Loan & Grant Portfolio Manager

The Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation (UMEZ) is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (“CDFI”) with over $80 million in assets. For more than 30 years we have provided flexible capital to strengthen under-resourced communities in Upper Manhattan and beyond, facilitating increased job creation, corporate alliances, strategic investments, and small business assistance.Since inception, we have invested more than $250 million, leveraging over $1.5 billion in private capital investments in the neighborhoods that we serve. This funding has created nearly 12,000 direct jobs thus far.

Currently, we provide working capital and real estate financing to small businesses, developers, and nonprofit organizations across New York City. Our financing enables real estate developers and nonprofit organizations to build and renovate buildings to address community needs including office and retail space, and community services. It also helps small businesses, such as restaurants, bakeries, retail stores, and professional services, expand operations.

In addition, our grantmaking programs strengthen the capacity and stability of nonprofit workforce development and arts & cultural organizations in Upper Manhattan. Our workforce grants play a catalytic role in bolstering the workforce development ecosystem and facilitating residents’ access to training and employment pathways. With our cultural grants, we support cultural organizations and artist-driven projects that grow the local economy and foster the unique identities of communities across Upper Manhattan.

Job Title: Loan and Grant Portfolio Manager

Reports to: Chief Administrative Officer

Summary:

The Loan and Grant Portfolio Manager is a new position that is central to developing and implementing systems and practices to efficiently manage our financing and grant portfolios. The financing portfolio consists of small business, commercial real estate, and capital project bridge loans that range in size from $50,000 to $10 million. Our borrowers include developers, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses, such as restaurants and professional service companies. The grant portfolio is comprised of workforce development and arts & culture organizations working in Upper Manhattan. Our grants typically range from $10,000 to $50,000 and support individual artists, cultural institutions and well-established workforce development organizations.

The position will help UMEZ manage borrower relationships post-loan closing, including monitoring monthly payments and covenant compliance, in addition to overseeing portfolio-wide data management and reporting. The manager will also support the program and grant team in documenting, administering, and monitoring grants. Success in the role requires working collaboratively across the organization, particularly with the lending, program and grant, finance, and administrative teams.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Include the following, in addition to other duties as may be assigned:

Loan Monitoring

• Monitor loan repayments, interface with borrowers and third-party servicer to resolve issues
• Ensure the timely and accurate collection of borrower reports by developing and maintaining schedules and communicating with relevant parties
• Monitor borrower covenant compliance
• Oversee the annual review process; conduct quarterly and annual reviews
• Analyze portfolio trends and prepare portfolio reports for internal and external use
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure the smooth flow of timely and accurate information in support of capitalization efforts
• Stay informed of CDFI industry practices and trends, particularly as it relates to portfolio management

Grant Administration

• Manage the documentation and closing of grants to nonprofit organizations; develop and manage grant closing checklists; draft grant agreements; prepare grant drawdown memos; and collect and ensure accuracy of grantee closing documents
• Review grant disbursement requirements
• Coordinate with program staff to monitor grantee reporting and ensure compliance with requirements

UMEZ Organizational Compliance & Governance

• Track UMEZ’s compliance with funder and investor agreements
• Support the preparation of reports to third parties such as the CDFI Fund, financial institutions, and philanthropic entities, among others

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in business or finance
• 3-5 years of work experience, with 2+ years in portfolio management, preferably with a CDFI
• Proficiency in financial analysis and risk assessment, including spreading financial statements and tax returns and identifying potential risks
• Familiarity with typical commercial loan documents and grant agreements
• Strong time management, organizational abilities, and ability to multitask
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to prepare and present information and data in a manner appropriate for the intended audience
• High level of proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.) and a working knowledge of document management platforms
• Ability to work independently and interdependently
• An energetic and resourceful person with a strong interest in community development and community finance
• A strong affinity for building successful client relationships
• A self-starter; team player; strategic thinker; and creative problem solver
• English, Spanish a plus but not necessary

Compensation and Benefits

UMEZ is located in Upper Manhattan and has a hybrid work arrangement.After an initial 90-day period, staff are eligible to work two days a week from home.

UMEZ’s salary for this role at $103,000. The benefit package includes medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as a 401K plan, with an employer match, flexible spending accounts, short term & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and commuter benefits, in addition to paid time off.

Compensation and Benefits

UMEZ is located in Upper Manhattan and has a hybrid work arrangement.After an initial 90-day period, staff are eligible to work two days a week from home.

UMEZ’s salary for this role at $103,000. The benefit package includes medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as a 401K plan, with an employer match, flexible spending accounts, short term & long-term disability insurance, life insurance, and commuter benefits, in addition to paid time off.