Svp, Community Economic Development

Hope Enterprise Corporation

Recognized as one of the largest, and most successful Black and Women owned credit unions in the nation, HOPE continues to build its brand and impact by expanding access to financial services and engaging in advocacy to mitigate the extent to which factors such as race, gender, birthplace and wealth limit one's ability to prosper. Since 1994, HOPE has generated more than $3.6 billion in community development financing that has benefitted more than 2 million people in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and nationwide. This work has supported small business owners struggling to gain access to capital, families seeking to own homes and individuals looking for a better way to manage their hard-earned money with a financial institution they can trust. This work has not gone unrecognized.

In 2022, HOPE was named one of Fast Company's 10 most innovative companies reflecting current events. The recognition honors companies for innovative work on the most pressing issues of the day including COVID-19 response, the climate crisis, mental health and economic inequality.

Position Summary

The Community & Economic Development (CED) Department facilitates investments in community infrastructure including healthcare facilities, charter schools, and other community facilities, affordable housing, fresh food retailers, infrastructure projects and connects communities with HOPE resources and expertise. The CED team's work includes managing, structuring, and leading the organization's business development for New Markets Tax Credit financing, the USDA Community Facilities Relending Program, and debt associated with specialized sources such as Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.

The Senior Vice President (SVP) for Community & Economic Development will manage and develop community and economic development programs and lead, coach and develop a team of Commercial Loan Officers in assigned geographies within the company's market.

The Market Leader will collaborate with retail and other segments to leverage the credit union's full suite of products and services. The Market Leader will lead and coordinate strategy for the market and will be actively involved in the communities in Alabama. The SVP will maintain contact with and conduct outreach to a range of community and economic development entities. These could include advocacy organizations and service providers, health care providers, charter schools, housing developers and providers, trade associations, community development and faith-based organizations, lenders, economic developers, funders, public agencies, elected officials, civic groups, entrepreneurs and others. This position requires considerable judgment, creativity, organization and time management. Duties and skills include but are not limited to representing the organization in the community; managing a wide range of partnerships; program and project management; strong composition and editing of varied written materials.

Primary and Essential Functions

• Manage community and economic development programs, which may focus on financing programs for education and health care facilities, affordable housing, fresh food retailers, rural community facilities, or other HOPE priorities.

• Strong focus on business development of projects and borrowers in program areas and to grow Hope's presence in the market.

• Manage business development activity of the commercial lending and community and economic development staff in the local area. Work closely with the commercial credit team to structure financial transactions to meet programmatic and funder guidelines, and to maximize community impact.

• Develop and implement regional plans in conjunction with senior leadership.

• Manage and coach Commercial Loan Officers on business development activities and establish goals.

• Mentors Loan Officers and provide oversight in close coordination with portfolio management of the Loan Officer's review of existing loan portfolio including receipt of timely financials, outreach and site visits. Ensures that loan officers communicate and receive timely information prior to loan maturities, extensions, or modifications.

• In collaboration with the VP Senior Credit Officer and VP Business Development Officer, provides guidance, insights, and feedback on structuring, underwriting, and presentation of new loan requests and/or loan modifications. This includes working closely with the Loan Officer, Underwriting and Loan Closing team.

• Establish and manage partner relationships with non-profits, developers, public agencies, technical assistance providers, other lenders, etc.

• Serve as a member of HOPE's New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) team and OZ Fund, which includes developing a pipeline of projects in need of NMTC structuring, investments, closing financing for deals, and assisting with reporting and compliance requirements.

• Provide technical assistance to community partners and borrowers and connect borrowers with technical assistance to meet needs as identified.

• Analytical skills and ability to think critically, exhibited by the ability to take information from a wide variety of sources and synthesize/analyze the information in the context of HOPE's mission.

Secondary Functions

• Manage program reporting and compliance, including monitoring for assigned

• Generate reports and information required for management and reporting

• Monitor market trends and gather and update relevant community development program information and market

• Support investor relations efforts, including assisting in grant

• Work closely with other program areas of HOPE, Investor Relations, the mortgage lending team, the Hope Policy Institute, and HOPE

• Contribute to strategic planning

• In coordination with the SVP, Commercial Credit Officer and management staff, supports the financial and risk goals of HOPE's lending activity.

• Support and collaborate with the Corporate Project Manager to support project management activities for successful new project/product dev This role may lead a project.

• Help support HOPE's membership and deposit growth

• Help support HOPE's loan production and performance

• Help support HOPE's revenue generation

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to form relationships and network with co-unity members and other leaders, partners, borrowers, members, and potential clients

• Strong written and communication skills

• Passion and dedication to HOPE 's mission and work

• Ability to multi-task and to excel in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent customer service skills

• A professional and resourceful style; the ability to work independently, as a team player; and the initiative to take responsibility to address issues as needs arise.

Desired Qualifications

• Master 's degree in public policy, business finance, non-profit management, community development, or related field and at least ten years of experience in community development, commercial lending, program management, financial structuring or performing the duties described in the "Essential Duties and Responsibilities" section above is required

• With no master's degree, at least fifteen years of experience in community development, commercial lending, financial structuring, and performing the duties described in the "'Essential Duties and Responsibilities" section above is required.

• Demonstrated experience managing community and economic development programs