Sr. Loan Officer

Role Purpose: 

The Senior Loan Officer expands DBEDC’s mission-driven small business lending by generating a robust pipeline of high-quality borrowers, strengthening community partnerships, and ensuring strong credit decisions that support underserved entrepreneurs in Boston. 

The role combines business development, credit analysis, risk evaluation, coaching, and portfolio support. The Senior Loan Officer provides leadership to Loan Officers, supports continuous improvement, and ensures that every loan contributes to the economic mobility of Dorchester Bay’s priority communities. 

While Loan Officers conduct the preliminary review of each file, the Senior Loan Officer is responsible for the complete, independent credit analysis and underwriting of each loan from initial file review through a fully documented credit memorandum and final Loan Committee decision.

Key Impact Areas & Responsibilities:

Business Development & Market Expansion

Owns pipeline growth and market presence. 

• Promote DBEDC loan products to entrepreneurs, partners, lenders, and community organizations. 
• Develop and maintain a broad referral base through events, presentations, webinars, and direct outreach. 
• Build strategic relationships across Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, and surrounding neighborhoods. 
• Monitor market trends to identify opportunities and adjust outreach strategies. 
• Represent DBEDC at business, industry, and ecosystem partner events. 

Pipeline Management & Client Intake

Ensures a high-quality pipeline of loan-ready applicants. 

• Conduct intake, screening, and prequalification of small business borrowers. 
• Provide clear guidance to clients on documentation, loan requirements, and readiness. 
• Maintain accurate CRM data on leads, contacts, pipeline status, and referral sources. 
• Collaborate with internal teams to refine lead quality and outreach effectiveness. 
• Receive and review completed preliminary files transmitted by Loan Officers, confirming completeness and readiness before advancing each file to full underwriting.

Credit Underwriting 

• Own the credit analysis process from preliminary file review through a fully underwritten, decision-ready credit memorandum. 
• Independently underwrite complex small business and community development loans, including analysis of financial statements, tax returns, bank statements, credit reports, collateral, guarantors, and business performance. 
• Conduct historical, interim, and projected cash flow analysis, including business and global debt service coverage. 
• Evaluate repayment capacity, collateral, guarantor strength, and other key credit risks; identify inconsistencies, concentration risks, and policy exceptions. 
• Develop appropriate risk mitigants and recommend loan structures, including amount, term, pricing, collateral, guarantees, and conditions. 
• Prepare comprehensive credit memoranda that clearly articulate the borrower’s financial position, strengths, risks, mitigants, and recommendation. 
• Present credit recommendations to the Credit Officer and Director of Lending, respond to questions, and incorporate feedback into final recommendations. 
• Ensure underwriting, due diligence, and credit decisions are thoroughly documented and meet established lending standards. 
• Drive approved loans through final decision and closing, ensuring all conditions are satisfied within established timelines. 

Client Technical Assistance & Financial Coaching

Supports borrower success and readiness. 

• Provide one-on-one coaching to help clients set goals, address financial challenges, and strengthen business fundamentals. 
• Deliver workshops and trainings (e.g., Access to Capital). 
• Help clients refine business plans, pricing, market strategies, financial projections, and cash flow forecasting. 
• Connect clients to external technical assistance providers when appropriate. 

Portfolio Management & Collections Support

Ensures ongoing borrower success and risk mitigation. 

• Monitor portfolio performance and support collection efforts as assigned. 
• Conduct periodic check-ins with existing borrowers to assess risks and recommend solutions. 
• Support the Portfolio Manager on past-due loans or businesses showing early warning signs. 

Loan Documentation, Compliance & Data Integrity

Maintains accurate files and compliant lending processes. 

• Prepare complete, audit-ready loan files. 
• Ensure compliance with DBEDC policies, funder requirements, and CDFI standards. 
• Maintain CRM and loan system data with accuracy and timeliness. 
• Ensure all lending documentation is processed in accordance with internal controls. 

Team Leadership & Continuous Improvement

Supports loan team growth and operational excellence. 

• Provide day-to-day guidance and support to team members (as assigned). 
• Support creation of a learning, coaching, and accountability culture. 
• Participate in refining lending products and developing new initiatives aligned with community needs. 
• Review and provide feedback on Loan Officers' preliminary financial analysis and file preparation to strengthen underwriting quality and readiness for full underwriting.

Core Competencies 

• Business Development & Relationship Building 
• Credit Analysis & Underwriting 
• Mission-Driven Lending & CDFI Alignment 
• Financial Coaching & Client Support 
• Risk Assessment & Decision-Making 
• Communication, Presentation & Facilitation Skills 
• CRM & Data Management 
• Cross-Functional Collaboration 
• Leadership, Supervision & Motivation 
• Cultural Responsiveness & Equity Orientation 

Qualifications – What Success Requires: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Mission & Values Alignment

• Strong commitment to DBEDC’s mission and an understanding of racial equity in community development. 

• Demonstrated ability to take ownership and deliver high-quality results while recognizing the impact of actions on team and organizational outcomes. 
• Strong desire to learn and grow by exploring new approaches, asking questions, and applying lessons from past experiences to drive improvements. 
• Comfort with change, and ability to challenge conventional thinking and propose creative solutions. 

Technical Expertise

• 8 years of progressive experience in small business lending, commercial lending, CDFI lending, or community finance.
• Strong proficiency in loan underwriting and credit analysis, including review and development of financial statements, ratios, cash flow analysis, forecasting, and risk assessment.
• Demonstrated ability to apply quantitative and qualitative data to sound lending and business decisions.
• Experience working with under-banked, low-income, and underserved entrepreneurs is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and mathematical skills to support disciplined credit judgment.
• Highly organized and goal-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, benchmarks, and deadlines.
• Experience providing technical assistance or financial coaching to small business owners.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, loan management systems, virtual office tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet), and standard productivity software (e.g., MS Office or similar).
• Ability to work in community-based settings and travel throughout Greater Boston as required.

Leadership & Collaboration Skills

• Demonstrated passion for supporting and coaching entrepreneurs and small business owners, particularly minority-, immigrant-, and women-owned businesses in Dorchester Bay’s target communities.
• Entrepreneurial, self-directed professional with the ability to work independently while contributing positively to team and organizational goals.
• Demonstrated ability to lead by influence and support team development.
• Strong judgment, accountability, and decision-making skills in complex or ambiguous situations.
• Growth-oriented mindset with intellectual ambition and openness to feedback.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends to support community-based activities and outreach.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with cultural competency to connect with diverse audiences.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills, both in-person and virtual.
• Proven ability to build trust-based relationships with clients, partners, and referral sources.
• Customer-focused approach with an understanding of how to connect clients to resources and expand referral networks.
• Professional presence and ability to represent DBEDC effectively in community and partner-facing settings.

Additional Requirements

• Fluency in Cape Verdean Kriolu, Haitian Creole, Spanish, or Vietnamese is a plus 
• Ability to pass background check. 
• Availability for occasional evenings/weekends. 

You’ll stand out if you: 

• Experience with the CDFI industry and community-based lending.
• Knowledge of Boston’s small business ecosystem.
• Experience in mission-oriented financial analysis, deal structuring, and character-based lending.
• Have lived experience connected to DBEDC’s communities.
• Are fluent in Cape Verdean Creole, Spanish, or Haitian Creole.
• Have or have had a residency in Dorchester or Roxbury.

Other important details:

• Salary range: $105,000 - $120,000.

Why DBEDC?

Join an engaging team dedicated to creating equitable, thriving communities. You’ll deploy mission-driven capital, partner with small businesses and community developers, and work alongside a values-driven team to expand access to financing that supports local growth and long-term community impact.

Living Our Values 

At DBEDC, our culture is grounded in shared values:

• Accountability: We take ownership of our words, actions, and their impacts.
• Curiosity: We ask questions, try new things, and learn from experience.
• Collaboration: We build trusting relationships internally and externally.
• Transparency: We communicate directly, honestly, and with clarity.
• Innovation: We embrace change, challenge convention, and adapt with intention.

Benefits

DBEDC proudly offers a total compensation package that goes above and beyond, supporting your health, well-being, and work-life balance. Here’s what you can look forward to:

Health and Wellness

• Choose from several generous medical insurance packages with no waiting period.
• Employer-paid dental and vision coverage to keep you smiling.
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts and the Dependent Care Assistance Program for added flexibility.
• Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and Accidental Death coverage for peace of mind.
• On-demand Employee Wellbeing Services to help you thrive.

Lifestyle and Perks

• Access exclusive discounts through our Perks at Work Program.
• Enjoy a flexible hybrid work environment that balances work and life with ease.

Time Off That Works for You

• Generous amount of vacation time to recharge and relax.
• Seventeen paid holidays, including your birthday, because you deserve to celebrate.
• Fifteen sick days for when you need to rest and recover.
• Three personal days for life’s unexpected moments.
• Five volunteer days to give back.

Future-Focused Benefits

• Save for your future with our 403(b)-retirement plan, featuring a generous employer contribution.

Professional Development

• Grow your career with access to professional development opportunities, including workshops, conferences, and training programs.
• Collaborate and learn in a dynamic environment that encourages innovation and skill- building.

At DBEDC, we’re not just offering benefits, we’re investing in you! Join us and experience a workplace that values your well-being and success while building a brighter future for Dorchester and beyond!

About Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC)

DBEDC is a Community Development Corporation (CDC) and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Founded in 1979, we work to build a strong, thriving, and diverse community in Boston’s North Dorchester and Roxbury neighborhoods. We develop and preserve, home ownership and rental housing across income levels. We create and sustain economic development opportunities for businesses and individuals. We build community through organizing, civic engagement, and leadership development.

We are one of Boston’s legacy agencies and most established community development organizations, with an annual operating budget of approximately $11 million and a staff of 30.

At DBEDC, we welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds and experiences, including those from unconventional career paths and anyone who can bring fresh perspectives and lived experiences to our team. Together, we aim to build an organization that reflects and celebrates the vibrancy of the communities we serve.