Executive Director

Position Summary

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall executive leadership and management of GNEC, including: revenue generation and fundraising, financial management; outreach and marketing; partnering with stakeholders and allied organizations; developing new products and services; supervising the origination and servicing of loans and post-loan business advisory services; ensuring

compliance with GNEC’s funding sources, and staff supervision; and supporting its Board of Directors, Loan Committee and other committees.
Responsibilities

Leadership

• Identify, assess, and inform the Board of Directors of internal and external issues that affect the organization.
• Foster effective team dynamics between the Board and the Executive Director (ED) and between the Board, ED, and staff.
• Lead, coach, develop, supervise and retain GNEC’s staff.
• Lead relationship and partnership development with donors, allied organizations, and policymakers.
• Ability to negotiate effectively and form partnerships with both private and public sector financing entities

Program Planning & Management

• Direct the implementation of GNEC’s strategic plan.
• Design and pilot innovative tools and programs to open and expand lending and revenue-generating opportunities aligned with GNEC’s mission.
• Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of programs and services.
• Prepare timely and accurate reports to GNEC Board of Directors and its Committees.
• Maintain partnership and work with the GNEC Board of Directors and its committees.
• Supervise and maintain monitoring and evaluation (including preparation of compliance reporting) with the CDFI and other funding partners.

Revenue Generation & Fundraising

• Develop and implement a fundraising plan to support GNEC’s operations, seeking donations from businesses and individuals.
• Identify grant opportunities and prepare applications to public and private funders to support ongoing costs of programs and operations.
• Identify grant opportunities and prepare applications to appropriate funders including the SBA, CDFI and other private foundations and state and federal agencies to raise loan capital as needed.
• Identify and mobilize sources of low or no-interest loans that may be re-loaned
• Advocate for funding and policy initiatives related to GNEC at the State and Federal level.
• Identify other revenue-generating opportunities including contract income, income through participation on larger grant opportunities, and income through program activates.

Financial Management

• Provide overall financial management of GNEC in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Manage annual audit including preparation of RFP as needed, recommendation to board for selection of CPA firm, provision of necessary financial data to auditors, and preparation of response to management letter, if any.
• Ensure compliance with all grants. Oversee preparation of financial and programmatic reports to funders and other agencies as required.
• Work with staff and Board to prepare an annual budget and amendments as needed.
• Ensure that sound bookkeeping and accounting best practices are followed.
• Provide the treasurer and board with regular financial reports.

Lending

• Exercise loan decision-making authority granted in GNEC’s Loan Policies.
• Oversee recruitment, orientation and ongoing support for the Loan Committee.
• Oversee loan portfolio including management of loan pipeline, risk management, and loan workouts.
• Provide reports and support for the GNEC’s portfolio risk policy.
• Take appropriate collection actions on loans outstanding to GNEC.
• Coordinate pre- and post-loan technical assistance program.

Human Resource Planning & Management

• Supervise GNEC staff; complete annual performance appraisals.
• Hold regular staff meetings.
• Determine staff requirements and make recommendations to the Board for inclusion in the operating budget.
• Recruit, interview and select staff that have the right skills and personal abilities to further GNEC’s mission.
• Coach and mentor staff to be responsible and accountable team members.

External Relations

• Coordinate and implement the marketing of GNEC.
• Ensure the organization maintains excellent relationships with business technical assistance providers, economic development organizations, partner financial institutions, other resources available to serve applicants and borrowers, and other GNEC stakeholders and partners throughout GNEC’s target markets.
• Manage and encourage the further development of GNEC as a mission-based lender. Design and oversee the implementation of new services.
• Serve as chief spokesperson for GNEC.

Qualifications

• The Executive Director should have a minimum of three years’ experience providing financial products, services, and technical assistance, preferably with a CDFI, HUD or SBA lender.
• Bachelor’s degree required (MA/MS preferred) in a business or finance-related field, or a combination of skills and experience commensurate with graduate-level education.
• Strong grant writing and fundraising skills
• Demonstrated excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Detailed knowledge of accounting and finance.
• Experience working with governmental stakeholders, including compliance and reporting.
• Clear and concise communication skills – written and oral.
• Effective management skills.
• Experience operating in a small nonprofit environment.
• Experience working with low-to-moderate income individuals.
• Experience working with small and micro-level businesses.
• Energy, vision and flexibility to help drive growth in an entrepreneurial organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate or advanced degree, with 8+ years of development lending, finance, and/or economic development experience.
• Lending background, preferably in an SBA or CDFI environment.
• Knowledge of economic development issues in urban communities.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Knowledge of accounting principles and finance.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Clear and concise communication skills – written and oral.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the challenges faced by low-income individuals seeking to become economically self-sufficient.
• GNEC provides a competitive salary and excellent fringe benefits for this position.

Work Location:

• One location

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off