Business Development Officer

ThinkingAhead Executive Search; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ThinkingAhead Executive Search is partnering with an established SBA Preferred Lender in Nashville to recruit a proven Business Development Officer. You will own the pipeline from first contact through closing, backed by strong internal credit and closing support.

In this senior business development role, you will prospect SBA and USDA B&I opportunities, guide borrowers through the application process, and ensure compliance with SBA SOP and lending regulations while building relationships with

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience, including direct SBA loan origination — must have recent experience originating at an SBA Preferred Lender
• Proficient knowledge of the SBA SOP, loan programs, and applicable federal and state lending regulations
• Strong credit analysis skills and the ability to structure complex transactions within program guidelines
• A self-starter mentality — you manage your pipeline proactively, not reactively
• Highly effective communication and presentation skills across borrowers, referral partners, and internal stakeholders
• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or related field

Responsibilities

• Actively prospect and originate SBA real estate, non-real estate, and USDA B&I loan opportunities in the business marketplace
• Serve as the external face of the bank's government-guaranteed lending program and the subject matter expert guiding borrowers from application through funding
• Analyze financial statements, assess initial credit qualification, and counsel clients on SBA/USDA program fit and requirements
• Collect and manage all documentation required for processing, underwriting, and closing in partnership with internal credit and closing teams
• Identify and refer cross-sell opportunities in commercial lending, treasury management, and retail banking
• Maintain a healthy, proactively managed pipeline and provide regular reporting to leadership

Skills

SBA loan origination

Credit analysis

Pipeline management

Communication

Presentation skills

Business development

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/finance

Tools

SBA SOP

Lending regulations

Job description

Our Client is an established SBA Preferred Lender seeking a proven Business Development Officer to drive origination of SBA and USDA B&I loan products. This is a true business development role — you will own your pipeline from first contact through closing, backed by strong internal credit and closing support.

What You'll Do

• Actively prospect and originate SBA real estate, non-real estate, and USDA B&I loan opportunities in the business marketplace
• Serve as the external face of the bank's government-guaranteed lending program and the subject matter expert guiding borrowers from application through funding
• Analyze financial statements, assess initial credit qualification, and counsel clients on SBA/USDA program fit and requirements
• Collect and manage all documentation required for processing, underwriting, and closing in partnership with internal credit and closing teams
• Identify and refer cross-sell opportunities in commercial lending, treasury management, and retail banking
• Maintain a healthy, proactively managed pipeline and provide regular reporting to leadership

What You Bring

• 8+ years of experience, including direct SBA loan origination — must have recent experience originating at an SBA Preferred Lender
• Proficient knowledge of the SBA SOP, loan programs, and applicable federal and state lending regulations
• Strong credit analysis skills and the ability to structure complex transactions within program guidelines
• A self-starter mentality — you manage your pipeline proactively, not reactively
• Highly effective communication and presentation skills across borrowers, referral partners, and internal stakeholders
• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, or related field