The New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce, a not for profit organization dedicated to providing programs and services to foster the development, growth, and success of women–owned small businesses and microenterprises is looking for an experienced Senior Business & Finance Specialist.
The Senior Business & Finance Specialist is responsible for providing one–on–one technical assistance and training to start up and existing businesses in the areas of business and financial readiness. The individual in this position will help microentrepreneurs with the development and implementation of business and financial management best practices, including management, financial planning and accounting to build the capacity of small businesses and increase their ability to access capital. The Senior Business & Finance Specialist represents the New York Women’s Chamber of Commerce at meetings, events and public functions. The Specialist creates and maintains partnerships with business services providers and financial institutions, community organizations, corporations and other resource partners throughout New York City.
Job Description:
The Senior Business & Finance Specialist will assist businesses in preparing for and obtaining financing by identifying the appropriate sources of capital for the business’s need and preparing loan and grant packages (developing, gathering and reviewing financial documents, preparing loan applications, reviewing business plans, etc.)
Financing:
• Assist businesses in applying for capital through loans, grants and investments
• Assist businesses in preparing and analyzing financial documents required for their loan applications. These documents include profit and loss projections, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
• Develop relationships with banks, credit unions, alternative lenders, credit–building organizations and community development organizations that can provide complementary services to clients that need a loan.
• Conduct courses in financial management and access to financing in order to better prepare customers to receive services and/or manage their loan
• Participate in financing service working groups in order to identify best practices, improve efficiencies and overcome obstacles to achieving outcomes
Marketing and Sales:
• Market NYWCC and its services to new and existing business customers through direct business outreach activities
• Leverage partners as referral sources for financing customers who require loan packaging assistance
• Acquire a sufficient volume of new customers with a need for Financing services to ensure goals can be achieved
• Develop targeted sales strategies to acquire customers in low to moderate income areas with goals for customer acquisition, measure the success of those strategies on an ongoing basis, and adjust course as needed in order to ensure that sales targets are being achieved
• Develop and maintain a strong understanding of the target area including, neighborhoods, business community, and lenders
• Attend evening and morning networking events, panels, and business socials as a means of conducting business development, as needed
Work Management:
• Create and maintain complete records of customer accounts, including detailed content on sales and service delivery activities completed and full profile information for the business customer, in the system’s CRM database
• Respond to all customer inquiries in a timely and appropriate manner, in accordance with quality assurance best practices and Center standards
• Attend trainings and mentoring sessions as provided by NYWCC in order to enhance financing skills
• Provide feedback to team members, and Director on an ongoing basis in order to improve the system’s ability to achieve outcomes and provide high–quality financing services
Preferred Skills:
• Extensive experience in small business lending
• Bilingual in English and Spanish
• Sales experience
• A strong belief in the potential of small businesses and the value of understanding their needs and helping them to succeed.
• Strong understanding of small business lending policies and practices including developing and reviewing financial statements, loan packaging and loan underwriting
• Understanding of commercial banking regulations, operations and credit practices
• Proven track record in acquiring and retaining business customers
• Demonstrated knowledge of small business assistance and business support programs in New York City a plus
• Experience using customer relationship management tools or other database systems in order to track and manage services and outcomes
• Ability to manage towards goals in order to ensure the successful achievement of those goals by specific deadlines
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in both a team and individual setting
• Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills
• The ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with a diverse array of internal and external stakeholders
• Flexible, adaptable, customer–focused, and goal–oriented with a commitment to high standards of excellence.
• Prior experience in a loan underwriting, loan consulting or accounting role a plus
• The ability to think innovatively and generate new ideas that can translate directly into results.
Qualifications:
• At least 3–5 years of relevant work experience in the areas described above
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required
Salary:
• Salary commensurate with experience.
If interested, please email your resume and cover letter to Robin Greene at rgreene@nywcc.org
Cover letters should be addressed to Irene Dominguez, Director of Business Services
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