United States onlyCome Grow with Us and Join an Award-Winning Organization! Stearns Bank is looking for a Community Development Consultant. This is a remote-eligible position headquartered out of St. Cloud, Minnesota.
JOB SUMMARY
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.
Starting annual salary of $80,000.00. Employment offers will be dependent upon the selected candidate’s relevant qualifications and experience.
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:
- Business development and lead generation.
- 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.
MANAGEMENT & EXECUTION
- Develops and maintains a network of regional community partners, including but not limited to businesses, nonprofits, associations, government and civic organizations to:
- Establish a system for ongoing business referrals.
- Grow and cultivate advocates for Stearns Bank.
- Identify innovative and creative solutions to meet community needs.
- 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.
- Executes departmental community development plans to meet established 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 $2.4 billion well-capitalized, independent financial holding company based in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Specializing in nationwide small business lending and equipment financing, Stearns has maintained outstanding customer service, fast decisions, and customized finance solutions to their customers for decades.
Stearns Bank has earned itself a stellar reputation amongst customers and competitors alike. This reputation goes beyond just word-of-mouth, as Stearns has been recognized by the Independent Community Banker’s Association (ICBA) as a top-performing bank in the nation based on a 3-year average Return on Assets for banks $1 billion or more. Stearns has also been recognized by American Banker as a top-performing bank in the nation over a 3-year period for Return on Equity for banks from $2 billion to $10 billion.
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.
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.
