Sr. Business Finance Officer - Business Development LTE

Summary 

The Senior Business Finance Officer coordinates, underwrites, and administers business finance and real estate lending products that support economic growth and opportunity for Portland-based businesses. This position works directly with economic and real estate development department staff to assist businesses with access to internal and external financial and technical resources. This position supports growth of lending programs to enhance organizational outcomes by engaging in activities such as responding to leads and inquiries, leading outreach strategies, providing education, and/or enabling quality outcomes of clients. 

The Senior Business Finance Officer - Business Development role at Prosper Portland, the city’s economic and urban development agency for the City of Portland, will coordinate the deployment of business finance and real estate lending products that support economic growth and opportunity. Your primary focus will be to increase awareness of Prosper Portland loan programs and help build a pipeline of eligible borrowers. You'll serve as the initial contact with potential borrowers and will evaluate all inquiries to assess their alignment with Prosper Portland loan programs and eligibility to apply for them. You'll have an awareness of other conventional and alternative lenders that may be a better fit for inquires that don't meet Prosper Portland loan program guidelines and technical assistance providers that can support businesses. You'll also build relationships with other conventional and alternative lenders that may have businesses to refer to Prosper Portland's lending team and will engage in business development activities with business organizations and other possible referral sources. In addition to the business development duties, you will support the lending team by underwriting business and real estate loan requests, as needed. An exceptional candidate will possess the knowledge and experience to navigate between traditional commercial banking systems and alternative lending strategies that support a variety of borrowers, requiring flexibility, open-mindedness, and creativity. This person will have excellent business and commercial real estate lending experience, including development and construction financing. In addition, they will demonstrate analytical and financial insight, an intuitive ease with collaboration, and the ability to develop strong relationships across cultures, identities, and experiences.  

Please note: This position is a 2-year Limited Term Employment (LTE)

We will be accepting applications until 11/19/2025.

Functions and Responsibilities  

• Provides service and technical support to prospective borrowers and loan applicants throughout all phases of the application process and subsequent loan servicing.
• Determines eligibility of loan requests and conducts a complete credit and financial analysis according to agency guidelines to assess financial capability.
• Engages in networking, community outreach, marketing, and other business development related activities to promote Prosper Portland’s lending products.
• Oversees and manages the data collection, generation of metrics and outcomes, analysis, and reporting for business development activities and initiatives related to business finance and real estate lending products.  
• Leads community outreach and engagement activities to proactively establish and build authentic relationships with stakeholders and to facilitate engagement in lending programs.
• Respond to incoming inquiries and coordinate the transition of initial leads into the lending process. 
• Provide education to prospective borrowers and loan applicants to support their awareness of programs and ability to successfully navigate all stages of the lending process. 
• Cultivates and leverages partnerships with entrepreneurs, businesses, non-profits, lenders, government and city partners, educational institutions, community and industry associations, property owners, developers, neighborhood business district managers and board members, and other stakeholders to support awareness of and participation in lending programs. 
• Works collaboratively with external stakeholders, clients, and with internal Prosper Portland teams to develop relationships and build a pipeline of eligible Prosper Portland business finance prospects. Makes recommendations for feasibility and structure of financing packages.
• Makes presentations to the agency loan committee, Board of Commissioners, and other governing bodies.
• Analyzes and coordinates client requests for loan modifications or restructuring.
• Makes recommendations for and connects clients with technical assistance to assist with business planning, project feasibility, sustained growth, and access to capital.
• Collaborates with and provides technical support to staff related to business start-up, expansion, and recruitment projects, and real estate development loans and projects including financing, deal structuring and terms.
• Coordinates closing and funding of new loans and modifications to existing loans, including ensuring appropriate documentation, collaborating with the Legal Department and Lending Team, and monitoring and tracking schedules and expenditures as needed.
• Makes recommendations and participates in process and program improvements; coordinates or assists with their implementation.
• Manages small contracts for flexible services.
• Assists the agency with special projects, committees, and other relevant duties as assigned. 

Scope   

• Operates under minimal supervision.  Establishes own approaches and procedures. Receives general instruction on new assignments. Work is subject to final review.
• Makes decisions for many aspects of work. Makes recommendations for decisions related to agency policy or major legal, fiscal, political, or operational impacts that require oversight.
• Decisions and errors in work can have a significant legal, financial, political, or operational impact to the agency.
• Work involves a high level of complexity due to tight timelines, the need to prioritize multiple assignments, the technical and ambiguous nature of underwriting in mission-based lending, the interaction with external stakeholders and the need to use discretion in those interactions.
• Position has no supervisory responsibilities; however, position may oversee the work of consultants, contractors, temporary contract workers, and/or student staff. 

Competencies

Putting People First, Inclusion & Collaboration 

• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to build constructive and trusting relationships. Exercises active listening, tact, patience, and discretion.
• Mission-Driven Service: Ability to provide excellent service by demonstrating a people-oriented mindset and willingness to help. Ability to train and provide guidance to others.
• Teamwork: Ability to work with others inclusively and collaboratively. Works to resolve conflicts and build consensus.
• Communication: Effective use of both verbal and written communication. Ability to speak in public and utilize negotiation and persuasive skills. Ability to organize, simplify, and report complex data and information to a variety of audiences.
• Cultural Curiosity and Reflection: Ability to learn and use culturally responsive practices to understand, communicate, and work with people across cultures and identities. Honors and embraces differences and models inclusivity in interactions and decisions.
• Advancing Equity: A demonstrated commitment to advancing social and racial equity, and actively seeks out opportunities to do so. Ability to learn, understand, and apply the principles and practices of equity to work.

Excellence, Innovation & Learning 

• Knowledge: Demonstrated knowledge of small business, commercial and real estate lending and business and real estate development finance, including an understanding of terminology, policies, and best practices. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other software applications. Basic understanding of public administration.
• Technical Abilities: Ability to underwrite, close, and modify loans for traditional mission-based lending. Ability to apply strong financial analysis skills and tools in credit analysis, risk management, and compliance to work. Ability to build and leverage a network to build awareness of programs or services.
• Continuous Learning: Openness to new ideas. Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback. Ability to ask for help and learn from experiences.
• Problem Solving: Apply research, analytical, and creative problem-solving skills. Exercises sound judgement in carrying out responsibilities. Ability to interpret and apply law, policy, and procedure to work.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to respond to shifting and competing work demands. Perseveres in the face of obstacles.
• Planning and Organization: Ability to organize work, set priorities, and monitor work independently.
• Accountability: Takes initiative and responsibility for actions. Follows through on commitments and meets deadlines. Maintains confidentiality as appropriate. 

Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience  

Five years of experience in business and commercial loan underwriting, or three years of business and commercial loan underwriting and three years in one or more of the following areas: business development, economic development, community development, or equivalent experience. An Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree will substitute for up to one year of experience. 

Physical Requirements  

Position requires ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time along with the ability to frequently move throughout the office. Position often uses a computer and other standard office equipment. Position must communicate and interact with internal and external stakeholders.