Support Latino entrepreneurs in starting, growing, and sustaining successful businesses.

The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) is seeking a bilingual (Spanish/English) Business Development Associate to provide hands-on support to small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. This role focuses on helping Latino-owned businesses start, grow, and access resources that strengthen families and local economies.

Job Description
Position: Business Development & Lending Associate
Reports to: Economic Development Program Manager
Employment Classification: Full-time, Exempt
Location: St. Paul, MN

Compensation and Benefits:

• The compensation range for this role is: $57,000.00 to $67,000.00 per year.
• Hours: 9-5pm weekdays, with occasional evenings/weekends.
• Benefits: Employer-paid medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability; 9 paid holidays (including two floating holidays); PTO between Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day; Paid Parental Leave

Job Summary:
LEDC provides technical assistance and business development support to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small and micro-businesses, while also supporting second-stage businesses as appropriate. The Business Development Associate is responsible for expanding awareness of LEDC services, conducting outreach, cultivating referral and community partnerships, generating and managing prospective client leads, and delivering technical assistance that helps businesses start, grow, and access technical and capital resources. For businesses requiring specialized support, this role will coordinate referrals to appropriate partners and networks. This role must be bilingual in Spanish and English.

Duties and Responsibilities:
•Provide business consulting and technical assistance to aspiring entrepreneurs and existing businesses, including feasibility and market analysis, business planning, loan and financial package development, marketing support, real estate negotiation support, and expansion or rehabilitation planning, as appropriate.
•Provide assistance during the business start-up and opening phases related to business registration, licensing, permitting, regulatory compliance, and related government processes, and serve as a liaison between entrepreneurs and regulatory stakeholders to help resolve issues.
•Provide loan packaging and capital access assistance, including gathering documents, completing applications, and coordinating with LEDC’s Lending Department and external lending partners.
•Conduct cash flow and financial analysis and coach entrepreneurs on how to interpret financial statements, identify challenges, and improve business readiness and financial performance.
•Refer and coordinate with partner organizations and external professional service providers for services not directly provided by LEDC, including legal, accounting, tax, insurance, commercial real estate, and other specialized business services.
•Conduct in-person and virtual outreach to aspiring entrepreneurs, start-up businesses, and existing small businesses to increase awareness of LEDC’s programs and services.
•Build and maintain referral relationships with financial institutions, community lenders, business service providers, local governments, chambers, community-based organizations, and other strategic partners to strengthen lead generation, referrals, and LEDC’s market presence.
•Develop and maintain a pipeline of prospective clients through outreach, presentations, referrals, partner engagement, and community events, and assess client needs to support business readiness, launch, growth, and long-term sustainability.
•Deliver or support business training, workshops, presentations, and other educational programming for entrepreneurs and small business owners, as directed.
•Collaborate with internal teams and maintain accurate, timely records of outreach, referrals, technical assistance, client progress, and compliance documentation in CRM and other required reporting systems.
•Represent LEDC in community, business, philanthropic, and public-sector initiatives that strengthen visibility, community impact, and service delivery.
•Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Required
•Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
•Strong written and oral communication skills in English and Spanish.
•At least two years of experience supporting small businesses, either as a consultant, advisor,