Lending/Loan Operations

Opportunity Finance Network; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Parental leave

Disability coverage

Hybrid work stipend

403(b) retirement plan

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Wellness time

Job summary

Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) is a nonprofit lender dedicated to helping small businesses access capital across Colorado. The Rural Community Loan Officer role focuses on expanding capital access, building partnerships with banks and economic development groups, and supporting entrepreneurs who lack traditional financing.

The position offers a hybrid work setup with travel to the Denver headquarters for onboarding and later transitions to a territory-based, mostly remote model.

Qualifications

• Exposure to underwriting or loan structuring in a prior role.
• At least two years of hands-on commercial or small-business lending experience.
• Demonstrated business development experience, including success in both cold and warm lead generation.
• Familiarity with rural economies and underserved markets.
• Flexibility to work across cultures and work styles.
• Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM systems.

Responsibilities

• Expand access to capital across Rural Colorado by connecting local small businesses and entrepreneurs with CEF’s resources.
• Build referral partnerships with local banks, financial institutions, and economic development organizations.
• Travel to the Denver headquarters during onboarding; later transition to a territory-based remote model.

Skills

Underwriting exposure

Loan structuring

Commercial lending experience

Business development

Cultural adaptability

CRM familiarity

Education

Associate’s degree (preferred) in Business, Accounting, Finance, Economics or related field

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Are you passionate about helping small business owners access capital and succeed beyond the loan?

Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) is a nonprofit business lending organization dedicated to the success of small businesses in Colorado. We provide access to capital for Colorado small businesses that are unable to access traditional financing. Our primary focus includes business owners who may be low-to-moderate income, minorities, women, or veterans. We’re committed to creating meaningful impact in Colorado’s communities by providing equitable and affordable business financing for entrepreneurs who cannot access bank loans or other financial resources.

Why This Role Matters

At CEF, we see our community impact through job creation, wealth building for disadvantaged populations, and the growth and success of the businesses we fund. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), we offer loans, grants, and free business coaching to entrepreneurs to help them succeed.

Colorado small business owners and entrepreneurs seek assistance from our organization in moving towards the major step of asking for financial loans that they have not been able to find from traditional resources such as banks.

Summary

Mission-Driven Team, Real Community Impact

The team led by the Director of Strategic Lending, specializes in offering affordable, flexible loan solutions to those who are not able to qualify for traditional financing throughout Colorado.

As a Rural Community Loan Officer, you will expand access to capital impact across Rural Colorado by connecting local small businesses, entrepreneurs, and community members with CEF’s resources. Your role focuses on proactive daily business development activities-building referral partnerships with local banks, financial institutions, economic development organizations and the community at large.

CEF offers a hybrid work environment with a blend of in-person connection and opportunities to be remote. Candidates must be Colorado-based and can expect to travel to our Denver headquarters two to three days per week during the initial onboarding period. After this onboarding period, travel requirements will gradually decrease as the Loan Officer transitions into a more remote-focused, territory-based model, while maintaining periodic on-site collaboration.

At Colorado Enterprise Fund, we believe in a skills-first approach to recruitment and employment. This means focusing on what you can do and how you can grow, rather than traditional metrics alone. We are committed to adhering to anti-exclusion practices, removing barriers to access, and enhancing opportunities for all individuals based on merit and potential.

Responsibilities

As a Rural Community Loan Officer, you will expand access to capital impact across Rural Colorado by connecting local small businesses, entrepreneurs, and community members with CEF’s resources. Your role focuses on proactive daily business development activities-building referral partnerships with local banks, financial institutions, economic development organizations and the community at large.

Requirements

What You Bring

• Associate’s degree preferred in Business, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field (relevant coursework will also be considered).
• Exposure to underwriting or loan structuring in a prior role.
• At least two years of hands-on commercial or small-business lending experience.
• Demonstrated business development experience, including proven success in both cold and warm lead generation-and the skills to turn those leads into lasting relationships.
• Familiarity with rural economies and underserved markets.
• Flexibility and agility to effectively communicate and interact across a broad range of cultures, personalities, and work styles.
• Technical proficiency in using business software applications, including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite, and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems.

Compensation and Benefits

As an established CDFI, we offer the following benefits:

• Health, vision, dental and life insurance, paid parental leave, as well as 100% employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• CEF also offers a monthly hybrid work stipend, and a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match up to 5% of an employee’s contribution.
• Our paid time off policies include ten (10) paid holidays per year, fifteen (15) days paid vacation to start, with an increase in year two, along with paid health and wellness time.