Partnership Manager

Title:   Partnership Manager 

Employee Status:  Full-Time Exempt 

Salary:  Grade 4 

Starting range of $75,000 – $85,000 | Chicago 

Starting range of $72,000 – $80,000 | Cleveland 

Reports to:   Managing Director of Partnership Management

Department:    Capital Solutions 

Location:  Chicago, IL or Cleveland, OH

Hybrid:   In office: T/W | WFH: M/Th/F

Department Function: 

Capital is a critical resource that’s often beyond the reach of nonprofits serving communities with limited resources. IFF works hard to change that. For more than 30 years, IFF has specialized in flexible lending products that help nonprofits achieve their growth goals and best serve their communities. IFF’s clients include human services agencies, supportive housing providers, schools, health clinics, arts organizations, community centers and a full spectrum of other nonprofit organizations. Racial inequality in property values still exists today. IFF takes a different approach to underwriting that isn’t limited by appraisals but instead is informed by a deep understanding of nonprofit operations and the importance of nonprofit facilities to communities. IFF provides lending to our clients uniquely designed to serve nonprofits with no appraisals on commercial projects, as low as five percent up front, and long-term loans with no prepayment penalties. Loans can be used for acquisition, facility improvement, equipment and vehicles, and affordable housing. Capital Solutions is part of IFF’s Core Business Solutions which is a cross-cutting team that sits at the nexus of nonprofits, communities, and IFF technical knowledge. The group provides thought leadership and expertise to drive corporate strategy across markets. The primary business units in Core Business Solutions are Capital Solutions, Real Estate Solutions, Community Development Solutions, Home First, and Legal.

The Organization

IFF is a mission-driven lender, real estate consultant, and developer that helps communities thrive. Key to our success has been a deep sense of purpose, a broad perspective, and a relentless focus on achieving positive results. Across the Midwest we help clients from every sector, including human service agencies, health centers, schools, affordable housing developers, and healthy food grocery operators. Staff contribute extensive business experience and an unrivaled connection to the mission of IFF to the clients we serve.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Partnering to create thriving communities is at the heart of everything we do. We leverage knowledge, capital, and resources to advance equitable and transformational outcomes in under-resourced communities, guided by our commitment to be an inclusive, anti-racist and anti-oppressive institution that honors communities as asset-rich and as experts in their own stories.

Basic Job Function

The Partnership Manager is responsible for the active management of IFF loans post-close by monitoring borrower compliance, assessing areas of risk, evaluating a borrower’s long-term sustainability, identifying new opportunities for IFF Capital Solutions and Real Estate Solutions, and proactively mitigating potential loan defaults. 

IFF is looking for candidates with a commitment to the work we do who can demonstrate their creativity, diligence, enthusiasm, growth-mindset, thoughtfulness, and passion to make meaningful change in the areas of economic and racial justice.

Core Responsibilities: 

1. Manage a portfolio of 60-80 borrowers and loans, including:

• In coordination with originating lender, serve as a borrower’s primary post-close contact for monitoring, servicing, modifications, and new loan requests and RES engagements.
• Establish regular and proactive connectivity with borrowers to best match IFF products and services with organizational needs.
• Post-close review of loan terms and conditions to verify all necessary information is in the loan systems in order to properly monitor ongoing compliance and key reporting and performance data.
• Regular collection, review, and analysis of financial and other reporting information for risk monitoring and updated risk recertification.
• Identify and elevate themes across the portfolio and keep up with relevant sector and/or geographic challenges and opportunities.
• Conduct site visits in accordance with IFF Loan Policy Requirements to assess a borrower’s financial health, check collateral condition when warranted, and collaboratively identify potential risks and opportunities with borrower.
• Work with originating lender and other staff as appropriate to address compliance needs, payment delinquency, and any required modification to loan terms and conditions.
• Make recommendations on loan risk rating downgrades and upgrades, and perform analysis on risks to borrower funding sources, collateral, and changes in borrower leadership.
• Maintain accurate and complete loan files on IFF systems and support requests for borrower and IFF Portfolio information as needed.

2. Implement IFF delinquent and monitored loan procedures and policies as required:

• Monitor borrower delinquencies to resolve payment challenges and other borrower related issues, implement default processes including managing notice and other legal requirements with support from IFF Legal team, maintaining timely risk rating updates based on IFF risk rating concepts and policy.
• Proactively manage borrower delinquencies through meeting with borrowers, requiring, obtaining, and reviewing borrower financial and cash flow statements, and developing action plans for bringing delinquent borrowers current on payments.
• Discuss nonperforming loans/borrowers with Managing Director of Partnership Management, and if appropriate, make recommendations to transfer customers to Resolution Strategies using the Resolution Strategies Transfer Form.
• Remain in communication with Resolution Strategies Partnership Managers and available to re-engage borrower if loan/borrower begins to perform again and risk rating improves. 

3. Work with Capital Solutions staff to support compliance with portfolio and collateral monitoring procedures, assess, and test portfolio quality:

• Support maintenance of a robust tracking system for borrower, loan, and collateral reporting/monitoring/compliance requirements.
• Identify and share key trends and risks observed that may impact portfolio sectors and geographies. Support overall portfolio health by participating in regular reviews and stress testing.
• Recommend modification to policies, procedures, and risk rating methods to improve risk identification and mitigation.

4. Work collaboratively with Closing and Construction Loan Administration team on borrowers with active construction loans to ensure compliance and line of sight through construction period. 

5. Perform other projects as assigned. No job description can be entirely comprehensive, and the jobholder will be expected to carry out such other duties as may be required from time to time and are broadly consistent with the job description and status of the position within the organization.

Performance Measures: 

• Achieve lending and program goals for portfolio performance, risk identification, and relationship deepening.
• Recommend solutions to identified issues and challenges relating to loan program implementation.
• Cultivate a culture of openness in information sharing. Encourage open communication, cooperation, and sharing of knowledge.
• Accurate, thorough, and transparent assessment of risks, optimal solutions, and costs to remediate, including costs to carry nonperforming loans.
• Model personal accountability that promotes ownership and engagement.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, peers, and external partners.
• Value and support differences in others and contribute to an inclusive work environment. 
• Demonstrate the willingness and ability to communicate effectively with people with diverse backgrounds and experiences, fostering a collaborative and caring community.
• High level of work satisfaction with both internal colleagues and external partners and collaborators.

Position Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree preferred, preferably in business, accounting, finance, or community development. Or 5+ years’ equivalent experience in a similar position.

Previous Experience: 

· Two years of experience in commercial real estate or nonprofit lending required. 

· Experience working collaboratively with internal and external partners to find dignity infused solutions to challenges. 

· Some experience in areas of accounting, financial analysis, or evaluating credit for nonprofit organizations, commercial, small business, or industrial borrowers.

· Ability to perform financial statement analysis including spreading financial statements and assessing cash flow metrics.

Additional Requirements: Regular travel throughout the Midwest region; occasional early start or extended hours and evening or weekend work. 

Standard Benefits:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution

Life Insurance

Short and long term disability

Work-Life Balance Benefits:

Hybrid workplace

Summer Fridays

Employee Development Benefits:

Professional development stipend

Mentorship program

Miscellaneous:

Wellness programs

Employee assistance

Referral Bonuses

IFF does not offer the following:

• relocation package
• 100% remote 
• provide sponsorship to applicants who require or will require a work permit.

Check off only some boxes in the requirements listed above. Studies have shown that marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every qualification. So, if you're excited about this role, we encourage you to apply. 

Application Instructions: Please visit the Careers section of our website to apply online.  

IFF values equity, diversity, and inclusion as part of its mission to strengthen nonprofits and the communities they serve. IFF is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.