Director of Small Business

About the Role  

Are you passionate about fostering economic justice and empowering underinvested communities? Do you have the vision and expertise to lead innovative small business programs while expanding access to capital? If so, this might be the perfect opportunity for you!

DBEDC is seeking a passionate Director to lead our Small Business team. This role plays a pivotal role in advancing DBEDC’s mission to empower underinvested communities. This position oversees small business team operations, including loan fund management, program innovation, community outreach, marketing, and product and service development.

This role collaborates with the CEO on strategies to expand capital access, enhance programming, and solidify DBEDC’s role as a leading Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in Massachusetts. The successful candidate must possess the analytical, financial, and business development skills to excel in a lending-focused environment and effectively support small businesses. If you’re driven to make a difference and ready to take on a leadership role in advancing equity and economic justice, we encourage you to apply today! 

What you can expect to do in the role

Lead with Innovation

• Partner with the CEO to develop lending strategies that prioritize equity and economic justice.
• Lead department operations, including program design, data collection, compliance, outreach, and marketing.
• Innovate and refine technical assistance offerings, delivering workshops, one-on-one support, and events for small businesses in DBEDC’s service area.
• Enhance the microlending pipeline by improving existing loan products and processes and designing new products to address evolving business needs.

Empower a Team

• Supervise and develop a high-performing team, including a Portfolio Manager, Senior Loan Officer, and Loan Officer, to achieve measurable outcomes.
• Coordinate workloads, conduct performance evaluations, and provide growth opportunities for team members, emphasizing accountability, equity, and innovation.

Drive Sustainability

• Develop and manage the department’s budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with organizational goals.
• Collaborate with the finance team to monitor operations and ensure sound systems management.
• Utilize data analysis and CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce) to inform decision-making, improve workflows, and increase program transparency and efficiency.
• Collaborate with the Resource Development team to identify and pursue funding opportunities.
• Contribute to grant proposals, applications, reports, and promotional materials to secure funding and articulate program impact.
• Participate in donor engagements to support capital-raising efforts.

Represent and Collaborate

• Act as an ambassador for DBEDC’s small business programming, engaging with businesses, civic groups, partners, and stakeholders.
• Represent DBEDC at engagement events and ecosystem gatherings to promote the organization’s capital and technical assistance offerings.
• Build and strengthen relationships with local, state, and federal agencies, including the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the CDFI Fund, the City of Boston’s Small Business Team, and Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). 

• Actively contribute to the senior leadership team, participating in organizational decision-making and advising the CEO on key issues.

   

What we are looking for (Required Qualifications)  

• A Strategic Leader: With at least five years of managerial experience and a proven track record of leading high-performing teams to deliver measurable results. You’ll bring comprehensive knowledge of small business ecosystems and mission-driven resources.
• Small Business Expertise: You must have at least three years of experience delivering technical assistance or capital to small businesses or microenterprises, ideally within a CDFI or financial institution focused on microlending or community development.
• A Community Champion: Deeply committed to DBEDC’s mission and principles of economic justice, with experience serving underserved markets, engaging community partners, and advancing racial equity through your work.
• An Innovator: Excelling in program development and scaling, leveraging technology to streamline workflows and enhance program impact.
• A Data-Driven Decision Maker: Skilled in data collection, analysis, and budget management, ensuring program sustainability through informed financial and operational planning.
• Resourceful and Impactful: Experienced in grant writing and fulfillment, translating program successes into compelling deliverables.
• A Relationship Builder: With exceptional communication and problem-solving skills, forging strong connections with stakeholders, partners, and team members.
• Entrepreneurial and Action-Oriented: Positive energy, enthusiasm, and a bias for action, tackling challenges with a proactive and results-driven mindset.
• Adaptable and Resilient: Comfortable with navigating ambiguity and change, approaching challenges with urgency and motivation, and using growth-oriented thinking.
• Tech-Savvy: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, databases, and collaboration tools, embracing new technologies to drive efficiency.
• An Effective Communicator: Exceptional in written and verbal English, confidently engaging in constructive conflict resolution and collaborative problem-solving.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of small business lending practices or a willingness to learn quickly.
• Proficiency in Salesforce or similar loan tracking tools.
• Fluency in Spanish, Cape Verdean Kriol, or Haitian Kreyol is a plus.
• Relevant lived experience that aligns with the communities we serve.

Other important details 

• This is not remote. You’ll need the flexibility to work occasional early mornings, evenings, or weekends and must be able to travel locally, statewide, and nationally.
• Don’t be discouraged from applying if you don’t “check all the boxes.” We appreciate the uniqueness of candidates, and there is no “perfect" resume! 
• Salary range: $125,000 – 140,000 

Benefits 

DBEDC proudly offers a total compensation package that goes above and beyond, supporting your health, wellbeing, and work-life balance. Here’s what you can look forward to:

Health and Wellness

• Choose from five generous medical insurance packages with no waiting period.
• Employer-paid dental and vision coverage to keep you smiling.
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts and the Dependent Care Assistance Program for added flexibility.
• Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, and Accidental Death coverage for peace of mind.
• On-demand Employee Wellbeing Services to help you thrive.

Lifestyle and Perks

• Save on your commute with the Commuter Benefits Program.
• Access exclusive discounts through our Perks at Work Program.
• Enjoy a flexible hybrid work environment, balancing work and life with ease.

Time Off That Works for You

• Generous amount of vacation time to recharge and relax.
• Seventeen paid holidays, including your birthday, because you deserve to celebrate.
• Fifteen sick days for when you need to rest and recover.
• Three personal days for life’s unexpected moments.
• Five volunteer days to give back.

Future-Focused Benefits

• Save for your future with our 403(b)-retirement plan, featuring a generous employer contribution.

Professional Development

• Grow your career with access to professional development opportunities, including workshops, conferences, and training programs.
• Collaborate and learn in a dynamic environment that encourages innovation and skill-building.

At DBEDC, we’re not just offering benefits, we’re investing in you! Join us and experience a workplace that values your wellbeing and success while building a brighter future for Dorchester and beyond!

About Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC)

DBEDC is a Community Development Corporation (CDC) and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Founded in 1979, we work to build a strong, thriving, and diverse community in Boston’s North Dorchester and Roxbury neighborhoods. We develop, preserve, and sustain affordable rental and ownership housing. We lend capital to and coach small businesses and prepare job seekers for well-paying, sustainable employment. We stabilize tenancies and foster community leadership. We’re focused on equitable development without displacement and providing opportunities for economic mobility.

We are one of Boston’s legacy agencies and most established community development organizations, with an annual operating budget of approximately $11 million and a staff of 32.

At DBEDC, we believe that diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence are essential to our mission of serving and uplifting our communities. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color; members of the LGBTQ+ community; people with disabilities; those from unconventional career paths; and anyone who can bring fresh perspectives and lived experiences to our team. Together, we aim to build an organization that reflects and celebrates the vibrant diversity of the communities we serve.