Community Lending Ambassador

ABOUT YOUR ROLE

The Community Lending Ambassador plays a vital role in the Bank's commitment to supporting underserved communities and expanding access to financial resources. This position serves as a visible and engaged liaison to local communities, nonprofit organizations, and key stakeholders to promote financial literacy, homeownership, and small business development. The role will collaborate across departments and with external partners to support community-based lending initiatives and ensure the bank's alignment with CRA and other community outreach goals.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

1. Serve as a representative of the Bank in the community, attending and hosting events that promote financial education and inclusion.2. Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, nonprofit organizations, housing agencies, and civic groups.3. Organize and lead homebuyer education workshops, small business financial seminars, and other financial literacy programs.4. Partnership development in particular with external lender for loan origination.5. Identify, build, and manage partnerships with community-based organizations, housing counseling agencies, and local municipalities to promote responsible lending practices.6. Act as a liaison between the bank and third-party organizations involved in affordable housing and small business support initiatives.7. Educate borrowers about credit, budgeting, homeownership readiness, and available loan products through workshops and one-on-one sessions.8. Collaborate with Retail Banking, Small Business, and CRA teams to ensure consistent delivery of community programs.9. Provide feedback to internal teams on community needs and gaps in services to enhance product offerings and outreach strategies.10. Track, document, and report on community engagement activities, workshops, and outcomes to support CRA documentation and performance goals.11. Stay current with regulatory requirements related to community development, including CRA and fair lending.

WHAT WE EXPECT OF YOU

• Demonstrated sales ability with the ability to build a referral network.
• In-depth knowledge of the mortgage industry, products, lending practices, loan programs, underwriting requirements, and regulatory guidelines; including CRA related, government mortgage loan products (FHA, VA, etc.

), special purpose credit program, and other products that help advance home lending opportunities to minority and low-to-moderate income borrowers and in minority and low-to-moderate income neighborhoods.

• Strong understanding of financial literacy, mortgage products, small business finance, and community development.
• Proven relationship building and client service; growing network of outside contacts to generate referral flow.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communications skills.
• Ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including financial management, budgeting, and investing.
• Excellent organizational skills and detail oriented.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and knowledge of various loan submission applications.
• Ability to meet the needs of customers with regard to their schedule and location.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in business, Finance, Community Development, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
• 3+ years of experience in community development, banking, nonprofit, or related field preferred.
• Experience conducting outreach and generating mortgage loan applications in minority and low- to moderate-income neighborhoods preferred
• Valid NMLS Registration required.
• Bilingual proficiency is a plus.

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACTS

• Initiates relationships and has frequent contacts with real estate professionals, attorneys, housing authorities, government agencies and other sources of mortgage loans.

Ties to minority and low- to moderate-income neighborhoods in in Middlesex County, Monmouth County, and Ocean County, New Jersey preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Frequent local travel to community events, partner meetings, and branch locations is required Evening and weekend availability for community events is expected on occasion. Office environment. Ability to operate computer. Ability to communicate in order to exchange simple to complex information with individuals and groups. Ability to travel in Middlesex County, Monmouth County, and Ocean County, New Jersey and throughout Bank footprint.