JOB PURPOSE

• To operate as a field officer for Enterprise Answers, meeting and working with prospective businesses to ensure that their funding applications are progressed to review and decision.

• Following the loan drawdown, to monitor the progress of these businesses and diagnose the reason for any significant variation in a business’s performance or a borrower’s expected repayment schedule and agree appropriate remedial action.

• To assist with the development and delivery of a complimentary suite of business support products and services.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Customer Development:

Meet with the applicant, usually at their business premises, to discuss their funding application, business plan and other relevant supporting documents.

Through discussion with customers, ensure that sufficient information is available to

Identify key personnel in the business funding proposal.

Confirm that a sufficient market exists for the applicant’s proposed product or service.

Identify the source and application of all funding for the proposed project.

Test the viability and sensitivity of financial forecasts supplied in support of the loan application.

Identify any issues affecting the resources available to a borrower including premises lease terms, insurances required, ownership of and cost of borrowing on existing assets.

Review previous financial performance where the application is from an existing business.

Signpost or refer prospective borrowers to business support agencies for assistance in developing their business proposals where internal resources have been exhausted.

Loan Appraisal:

For each funding application provide a written appraisal report for the Chief Executive and the Lending Panel to facilitate the loan approval decision.

Provide a verbal presentation of the appraisal and clarification of detail if required by the Lending Panel.

Loan Monitoring:

Provide ongoing support to borrowers through periodic on-site visits and e-mail, written or telephone contact to confirm that their business is progressing and developing satisfactorily.

Obtain information on investment outcomes as required by Enterprise Answers or its stakeholders.

Where a business is experiencing trading difficulties diagnose the underlying cause and signpost or refer borrowers to network support organisations to minimise the risk to the Enterprise Answers investment.

Where a borrower is in default collect information in the field to assist the debt recovery process.

Networking:

Develop and maintain networking relationships with stakeholders, partner organisations and referral bodies.

Represent Enterprise Answers at promotional and networking events.

Marketing:

 Assist with the development, design and delivery of the organisation’s marketing strategy.

Product Development:

Assist with the design, development and implementation of a suite of business support
products and services to compliment the growth and expansion of Enterprise Answers.

Team Working:

Any other duties as may be required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Criteria	Essential to basic performance of job	Required for fully competent performance of job
Knowledge:
Technical or Specialist	Ability to work with businesses and provide useful practical guidance and advice	Experience of working in a  lending, accountancy/financial services environment and/or  business support role
	Understanding the key considerations in assessing a loan application	Experience or expertise of engaging with businesses including social enterprises.
Literacy and Numeracy	Excellent numeracy and literacy skills, written and verbal	Ability to interpret financial accounts
Organisational	Knowledge of business support networks and working with partnerships	Local knowledge of business support infrastructure in Cumbria and the North East.
Knowledge and use of equipment	Good IT skills including manipulation of spreadsheets	Experience of using SAGE or similar software
Mental skills:
Research	Ability to research options for client referral
Problem Solving	Able to think around problems and offer solutions
Thinking creatively / Developing new ideas	Ability to accept and encourage unconventional approaches and business practices
Planning ahead	Ability to plan own workload and plan regular meetings, both pre and post loan disbursal with clients
Interpersonal & Communications skills:
Caring skills	Understanding the challenges facing business owners and the associated responsibilities
Training and/or presentation skills	Ability to effectively present information to a wide range of audiences in a variety of formats
Advising/guiding skills	Ability to guide clients in a friendly manner and be sympathetic in presenting information
Verbal and written communication skills (inc. use of languages)	Ability to write clear, concise and accurate appraisal reports for a lending panel
Physical Skills:
Driving skills (incl. essential specialist skills)	Full driving licence and access to car required
Other attributes:
Level of autonomy	Ability to act on own initiative, to make decisions independently.