The Working World is a nonprofit CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) that builds cooperative businesses using a groundbreaking model that combines non-extractive finance with tailor-made technical support. We put finance into the hands of working people without making them put down collateral or take a debt burden that could threaten their wellbeing. We do this by promoting a more inclusive form of ownership — businesses that are collectively run and owned by their workers — and by tying loan returns to project success, acting as a partner to ensure stability and sustainability.

In the last fifteen years, we have lent over $16 million to more than 300 worker cooperatives in Argentina, Nicaragua, and the United States, resulting in growing businesses, jobs created, more workers in positions of ownership, and real community wealth building. Our goals are idealistic, but our methods are practical – our team has experience in business strategy, community economic development, and finance, and we work for concrete results with maximum impact. We support sustainability and autonomy in communities that have been most impacted by the extractive economy, de-industrialization and systemic discrimination, paving the way for a new, democratic and sustainable economy in NYC and beyond.

The Position

This position is for someone with relevant professional experience working in business, finance and/or economic development in marginalized communities. This experience could include relevant academic work in Master’s programs and/or significant professional experience working as an economic development practitioner, educator, community organizer, or related role in working-class and/or historically marginalized communities. Candidates must be passionately committed to economic justice and eager to engage deeply with the businesses we support.

We are looking for people who are equally idealistic and practical and who are open and eager to learn The Working World’s lending methodology. Candidates must also be organized self-starters and have the patience and drive to work toward longer-term goals.

Ideally, we are looking for candidates from or with extensive experience in the different communities where we work, particularly African-American, Latinx, and/or immigrant communities.

Our target start date is August 5, 2019 for one full-time position in New York, NY.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and facilitate weekly meetings with cooperatives and worker-owners both on- and off-site, sometimes outside of regular work hours
• Lead research and financial analyses to prepare new investments and business plans
• Measure progress on business goals and problem-solve with cooperatives, assisting with key business functions when necessary
• Develop weekly progress reports and participate in team troubleshooting meetings
• Help Junior staff prepare for meetings and navigate business challenges
• Lead community events and cooperative business workshops
• Partner with organizational and government affiliates
• Contribute to organizational strategic planning and growth

Key Qualifications:

• Significant post-undergraduate experience in Economic Development, Business, Public Administration, Community Organizing, or other related field. Experience could be in the form of further education, such as a Master’s degree, or relevant professional work
• Business development knowledge, including feasibility studies, project planning, and financial projections
• Strong interest and/or background in cooperative development and economic justice
• Experience working in African-American, Latino and/or immigrant communities and with women entrepreneurs
• Spanish proficiency strongly preferred
• Experience with community organizing a plus
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

The Working World is committed to a diverse staff team and encourages candidates of all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds to apply. Staff are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, in accordance with federal and state law.

Level of Language Proficiency