Sr. Loan Officer

About the Role

DBEDC is seeking a Senior Loan Officer to further expand DBEDC’s mission-driven small business lending by generating a strong pipeline of high-quality borrowers, strengthening community partnerships, and ensuring sound, equitable credit decisions that support underserved entrepreneurs in Boston.

This role blends business development, underwriting, risk evaluation, financial coaching, and portfolio support. The Senior Loan Officer provides leadership to Lending Officers, supports continuous improvement within the lending team, and ensures that every loan advances economic mobility in Dorchester Bay’s priority communities.

What you can expect to do in the role:

Business Development & Market Expansion

• Own and grow a robust lending pipeline through proactive outreach and relationship building.
• Promote DBEDC loan products to entrepreneurs, referral partners, lenders, and community organizations.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships across Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, and surrounding neighborhoods.
• Represent DBEDC at community, industry, and ecosystem partner events.
• Monitor market trends and adjust outreach strategies to meet community and portfolio needs.

Pipeline Management & Client Intake

• Conduct borrower intake, screening, and prequalification.
• Guide clients through documentation, loan requirements, and readiness expectations.
• Maintain accurate and timely CRM data on leads, referrals, and pipeline status.
• Collaborate with internal teams to improve lead quality and outreach effectiveness.

Credit Analysis, Underwriting & Loan Recommendations

• Perform full-cycle credit analysis and underwriting for small business loans.
• Review financial statements, tax returns, bank statements, credit reports, collateral, and references.
• Conduct borrower interviews and cash flow analysis.
• Prepare comprehensive underwriting memos and make credit recommendations to the CEO and Loan Committee.
• Ensure complete due diligence and timely loan decisions.

Client Technical Assistance & Financial Coaching

• Provide one-on-one financial coaching to strengthen borrower readiness and long-term success.
• Deliver workshops and trainings (e.g., Access to Capital).
• Support clients with business planning, pricing, financial projections, and cash flow forecasting.
• Connect borrowers to external technical assistance providers as needed.

Portfolio Management & Collections Support

• Monitor portfolio performance and identify early warning signs.
• Conduct periodic check-ins with borrowers to mitigate risk and support repayment success.
• Support the Portfolio Manager on delinquent or higher-risk loans as assigned.

Loan Documentation, Compliance & Data Integrity

• Maintain complete, accurate, and audit-ready loan files.
• Ensure compliance with DBEDC policies, funder requirements, and CDFI standards.
• Uphold strong internal controls and data integrity across lending systems.

Team Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Provide supervision, coaching, and feedback to Lending Officers (as assigned).
• Foster a culture of learning, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to the refinement of lending products and the development of new initiatives aligned with community needs.

Qualifications – What Success Requires

Mission & Values Alignment

• Commitment to DBEDC’s mission and racial equity in community development.
• Ownership mindset with focus on high-quality results and team impact.
• Willingness to learn, explore new approaches, and implement improvements.
• Comfort navigating change and proposing innovative solutions.

Technical Expertise

• Minimum 6 years of progressive experience in small business, commercial, or CDFI lending.
• Strong underwriting and credit analysis skills, including cash flow analysis, forecasting, and risk assessment.
• Experience working with underbanked, low-income, and underserved entrepreneurs strongly preferred.
• Experience providing technical assistance or financial coaching to small business owners.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, loan management systems, and standard productivity tools.

Leadership & Communication

• Proven ability to build trust-based relationships with clients and partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to team and organizational goals.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends for community outreach.

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.