Business Navigator (Full-Time)
About The Position
Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF), a nonprofit business lending organization and Community Development Financial Institution, is hiring a Business Navigator to provide coaching, tools, and resources to Colorado entrepreneurs before and after they receive loans. The role supports small business owners—particularly those who may be low-to-moderate income, minorities, women, or veterans—in preparing for financing and strengthening their businesses. The position is led by the Director of Business Navigation and involves borrower-facing communication, financial and business consulting, community outreach, and coordination with internal teams. Business Navigators work with entrepreneurs on matters such as financial documents, cash flow and profit-and-loss statements, workforce development, operations, profitability, and marketing. The role includes analyzing prospective loan inquiries, helping borrowers become loan-ready, coaching assigned portfolio clients, developing action plans, and delivering workshops and other community programming. Employees must be based in Colorado and travel to CEF’s Denver headquarters at least one day per week. The work environment is hybrid, combining in-person and remote work.
Requirements
- At least five years of experience as a small business owner or in other relevant entrepreneurial work.
- At least three years of experience as a small business coach.
- Advanced business communication skills, including the ability to teach financial literacy and explain financial concepts and strategies to clients with varying levels of experience.
- Strong understanding of credit analysis fundamentals and the ability to make preliminary creditworthiness decisions.
- Comprehensive understanding of small business operations, best practices, challenges, and risks affecting entrepreneurs.
- Working knowledge of small business financial documentation and accounting practices.
- Ability to recognize cultural differences and work respectfully and flexibly across cultures, backgrounds, personalities, and working styles.
- Bachelor’s degree related to business, or equivalent work experience.
- Proficiency with business software applications, including Microsoft Office and CRM systems.
- Experience using spreadsheets such as Excel or Google Sheets, including creating formulas and formatting for readability.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working in an accounting or commercial lending environment.
Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive financial analysis for small business owners and entrepreneurs at the request of loan officers.
- Review prospective customer inquiries in the CRM for completeness and fit, and guide applicants through loan requirements.
- Use credit analysis skills to make preliminary decisions about the creditworthiness of loan inquiries.
- Uncover business needs and help owners address unmet needs and become loan-ready.
- Proactively contact assigned portfolio clients to assess business health, offer improvement support, and provide follow-up sessions as needed.
- Assess borrowers’ progress toward business maturity using CEF tools.
- Advise borrowers on sales, marketing, people management, financial management, and business growth.
- Review profit-and-loss statements, balance sheets, and business practices to identify financial risks and process improvements.
- Coach borrowers on accounting reports and accounting systems, including QuickBooks.
- Stay current on tax regulations and legal concepts, identify potential issues, and refer borrowers to appropriate professionals as needed.
- Translate borrowers’ business needs into prioritized action plans and next steps.
- Build long-term relationships with assigned CEF clients and conduct meetings online or in person according to client needs.
- Plan, develop, and deliver webinars, events, and workshops for Colorado small business owners.
- Carry out program requirements associated with grants or initiatives supporting targeted communities.
- Develop practices to expand borrower engagement in the local community.
- Collaborate with peers and leadership, participate in team meetings, contribute to problem-solving and continual improvement, and demonstrate CEF’s guiding principles.
- Use business software, including Microsoft Office and CRM systems, to document consultations and interactions.
- Navigate CRM modules and manage contact and lead stages so internal stakeholders can review progress toward departmental goals.
- Use spreadsheets such as Excel or Google Sheets, including creating formulas and readable formatting, and support others in using them.
- Track borrower consultation tasks weekly and ensure timely follow-up, reminders, and completion.
- Coordinate cross-functional task handoffs across departments to support efficient workflow and consistent borrower support.
- Schedule and manage borrower appointments weekly using Microsoft Bookings.
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage
- Monthly hybrid work stipend
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer match up to 5% of an employee’s contribution
- Ten paid holidays per year
- Fifteen paid vacation days to start, increasing in year two
- Paid health and wellness time
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
