Program Officer, Lending

What We Do

With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families.

Strategies We Pursue

• Equip talent in underinvested communities with the skills and credentials to compete successfully for quality income and wealth opportunities.
• Invest in businesses, housing and other community infrastructure to catalyze economic, health, safety and educational mobility for individuals and communities.
• Strengthen existing alliances while building new collaborations to increase our impact on the progress of people and places.
• Develop leadership and the capacity of partners to advance our work together.
• Drive local, regional, and national policy and system changes that foster broadly shared prosperity and well-being.

Since 1979, LISC and its affiliates have invested approximately $29.7 billion in businesses, affordable housing, health, educational mobility, community and recreational facilities, public safety, employment, and other projects that help to revitalize and stabilize underinvested communities. Headquartered in New York City, LISC’s reach spans the country from East coast to West coast in 38 markets with offices extending from Buffalo to San Francisco and in 2,400 rural counties across 49 states and Puerto Rico. Visit us at www.lisc.org

POSITION DEWSCRIPTION

LISC Upstate SC seeks a Lending Program Officer to advance its community development lending program.  This position is charged to support LISC Upstates' work towards increasing transformative impact by facilitating and deploying capital and guiding development capacity at the local and regional level. This person will be responsible for lending business development and loan originations that support LISC’s strategic priorities and a comprehensive approach to neighborhood revitalization.  We seek an experienced professional who desires to strengthen communities through thoughtful, impactful lending, technical assistance, and project management. Primary responsibilities will include identifying project opportunities; providing technical assistance to local borrowers; initial vetting of projects and structuring financing needs; deep ties and experience building relationships, networking, and collaborating effectively with ethnically, culturally, and socio-economically diverse communities and organizations that serve them; and deep passion for and commitment to lending through the lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. This position requires a hybrid work arrangement.

The Program Officer, Lending will be expected to work closely with other LISC team members, be action oriented, results-driven and enjoy working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working closely with the Executive Director, the Program Officer, Lending will:

• Develop a strategic approach to support the growth of lending and real estate-based transactions, design new lending programs and create related marketing, informational and application materials.
• Build and manage a pipeline of projects for Upstate SC to invest in such asset classes as affordable housing, community facilities, educational facilities, commercial developments and economic infrastructure with the primary goal of generating loan activity for the LISC loan fund and other LISC-managed loan pools to meet LISC Upstate’s agreed upon lending goals.
• Work with LISC partners on the full cycle of activities related to business and real estate-based lending and development, providing technical assistance and identifying appropriate LISC resources as needed. This includes assessing project feasibility and the financing request, developing financing strategies and helping partners access other forms of capital including philanthropic contributions and/or public subsidies.
• Develop and manage relationships with other strategic partners, including for-profit and nonprofit financial institutions and local, state, and national governmental subsidy programs, that could support potential permanent financing structures for LISC borrowers.
• Ensure integration and alignment of Upstate SC’s real estate development activities and financing pipeline with the strategic direction and goals of LISC National and Upstate SC by collaborating with LISC team members and strategic neighborhood partners.
• Provide capacity building support to partners to position their organization to successfully implement more complex real estate developments. Identify LISC resources that could be used to strengthen the organization.
• Serve as primary underwriter, including working with borrowers to structure the transaction, conducting due diligence and financial analyses, drafting credit memoranda, and presenting loan recommendations to LISC’s national Credit Committee and the LISC Board of Directors, as applicable.
• Coordinate between National Lending and local program staff through regular pipeline meetings and other channels.
• Compile and share best practices in business development and sourcing from within the LISC community and from sources outside of LISC. Represent LISC as an expert on community development lending and share best practices at conferences, trainings, and events.
• Prepare reports and findings for investors, funders and other stakeholders as needed.
• Lead new initiatives as called upon to do so.
• Perform other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor’s degree OR relevant related work experience
• Minimum of at least three (3) years of relevant experience in lending, finance, community development or related field. Proven track record of delivering results.   
• Familiarity with the real estate markets in the Upstate SC together with familiarity with city, state and federal housing, commercial and mixed-use financing programs available to support projects.
• Knowledge of financing products such as predevelopment, acquisition, construction, bridge and permanent loans; lines of credit; and tax credit equity.
• Experience with working with lower-income communities and with a community-based, resident-driven model of neighborhood revitalization preferred.
• Ability to evaluate financial statements.
• Ability to identify financing opportunities and to creatively solve problems.
• Capacity to work on multiple tasks and projects, prioritize a challenging workload, be positive and solution oriented.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others and demonstrate flexibility and poise in dealing with a diverse range of individuals and organizations.
• Commitment to working in a small team with a desire to learn from colleagues, supporting and encouraging each other in the pursuit of excellence.
• Excellent judgment, maturity, integrity, professionalism, interpersonal and managerial skills.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills are essential. Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, particularly Microsoft Excel.

The position will be based in Upstate SC with some local travel to potential or current borrowers, and travel to LISC and industry related events. LISC offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package.  

Please include a cover letter with your submission.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

LISC offers a competitive salary of $70,000 - $85,000 commensurate with experience and excellent benefits.

*Actual salaries may be based on several factors including, but not limited to, a candidate's skill set, experience, education, work location and other qualifications.

Our benefits include: 

Medical, Dental, Vision Coverage: Comprehensive health plans for you and your family's well-being; Disability Insurance: Long-term and short-term coverage for peace of mind; Retirement Savings: Secure your future with our 401(k) and 403(b) plans; Generous Holidays: Enjoy ample time off to recharge and celebrate; Vacation, PTO, and Sick Days: Take advantage of flexible time-off policies to maintain work-life balance; Tuition Assistance: Pursue your educational goals with support from our tuition assistance program; Referral Program: Earn rewards for referring qualified candidates to join our team; Professional Development Opportunities: Grow and advance in your career with access to ongoing training and development programs tailored to your goals.

LISC is an equal opportunity employer. LISC does not discriminate in employment on account of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military status or veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.

We will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.

LISC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE