loan)

Business Support Officer (Pre-Loan)

Organization Description: CommunityWorks is a non-profit certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and an SBA micro lender committed to building financial equity by providing resources that support small business growth, entrepreneurship, affordable housing and homeownership. Collectively, our programs, expertise and partnerships help build stronger and more just communities.

For over 16 years, CW has created opportunities for people, communities, and entrepreneurs in the Upstate community and throughout South Carolina, with a focus on people and communities of color. Our programs focus on equitable access to financial coaching, connections with one-on-one business coaching, access to loans to build small business, develop affordable housing, and building credit and assets. Since our inception, CW has served over 9,276 clients and has generated over $403 million in local economic impact.

Equity and social responsibilites are key values within CommunityWorks. We are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive, equitable working environment for our staff. We believe every member of our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver solutions.

Position Summary: The Business Support Officer is responsible for providing effective business coaching to current and aspiring entrepreneurs as they prepare for credit opportunities. A successful candidate will be able to guide entrepreneurs in developing a personal financial statement, business income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, business financial projections, financial analysis, and other items needed in pursuit of capital access opportunities. The Business Support Officer provides trusted guidance during the loan application process to prepare entrepreneurs to submit a high-quality loan application package. The Business Support Officer reports to the Business Support Program Director but will work closely with the lending team to provide coaching and capacity building technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners, which includes but not limited to developing business, preparing loan applications, and providing resources and information on how to start or grow businesses and access lending opportunities. Business Support Officers are provided with tools and templates to use with clients and are also encouraged to bring their unique set of skills and resources to their work, while following CommunityWorks policies and protocols.

A successful candidate will have a strong understanding of business accounting, ability to use spreadsheets and their basic functions, and a demonstrated history of working with small businesses. A successful coach will have a deep understanding of the unique needs of small business owners through a variety of work and life experiences, possess strong financial acumen for personal household budgeting and business financial statements, and be solutions oriented in researching and finding tools to support the diverse needs of the entrepreneurs they’re coaching.

An ideal candidate will have previous professional experience in business coaching, working in or for a small business, and/or held a variety of roles in a financial institution. The coach will enjoy building relationships and engaging with people from widely varied backgrounds, thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, understand the unique challenges of start-up businesses, and have a commitment to inclusive responsibilities for equal opportunity for all.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Responds to entrepreneurs needing additional support in creating application documents for business capital access

· Assist clients in preparing loan documents for CW loan programs with a focus on business income statements and projections, business plan narratives, project budgets, personal expense worksheets, and personal financial statements

· Provide solutions to entrepreneurs in response to identified needs including research, advising, training, and education in specific, functional areas of small business development such as business formation, business planning, marketing, sales, financing, and other small business issues and challenges

· Assist with personal budgeting for entrepreneurs.

· Aid entrepreneurs when working through a business plan or canvas

· Have a working knowledge of credit reports and the ability to walk clients through their report's contents.

· Develop and deliver engaging educational content for webinars and workshops, including written materials and presentations for CW lending and support programs

· Recommend and develop business tools and resources

· Make community connections for businesses and nonprofits that need additional technical assistance resources available from other agencies.

· Work with clients on understanding bank statements, helping with co-mingling of funds and finding income/expenses

· Educate clients on profit and loss statements

· Actively participate in business development activities including workshops, community events, and other sponsored initiatives

· Regularly performs site‐visits and regular follow‐up with loan applicants.

· Works with the lending departments to support the capital access and business growth goals of entrepreneurs

· Work with other staff to ensure that goals for specific programs, as assigned, are met.

· Coordinate and assist with the development of small-group training program content to potential clients, clients, and borrowers, as appropriate, business tools and resources to increase access to resources for business success

· Provide business support through in-person meetings, email, and virtual platforms.

· Offer group training sessions to potential loan applicants

· Maintain records for grant contracts and activities related to business lending and technical assistance activities – specifically for the SBA Community Navigator Program and SBA Microloan Program.

· Document services provided, and time utilized, according to policies and procedures of CW.

· Collect, track, and enter client impact data in CW’s tracking database

· Provide input on potential new products, processes, and/or trends in the industry.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

· A commitment to CommunityWorks’ mission of serving a diverse population of South Carolina business owners.

· Excellent time management and organizational skills, including an ability to engage in consistent, detailed documentation of work performed.

· Deep knowledge of small business best practices and potential challenges and hazards faced by entrepreneurs.

· Ability to listen empathetically and constructively to business needs expressed by small business owners and staff.

· Ability to convert business needs expressed into action steps to achieve business goals

· Professional history of working with people from diverse backgrounds.

· Must be able to work in the office 4 days a week and virtually work the other weekday.

· Must have a valid SCDL and reliable transportation for visiting clients.

TRAINING, EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

· Minimum of five years of experience in the accounting/financial management field, small business owner, commercial lending, or other relevant entrepreneurial experience.

· Strong financial background, including the ability to understand, interpret, and analyze income statements, balance sheets, and statements of cash flow.

· Proficient in QuickBooks and small business financial documentation and accounting practices.

· Proficiency in using business software applications including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems, Digital Phone and Video Conferencing Systems, and QuickBooks.

· Bachelor's degree related to business or accounting is preferred but not required.

· Experience working in a commercial lending institution is a plus.

Please e-mail your cover letter and resume to careers@cwcarolina.org

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 25 per week

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Evening shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25