Business Support Specialist, Salaam Banking

At Stearns Bank, we’re helping people, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and local communities nationwide reach their full financial potential. Sound like something you want to be a part of? If so, we’re currently looking for a Business Support Specialist, Salaam Banking to join our team! You will be required to work IN-OFFICE at our St. Cloud branch location in Minnesota.

Come see how we’re doing business unusual and charting our own path to reimagine a more inclusive financial services and banking ecosystem for all.

Benefits

Stearns Bank understands and respects that everyone is managing unique career, family, and wellness needs. That’s why we offer industry-leading benefits to employees to help them live healthy lives and bring their full selves to work every day. Benefits may vary for part-time positions. Some of those benefits include:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan & 401k Plan with Employer Match
• Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision, Telehealth, Life insurance)
• 12-week Paid Medical Leave
• Paid Parental Leave: 21-weeks Primary Care Parent, 14-weeks Secondary Care Parent
• $5,000 Family Care Reimbursement: Childcare, Elder Care, Student Loan Debt, Pet expenses, down payment assistance
• $1,000 Self Improvement Allowance
• PTO from 13 to 23 days depending on tenure. Cashout and Carryover options.
• 10 Days Sick Time
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 4 Days Volunteer Time
• 2 Days Self Allowance Time
• Tuition Assistance

For this position, we anticipate an annual salary range between $65,000 - 85,000. Final employment offers will be dependent upon the selected candidate’s relevant qualifications and experience.

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a highly organized and strategic professional to support the President of the Salaam Banking Division in executing key business initiatives and operational priorities. This role serves as a critical link between strategy and execution, ensuring seamless implementation of business objectives while optimizing productivity, tracking progress, and enhancing efficiency across the organization.

As a trusted partner to leadership, you will manage high-impact projects, facilitate decision-making, and coordinate key initiatives. Success in this role requires a strong background in finance and accounting (including P&L management), business acumen, excellent communication skills, and a high level of trust, credibility, and diplomacy.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Oversee strategic business initiatives from development to execution, working closely with senior leadership and department heads.
• Identify and prioritize projects, ensuring accurate planning, execution, and follow-up.
• Track critical dashboards and key performance metrics to inform growth strategies and address potential challenges.
• Analyze business processes to identify inefficiencies and implement actionable solutions.

Executive Support & Coordination

• Assist the President in aligning weekly and monthly commitments with business priorities.
• Prepare the President for leadership and operational meetings, ensuring all relevant stakeholders are informed and prepared.
• Support executive decision-making, program management, and initiative implementation.
• Lead and coordinate internal initiatives, ensuring strategic alignment and seamless execution.

Communication & Relationship Management

• Serve as a liaison between the President, employees, and external stakeholders, handling inquiries and ensuring clear communication.
• Develop action plans and oversee the preparation and distribution of key communications.
• Build positive relationships across the division to enhance collaboration, efficiency, and responsiveness.

Operational & Administrative Support

• Manage calendars, correspondence, records, and scheduling of facilities.
• Plan and coordinate quarterly meetings and other key events.
• Assist senior management with special projects as assigned.
• Complete all required training and assume additional responsibilities as needed.

Culture & Engagement

• Champion a passion for success and a positive, team-oriented work environment.
• Drive engagement through active participation in special projects that support the division’s growth and operational excellence.

REQUIREMENTS

• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 lbs.
• Ability to understand and follow instructions in English.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time, twist, bend, sit, walk use hands to twist, handle or feel objects, tools or controls, such as computer mouse, computer keyboard, calculator, stapler, telephone, staple puller, etc., reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, kneel, talk or hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in business, accounting or finance or related field from a four-year college or university; and two years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong leadership skills, driven, direct, assertive, punctual, adaptable.
• Strong level of curiosity, skepticism, and judgment
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong and effective professional oral and written communication skills.
• Communication skills/experience involving motivating, influencing, educating and/or advising others on matters of significance.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Strong MS Excel and Word skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

THE COMPANY

Founded in 1912, Stearns Financial Services Inc. (SFSI) is a $3.2 billion, independently owned financial institution with locations in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona, and over 35,000 small business customers nationwide. Specializing in affordable housing financing, USDA and SBA lending, and small business and equipment financing, Stearns Bank is regularly recognized as one of the country’s top-performing banks and “Best Banks to Work For” by American Banker.

As a Star Tribune Top Workplaces award recipient and an award recipient of the Minnesota Business Magazine 100 Best Places to Work in Minnesota, Stearns takes pride in their team and holds their employees in extremely high regard. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package including our Employee Stock Ownership Program-one of the best long-term incentive programs in the nation. To learn more about Stearns Bank, visit www. StearnsBank.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER /AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, or creed, religion, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status, status with regard to public assistance, or any other class protected by Federal, State, local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.