Business Lender at Craft3 – Seattle, Washington

About Craft3Craft3 is on a mission to build a thriving, just, and empowered Pacific Northwest. As a nonprofit community lender founded in 1994, we provide responsible financing and support to entrepreneurs, businesses, and communities that traditional finance often overlook. We believe everyone deserves access to capital and the chance to succeed. We work with people who have been denied access to opportunity — helping them build wealth, strengthen their communities, and create lasting change across Oregon and Washington.

Our team is passionate about our mission and brings expertise from banking, community development, finance, accounting, natural resources, and regional planning. While they connect to our mission in different ways, all staff care deeply about using finance to expand opportunities and create a more inclusive world.

Ready to take the next step? We are looking for a Business Lender to join our amazing Craft3 team in the WA or OR Area.

What We Offer

At Craft3 we value our team members and offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports their health, well-being, and ongoing professional growth.

Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage to keep you and your family healthyA 403(b) Retirement Plan with matching contribution to help secure your financial futureGenerous Paid Time Off (PTO) that includes 9 Company Holidays + 2 Paid Weeks of Rest annually to relax and recharge32 hours of Paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO) – give back to the community while we support your time12 weeks of Paid Parental Leave to support you through important family milestones$5,250 per year in Tuition Reimbursement to invest in your continuous learning$500 per year Wellness reimbursement each year to encourage your holistic healthSabbaticals for all employees after 7 years of serviceFlexible work arrangements including Hybrid and Remote Work Options to fit your lifestyleAccess to welcoming physical office spaces in Seattle, Portland, and Astoria.

For more information about Craft3 culture, philosophy, and our Benefits visit our website at: www.craft3.org/about/careers

About the Job:

Reporting to the Commercial Lending Team Manager, the Business Lender at Craft3 is responsible for generating and underwriting new mission-based business loans and servicing a loan portfolio that meets Craft3’s mission, financial and risk goals. The primary focus of lending targets small and medium businesses in the Pacific Northwest, specifically those owned by minority, woman, veteran, and immigrant entrepreneurs and those located in low to moderate income/redevelopment areas.

Craft3’s commercial lending team focuses on making loans to entrepreneurs who have been unable to access or been denied bank financing. Committed to equity, we focus on historically disenfranchised and underserved populations. We help our borrowers understand the language of finance, access capital and grow their business. Mission-driven and service-oriented, we’re always looking to extend what is possible.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Craft3 reserves the right to change, add, or delete responsibilities and duties. Essential duties and responsibilities include some or all of the preceding; these are not, however, intended to be all-inclusive.The essential duties and responsibilities for this position are:

Business Development

Actively prospect for strategic business loan opportunities from multiple sources. Work with Craft3 Marketing professional to coordinate strategy and support. May specialize in a specific loan product or targeted market sectors.Meet prospective borrowers, collect information, evaluate loan requests, and negotiate loan terms and conditions.Determine the level of complexity, mission and strategy fit, and prospect’s readiness to borrow.Underwrite loans in accordance with policy or work cooperatively with assigned Underwriter to prepare detailed financial status and risk analysis of the borrowers' businesses.Present and defend loan proposals to loan committee based on effective critical thinking.Provide informal consulting to clients regarding business plans, projections, and business practices. Know and refer to effective Technical Assistance providers who will help prospects with basic pre- application work such as business plan review and feedback.Develop and manage referral network maintaining Craft3 brand in the marketplace with quality mission fit transactions to meet lender goals.Develop tactics to implement in strategic investment areas.Contribute to the body of knowledge, sharing best practices and suggest process improvement ideas.

Relationship Management

Demonstrate knowledge, advocacy, and anticipation of client needs to help build trust in the partnership.Support borrowers through open communications and balance their needs with Craft3’s.

Portfolio Management

Interact with a portfolio of clients and outstanding loans. This portfolio will include loan relationships initiated by the lender and other relationships that are originated by other lenders.Compliance for required financial information by the borrower.Complete analysis of borrower data and draws a conclusion if there is a change in the level of risk associated with the borrower.

Enterprise Risk Management & Systems

Report all emerging problem loans to management when weaknesses are detected.Monitor outstanding borrowers for conformance with loan conditions, business goals progress, and overall business performance.Manage portfolio risk in accordance with industry and organization standards and directives of the Credit Risk Manager.Participate in loan collections and enforcement actions when necessary.Follow established policies and procedures.Ensure approval models are correctly applied.Effectively use technology tools to perform required duties.Manage Personally Identifiable Information (PII) according to company procedure.

Cross Team Development

Collaborate with other Craft3 business units to streamline systems and processes.Assist in creating or delivering training to new staff members as appropriate.Participate fully with all members of the Craft3 team.Contribute to the body of knowledge, sharing best practices and suggest process improvement ideas.

Culture and Brand Management

Support the organization's All Team performance standards, Companywide Competencies.Demonstrate stewardship for the Craft3 Brand.

Authorities. Loan Approval

Limited approval authority as assigned.Full voting participation on Staff Loan Committee approvals, assigned to individuals in peer group, on a rotating basis.

Direct / Indirect Reports: This position is not responsible for supervising direct reports.

Knowledge and Experience:

Minimum three years’ experience in commercial banking, commercial lending, community development finance, strong credit and analytical skills; or equivalent combination of education and experience.Fluency in Spanish a plus.

Preferred Skills and Abilities:We encourage all candidates with diverse perspectives and backgrounds to apply regardless of whether you meet all the requirements of the job description. Some specific things we are looking for in this role are candidates who demonstrate:

Passion for improving Pacific Northwest Communities.Previous successful business ownership is highly desired.Provide in-depth analysis of financial statements, tax returns, projections and business plan as well as prospective borrower’s and guarantor’s historic and projected cash flows. Understands complex business transactions (multiple entities or guarantors, multiple funding partners, startups) and can summarize the salient risks and mitigants of the credit in a concise manner.Effective listening and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate issues over the phone, in person, and via email to a variety of audiences.Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.Understanding the implication of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision making.Excellent prioritization and organization skills and effective time management to succeed in a semi- autonomous, fast-paced environment.Ability to successfully work with colleagues located in local and satellite offices.Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Professional, file share systems, Contact Relationship Management application.

Travel:

A level of travel is to be expected with job responsibilities covering a geographic area that includes the States of Oregon and Washington, branch office visits and company events.

Physical DemandsFrequently requires use of manual dexterity and repetitive motions, primarily with the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. Must be able to occasionally list and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Craft3 is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Craft3 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination and make all hiring and employment decisions based on individual qualifications and merit. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, or to perform essential job functions, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at recruitment@craft3.org, 888-231-2170.

Employment offers may require final candidates to successfully complete and pass a background check prior to employment, consistent with business necessity and applicable federal, state and local law. We're actively working to create a workplace where everyone can thrive. We believe different perspectives make us stronger and help us better serve the Pacific Northwest.

The pay range for this role is:80,000 - 100,000 USD per year(Remote, WA / OR)