Business & Loan Counselor for Nonprofit

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Compensation: $60,000 to $68,000 annual plus excellent benefits

*** This position is on-site in our DTLA Office ***

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

PACE is a local community non-profit founded in 1976 originally to provide job training and placement services for the Asian Pacific Islander communities in Los Angeles. PACE has since expanded into a variety of service areas, all tailored to meet the growing and changing needs of the multi-ethnic communities in Los Angeles County. Now, in addition to job training and employment services, significant PACE programs encompass: business development; early childhood education (Head Start); financial education and asset building; housing and rehabilitation services; weatherization and energy-conservation programs; and affordable housing development. PACE serves more than 60,000 people each year with our wide scope of services with approximately 400+ staff. PACE is recognized as a leader in addressing problems of poverty and economic inequity in ethnic minority communities and has a reputation of being responsive to community needs and is known for creating innovative solutions to the myriad of challenges faced by our clients.

I. PROGRAM SUMMARY

The PACE Business Development Center (PACE BDC) promotes the economic growth and expansion of diverse Los Angeles communities by providing capital infusion, business consulting services, and financial literacy training.

II. POSITION SUMMARY

PACE BDC is seeking an experienced and dedicated BUSINESS & LOAN COUNSELOR to join the team. Under the supervision and collaboration with the Business Counselor Manager, the individual will carry out all day-to-day program activities for meeting and exceeding all program performance outcomes & requirements. Additionally, the individual will collaborate with other business counselors, loan/credit counselors, program assistants, interns, and volunteers to meet performance outcomes, requirements, and compliance. The Business & Loan Counselor will also act as the representative of PACE in cultivating and maintaining collaborative working relationships with all partners, key stakeholders, and other community partners.

III. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

Working Relationships:

• Actively engage and collaborate with staff of PACE Business Development Center (BDC), community partners, consultants, and other PACE departments, consultants, speakers, interns, and volunteers.
• Network to establish and build relationships with business services providers and community leaders to gain loan referrals and increase visibility.
• Collaborate with BDC and PACE staff to offer assistance and service to clients.

Program Implementation:

• Outreach and Recruitment
  • Direct outreach, via strategic partners, attending events, conduct workshops to recruit business owners and entrepreneurs.
  • Providing business needs assessment using successful screening tool.
  • Managing and tracking clients' progress through CRM system.
  • Establishing appropriate community partnerships to increase enrollment and completion goals.
  • Proactively seek out and cultivate external relationships to generate loan leads.
  • Fulfilling and exceeding enrollment and program goals through effective outreach and recruitment.
• Training & Technical Assistance
  • Update and create training curriculums as needed by the Department.
  • Conduct entrepreneur, microenterprise, and other business-related workshops.
• Business and Loan Counseling
  • Providing one-on-one business mentoring.
  • Report client enrollment, case notes, and supporting documents in Salesforce CRM on an ongoing basis.
  • Collecting all necessary business clients’ facts and documents to complete business enrollment.
  • Conduct regular business needs assessments using program screening tool.
  • Assist clients in applying for DBA, EIN, seller’s permit, business license, and any other required licenses/permits.
  • Provide procurement (contract support) assistance; RAMPLA Registrations, Certifications, Capability Statements, etc.
• Loan and Loan Packaging
  • Providing business loan counseling.
  • Obtaining all necessary loan documents and assist with completing loan packaging.
  • Provide assessment of micro/small business loan needs.
  • Keep informed about PACE Finance Corporation loan products and other lending partners’ products and assist clients with loan preparation and submitting complete applications.
  • Collect clients’ application, facts, financial data, and all other supporting documents.
  • Fill out loan application forms, prepare underwriting summary and financial forecast, and package loan.
  • Make presentation on clients’ loan file to the loan committee.
  • Assist in loan closing.
• Sustainability
  • Build and maintain constructive relationships with funders.
  • Keep informed of the state and data collection for microenterprise fields and the clients in Los Angeles.
  • Monitor and assist in funding applications for microenterprise and related programs.

Strategic and Funding Duties:

• Participate in the strategic planning to develop, market, and deliver PACE BDC and Microloans programs.
• Create and distribute materials to help market the PACE BDC and Microloan programs.
• Collaborate with counselors to evaluate the PACE BDC, Microloan products, and BDC services.
• Initiate and build constructive relationships with community partners to perform outreach for BDC.
• Monitor and attend needed trainings and conferences locally and nationally as assigned.

IV. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCES, AND SKILLS

Education and Experience:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, marketing, or other related field.
• Minimum of three years progressive work experience in providing technical assistance and training to start-up entrepreneurs and microenterprises, or business development, or equivalent experience.
• Work experience in family or self-owned business or in for-profit companies desirable.
• Work experience in underwriting loans or loan packaging preferred.
• Work experience in assisting small businesses in market access or procurement highly desirable.

Skills and Abilities:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with experience using Word, Excel, Social Media, and Online Marketing.
• Experience working with database and client relation management (CRM) software/system such as Salesforce highly desirable.
• Excellent, proven interpersonal, public speaking, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a proactively diverse and inclusive organization.
• Ability to work with low-income individuals and diverse groups of multi-background.
• Ability to make public presentations in a clear, concise, and convincing manner.
• Excellent organizational and management skills.
• Excellent knowledge of local businesses and resources.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced office setting.
• Proven ability to cope with conflicts, stress, and crisis situations.
• Effective problem-solving and mediation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to share skills and knowledge with others.
• ***Bi-lingual Spanish language skill is required*** Please indicate on your resume or cover letter if you have bi-lingual Spanish language skills.

V. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must have reliable transportation, a current and valid California Driver’s License, vehicle registration, and adequate automobile insurance coverage.
• Must satisfactorily pass background and employment/reference check.
• COVID vaccination required; must have two-dose series of Pfizer or Moderna or a single-dose of Johnson & Johnson. Those that need a medical or religious exemption must reach out separately.

VI. APPLICATION PROCESS:

• Please upload resume and complete online application.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until positions have been filled.

VII. PHYSICAL DEMANDS

These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the Development and Marketing Director. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the position. While performing the responsibilities of this position, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, carry up to 30 lbs. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

PACE is a private not-for-profit corporation that provides employment, small business assistance, and education, housing, energy and environmental, and other community services in the Los Angeles City and County areas. PACE is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.