Loan Officer

Background

Charter School Finance and Development, Inc. (CSFD) is a national non-profit charter school finance and development company that specializes in providing affordable facility solutions to high quality charter schools in underserved neighborhoods. Originally focused on schools in the midwestern US, CSFD is expanding nationally.

CSFD is an impact-driven CDFI lender and is motivated by the positive change that our loan products can bring to our borrowers to help them better serve their communities and student bodies, the majority of which are expected to comprise underprivileged children living in low-income neighborhoods where access to conventional forms of financing is limited.

CSFD makes direct loans to charter schools as well as partners with other mission-drive lenders and CDFIs to provide a range of loan products, including financing for acquisition, construction, leasehold improvements, working capital, and furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E). CSFD also provides real estate consulting services to its charter school clients and may provide New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) subject to available allocation.

CSFD’s office and the position is located in Schaumburg, IL (Chicago Metro area) subject to a flexible hybrid schedule.

Summary

The Loan Officer/Commercial Underwriter/Credit Analyst will underwrite loan requests from charter school borrowers, including participation loans with Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) lending partners. The Loan Officer/Commercial Underwriter/Credit Analyst may also assist with NMTC underwriting & closings as well as with processing the Real Estate Construction payment application and finance-related activities to include accounting & budgeting/forecasting. Additional responsibilities include Business Development and provision of Consulting services.

The Loan Officer/Commercial Underwriter/Credit Analyst should demonstrate the ability to cultivate external relationships with charter schools, CDFI lending partners, and other community development organizations and groups. As part of a small but fast-growing organization, the position requires an experienced professional with excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills. The successful candidate will be detail oriented and have the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and assignments, and meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Build and expand relationships with lending partners such as commercial lenders, CDFIs, CDEs, Foundations and Charter School Organizations.
• Identify lending opportunities and underwrite loans.
• Structure and negotiate financing proposals/commitments and prepare written loan packages for review and approval by the Loan
• Review the loan packages submitted by participating lenders.
• Order, review and interpret third party due diligence reports, including appraisals, market assessments, entitlement/zoning classifications, and environmental reports to determine transaction viability and appropriate loan
• Coordinate the preparation of commitment letters and loan documents with internal team members and attorneys as
• Assist in the closing process, including the collection, review, approval and execution of all closing documents and
• Manage an existing/prospective portfolio of loans, including site visits, timely review of financial statements, review and approval of disbursement/funding requests, monitoring for covenant compliance and processing modification and extension
• Assist Accounting in maintaining loan files in audit-ready condition to ensure accuracy and
• Review and process construction payment applications.
• Assist in the preparation of month-end financial closing, reconciliation, and assist with audit and tax return
• Assist in the preparation of financial statements and budgeting & forecasting for the company
• Willingness to engage in limited to moderate travel as needed to meet with borrowers, conduct site visits, as well as attend charter school and CDFI-related conferences
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements

• Three to Five years of lending experience with real estate underwriting responsibilities.
• Passion for helping underprivileged communities and charter schools.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Underwriting/Accounting/Finance software skills and knowledge
• Accounting and Financial statement analysis skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skill, especially Excel.
• Bachelor’s degree in business/finance/accounting.
• CDFI industry, charter school, commercial, or nonprofit lending experience.

Compensation and Benefits

CSFD offers a competitive salary based on experience and skills, as well as an excellent benefits package including health, disability, and life insurance, 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match, and paid time off.

CSFD is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

How to Apply

Submit Resume and Cover Letter to: info@csfd.org