Capital Access Manager

Together SC; Charleston (SC); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Paid holidays

SIMPLE-IRA matching

Cell phone stipend

Health stipend

Parental leave

Professional development stipend

Job summary

Lowcountry Local First in Charleston seeks a Capital Access Manager to coordinate the Kiva Hub and the Community Business Academy, advancing local entrepreneurship and access to capital.

You will recruit and train volunteers, oversee data management, and provide coaching and support to entrepreneurs through programs and partnerships. This role requires a passion for local, independent businesses and solid small business finance knowledge, with occasional evenings/weekends for events.

Qualifications

• Passion for supporting emerging entrepreneurs and local independent businesses.
• Firm understanding of small business finances.
• Ability to manage staff and volunteers across programs.

Responsibilities

• Teach or manage multiple cohorts of the Community Business Academy annually.
• Recruit and enroll prospective students; handle program tasks.
• Coordinate Graduate Services and alumni support.
• Ensure accurate recordkeeping and client confidentiality.
• Organize workshops based on funding and needs of graduates.
• Conduct outreach to build a Kiva borrower pipeline.
• Review Kiva applications and support borrowers through fundraising.
• Collaborate with marketing to promote funded Kiva profiles.

Skills

Community outreach

Training programs

Recruitment

Job description

Lowcountry Local First advances economic prosperity and local ownership through inclusive and innovative initiatives that build our community’s wealth and wellbeing. We are an entrepreneurial nonprofit organization made up of more than 800 local businesses and community leaders working to transform and model a sustainable local economy. Direct your passion and exceptional skills to support a community of innovative, local, independent businesses and entrepreneurs.

SUMMARY

Lowcountry Local First transforms lives and communities by providing training and resources to entrepreneurs, increasing access to capital and encouraging local business ownership. The Capital Access Manager should have a passion for supporting emerging entrepreneurs and supporting local, independent businesses and a firm understanding of small business finances. The Capital Access Manager will divide their time between staffing the Lowcountry Kiva Hub and providing training and support to entrepreneurs through the Community Business Academy and associated programs:

Kiva Hub:

• Staff and activate access to the Lowcountry Kiva Hub (a resource designed to increase access to crowdfunded microloans of $1,000-$15,000 for area small businesses) throughout Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties
• Recruit, train and support both existing and new Kiva Trustees (organizational partners)
• Recruit, train and support both existing program Advisors and new Advisors who will vet, endorse and act as technical assistance providers to Kiva borrowers

Community Business Academy:

• Community Business Academy: A 13-week course offering hands‑on training in business planning and management for existing and aspiring entrepreneurs
• Graduate Support Services: encourage connections to a year‑round suite of services designed to help graduates of the Community Business Academy take their business to the next level (networking events, meetups, workshops, commercial space advising, and the Local Expertise Exchange)
• Ready, Set, Pitch!: manage the behind-the-scenes lead-up to an annual pitch event for program graduates who receive coaching and compete for a monetary grand prize to invest in their business (offered in alternate years in Spanish and in English)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Capital Access Manager will perform a wide-range of duties including:

• Teach or manage (contracting with and supervising instructors and/or class monitors) 1-2 cohorts of the Community Business Academy each year
• Recruit and help prospective students enroll in and complete the program including handling program administrative tasks
• Facilitate Graduate Services (see above)
• Ensure that student and graduate data are up to date and accurate; oversee the collection and maintenance of records and ensure client confidentiality/privacy
• Coordinate workshops based on available funding and the professional development needs of our program’s graduates
• Conduct outreach to build a pipeline of Kiva borrowers by participating in outreach events and working with ecosystem partners
• Review new Kiva applications help Kiva borrowers throughout the fundraising process, and conduct routine monthly outreach and reminders to borrowers
• Work with the marketing team to spread the word about currently funding Kiva profiles
• Manage the Pitch in alternate years (see above)
• Conduct outreach for the annual Community Business Academy survey

Working Conditions

The Capital Access Manager works in an office environment, but the mission of the organization may sometimes take them to non-standard workplaces. The Capital Access Manager works a standard work week but will be required to work some evenings and/or occasional weekends for outreach, workshops, events, and to monitor program activities. We will work with the Capital Access Manager to ensure appropriate comp time.

Benefits

• Three weeks of paid time off in year one, with increases annually
• Eight paid holidays (including MLK Day, Juneteenth, and your birthday), PLUS Dec. 24th through Jan 1st
• 3% company matching SIMPLE-IRA retirement fund (after three months of employment)
• Monthly cell phone stipend
• Health Access Solutions preventative plan and monthly stipend
• Parental leave up to [14] weeks (after one year of employment), including four [4] weeks paid leave in addition to any Paid Time Off employee would like to utilize
• Annual stipend provided for professional development

Equal Opportunity Employer

We’re an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to ongoing organizational improvements to create an inclusive environment for all employees. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Work may be performed indoors and outdoors during all but the most severe weather. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must frequently lift or move objects weighing up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of the activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.