Position Reports to: Director, Loan Origination
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Department: Financing
For over 40 years, Nonprofit Finance Fund has provided these nonprofits and their leaders with capital, consulting, and thought leadership. As a community development finance institution (CDFI), we work with nonprofits, partners, and systems to build racial equity and community wealth and well-being. Our vision is a world of equitable prosperity, where communities of color and other systematically excluded communities have the capital, community assets, knowledge, and agency to thrive. You can learn more about our work to achieve that vision by reading our Strategic Plan for 2024-2026 and our commitment to racial equity.
None of this work would be possible without the incredible people who work here. Our team consists of a diverse group of passionate professionals who care deeply about racial equity and community wealth and well-being. You can read more about what it’s like to work here – and read a few examples of “a day in the life” for NFF staff” – on the careers page of our website.
Thank you for your interest in NFF. We hope you’ll join us.
About the Opportunity:
NFF’s Financing team provides loans to nonprofit organizations for their real estate and working capital needs with a commitment to ensuring Black, Indigenous, and communities of color and their leaders have access to and control of the funds they need to meet their goals. Currently, NFF manages around $400 million of financing assets, primarily loans to nonprofit organizations in the education, healthcare, human service, and housing sectors.
The Director, Loan Origination will be primarily responsible for driving lending activity in the Los Angeles/Southern California market(s). This position will partner with the Director, Loan Origination Team Leader in the planning and implementation of strategic initiatives aligned with NFF’s mission, proposing ways to integrate the strategy into the different aspects of the business development work. This role will collaborate closely with NFF Underwriting and Portfolio Management staff to structure and support viable financing opportunities while ensuring successful client experiences.
A successful Director, Loan Origination will contribute to lending process improvements by providing suggestions to streamline and facilitate the team’s workflow. This role will bring in knowledge of key and emerging markets, with a particular focus on Los Angeles/Southern California, to support and inform the loan origination strategy. They will build and nurture relationships with local partners and community anchor organizations in furtherance of the community-centered approach that NFF’s new strategy has as key priority.
This position is based in Los Angeles. This role requires a minimum of 25% travel, and it is expected that 75% of the time will be externally focused. Travel will consist of local client and partner meetings, occasional out-of-town site visits, and local/national conferences.
What you’ll do:
Relationship Management
- Develop and nurture relationships with new and existing clients ensuring a smooth transition through the financing process; lead conversations with clients in a way that demonstrates empathy and garners understanding of their experiences and needs, including those who have faced barriers to equitable access of capital
- Develop financing solutions that reflect the needs of clients while working closely with all Loan Origination, Underwriting, and Portfolio Management staff to ensure excellent customer service
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with lending partners (banks, CDFIs, foundations, institutional investors and other capital providers and intermediaries) as well as stakeholders such as consultants, nonprofit networks and advocacy organizations
- Work across the organization to identify business development opportunities and help coordinate lending activity so that it intersects with NFF’s overall priorities and key relationships
Loan Originations
- Originate loans and NMTC transactions by identifying, assessing, negotiating, and supporting the underwriting team in the structuring of viable, credit worthy financings
- Generate new business and manage LA business development pipeline in coordination with the Director, Loan Origination Team Leader, proactively monitoring industry and regional trends and identifying opportunities
- Conduct initial assessment and analysis of financing prospects, prepare Letters of Support if requested by clients, and present loan opportunities to the Financing team during pipeline meetings to keep opportunities moving along in the lending process
- Consult with NFF General Counsel and senior leadership as needed to ensure loan opportunities are structured in alignment with NFF credit policies and practices
- Consult with portfolio management, loan servicing, and construction management staff to ensure loan opportunities are structured in alignment with internal guidelines and practices
- Provide guidance and assistance to junior staff in the initial screening of financing prospects and applicants
Strategy and Market Development
- Support the Director, Loan Origination Team Leader, in the development and implementation of a tactical plan that will consistently generate a viable pipeline of high credit quality clients and transactions including, but not limited to, on-balance sheet lending, NMTC transactions, off -balance sheet opportunities, and special programs
- Identify, build, and nurture relationships with client segments in line with NFF’s mission and strategy
- Collaborate closely with NFF’s Community Engagement team to connect with communities and identify ways to address inequitable access to capital, and elevate those insights to support new loan product development
- Identify and develop community partnerships to support product and process design
- Support the integration of capital delivery and technical assistance, to ensure the capacity building needs of borrowers are met with a client-centered relational approach
Who you are:
- You have a minimum of seven years of professional work experience in the nonprofit or financial services industry as a loan officer, business development, and/or loan origination professional
- You are proficient in credit analysis, loan structuring, and business development with a particular focus on affordable housing, charter schools, community health centers or human service providers
- You have a strong relationship-building approach with the ability to center the needs of clients and communities
- You are a strategic thinker; you combine strategy and innovation to successfully design and implement processes, systems and policies that support the organization's overall vision and growth
- You possess strong project management skills with demonstrated success managing multiple projects
- You have an aptitude for problem-solving and are able to identify challenges and provide solutions
- You maintain a high level of integrity and are able to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner
- You are flexible, adaptable, and willing to pivot on short notice to meet the organization’s needs
- You are committed to continuous improvement and demonstrate a growth mindset
- You have exceptional and proactive communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
- You enjoy collaborating with team members who are working together to re-envision the Community Development Finance Industry
Compensation:
At NFF, we are invested in discussing the depth and breadth of each candidate’s background and experience during the interview process and using that information to determine the best offer while considering internal pay equity. The salary range for this position is $120,000-$140,000. If provided an offer, NFF will determine salary compensation based on relevant skills and years of experience. NFF also takes into consideration internal equity in setting salary bands for each role. NFF provides an attractive benefits package that currently includes up to 18 paid holidays, 3 floating holidays, unlimited vacation time off, health insurance with NFF funded health reimbursement account on medical plan, and employer contributions toward retirement plan. In addition, NFF provides flexibility to work remotely and access to a “work from home” fund, and flexible spending accounts including medical, commuter, and childcare benefits.
Please Note:
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We do not currently sponsor for immigration or work permit applications.
All salaries are commensurate with experience and include an attractive benefits package.
NFF is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or military or veteran status in accordance with federal law. In addition, NFF complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every jurisdiction in which it maintains facilities. NFF also provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws.contact recruitment@nff.org. We would be happy to work with you.
This job posting provides a general list of the essential responsibilities and qualificatioIt does not represent a contract for employment and NFF reserves the right to change the description and/or posting at any time without notice.
DO NOT include any of the following information with your job application: Social Security number; driver's license number or state-issued identification card number; financial account number, or credit or debit card number.
