Community Development Consultant

At Stearns Bank, we’re helping people, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and local communities nationwide reach their full financial potential. Sound like something you want to be a part of? If so, we’re currently looking for a Community Development Consultant to join our team! We are currently seeking candidates based in the Greater Phoenix area with the ability to work remotely to manage community development in the Southwest Region of the United States.

Come see how we’re doing business unusual and charting our own path to reimagine a more inclusive financial services and banking ecosystem for all. 

Benefits

Stearns Bank understands and respects that everyone is managing unique career, family, and wellness needs. That’s why we offer industry-leading benefits to employees to help them live healthy lives and bring their full selves to work every day. Benefits may vary for part-time positions. Some of those benefits include: 

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan & 401k Plan with Employer Match
• Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision, Telehealth, Life insurance)
• 12-week Paid Medical Leave
• Paid Parental Leave: 21-weeks Primary Care Parent, 14-weeks Secondary Care Parent
• $5,000 Family Care Reimbursement
  1. Childcare, Elder Care, Student Loan Debt, Pet expenses, down payment assistance
• $1,000 Self Improvement Allowance
• PTO from 13 to 23 days depending on tenure. Cashout and Carryover options.
• 10 Days Sick Time
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 4 Days Volunteer Time
• 2 Days Self Allowance Time
• Tuition Assistance

Starting annual salary of $80,000.00. Employment offers will be dependent upon the selected candidate’s relevant qualifications and experience.

The Community Development Consultant is responsible for the development and maintenance of relationships with integral community groups, external agencies, and other key stakeholders within the community. Representing Stearns Bank to the community at large, this position is a principal ambassador for the Bank, sharing the company’s mission and fostering business relationships to position Stearns Bank as the preeminent resource for financial empowerment.

This person will execute on the bank's LMI and DEI-driven business growth and delivery strategies, emphasizing enhancing access to banking services and capital for underserved markets. They will collaborate across business units and external partners to align the bank’s goals with community needs, regulatory requirements and business growth opportunities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

STRATEGY, PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

• Provides thought leadership and input to drive overall community development (CD) strategies.
• Assists Community Development Officer and team leadership in the development of an annual community development strategy, including structured market plans for building and maintaining outreach, programs, and activities that will advance department and company goals.
• Partners with department leadership and appropriate cross-departmental collaborators to develop company and departmental strategies in support of: 
  1. Business development and deposit/loan generation.
  2. Regional and local events, such as Bank and community events, key stakeholder meetings, business training, and other events to establish Stearns Bank as a go-to resource.
• Identify and develop strategies and affiliations with business partners that reflect the communities we serve and design programs addressing the unique needs of low to moderate income individuals as well as women and minority owned business.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities to partner with CDFIs or other Institutions to expand financial inclusion in underserved and minority communities.
• Develop partnerships with CDFIs to enhance capital access, diversity the bank’s product offerings, and share best practices for serving underserved populations.
• Coordinate loan participation and risk-sharing opportunities with CDFIs to expand the bank’s lending capacity for high-impact projects.

MANAGEMENT & EXECUTION

• Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, non-profits, government agencies, developers, CDCs and CDFIs to deepen the bank’s role in promoting economic equity. 
• Partner with CDCs, CDFIs, developers and government agencies to maximize funding opportunities and drive impactful housing solutions. 
• Finds opportunities to advance the Bank’s CRA needs within specified markets and works with departmental leadership to develop programs and set goals.
• Builds opportunities to support the Bank’s dedication to expand financial literacy by facilitating programming.
• Meets or exceeds all deposit and lending goals. 

ANALYSIS & REPORTING

• Maintains and evaluates the performance of all key community development activities through detailed reporting against established goals.
• Monitors and reports on the bank’s CRA performance related to CD activities, including donations, sponsorships, and volunteerism.

SUPPORT

• Provides support for the CD team in the development and implementation of key initiatives, as directed.
• Participates in planning and organization of special programs and events, as needed.
• Performs other duties within the scope of the department as assigned.
• Maintains a positive work atmosphere by acting and communicating in a manner to work effectively and cooperatively with coworkers, leadership, and outside partners.
• Observes and enforces all company personnel, quality, security, and safety policies.
• Maintains a solid understanding of all legal and regulatory compliance issues as they pertain to this position.

REQUIREMENTS

• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 lbs.  
• Literacy in English.
• Ability to sit for extended periods; twist, bend, sit, walk, and use hands to twist, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, such as computer mouse, computer keyboard, calculator, stapler, telephone, staple puller, etc.; reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, kneel, talk, or hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to travel up to 15%.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or business-related field.
• 3-5 years of related experience.
• Strong desire to work with small businesses and community organizations from start-up, emerging business, and established business levels.
• Passionate, self-starter with strong initiative.
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate and work effectively as a team.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to deadlines and details.
• Effective decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of community development theories, principles, and practices.
• Research and analytical skills.
• Project and program management skills.
• Facilitation and mediation skills.
• Resource mobilization and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of CRA regulatory compliance requirements is a plus.

THE COMPANY

Founded in 1912, Stearns Financial Services Inc. (SFSI) is a $3.2 billion, independently owned financial institution with locations in Minnesota, Florida and Arizona, and over 35,000 small business customers nationwide. Specializing in affordable housing financing, USDA and SBA lending, and small business and equipment financing, Stearns Bank is regularly recognized as one of the country’s top-performing banks and “Best Banks to Work For” by American Banker. 

As a Star Tribune Top Workplaces award recipient and an award recipient of the Minnesota Business Magazine 100 Best Places to Work in Minnesota, Stearns takes pride in their team and holds their employees in extremely high regard. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package including our Employee Stock Ownership Program-one of the best long-term incentive programs in the nation. To learn more about Stearns Bank, visit www. StearnsBank.com

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER /AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, or creed, religion, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status, status with regard to public assistance, or any other class protected by Federal, State, local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.