Credit To Capital Senior Manager

Organization Summary

Sunshine Enterprises is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Chicago, IL, fostering economically viable communities through training, coaching, and connecting high-potential entrepreneurs. Our mission is to empower entrepreneurs in under-resourced neighborhoods to grow their businesses and transform their communities .

SE’s core programs are the Community Business Academy (CBA), Business Acceleration Services (BAS), and Credit to Capital (C2C). The CBA is a twelve-session, 36-hour course in business basics. SE graduates over 200 graduates per year from the CBA. BAS involves services to graduates including coaching, workshops, events, alumni network, and pitch competitions. The Credit to Capital (C2C) program offers assistance to under-resourced entrepreneurs and small business owners on their journeys to securing capital. Programming includes both helping entrepreneurs with their personal credit and finances, as well as helping them apply for small business financing. Through one-on-one guidance and trusted relationships with various lenders, C2C provides technical assistance around issues of personal finance and credit, loan packaging, and business strategy to ensure successful business growth. 

Within the C2C program, SE runs a Community Micro Equity Fund (CMEF) in partnership with Greenwood Archer Capital (GAC). The CMEF was launched recognizing that traditional forms of debt capital and “family and friends” investments are often unavailable to the early-stage entrepreneurs SE and GAC serve. The collaborative benefits new and emerging small black businesses with flexible, “equity like” loans up to $25,000 and support services for starting, innovating and scaling these ventures.

Position Summary

The Credit to Capital Senior Manager will oversee and implement the Credit to Capital (C2C) program, focusing on connecting entrepreneurs with financial resources and guidance to achieve sustainable business growth. This role requires exceptional program management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic leadership skills.

The ideal candidate will manage a team comprising contracted coaches, a part-time project manager, and a part-time coordinator. They will ensure the effective execution of various C2C initiatives, including workshops, the Community Micro Equity Fund (CMEF), coaching services, and external relationship management with lenders, donors, and service providers.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Program Leadership

Oversees the development and implementation of Credit to Capital programs, including:

• Community Micro Equity Fund (see details below)

• Tiered alumni workshops: Content rich 1-2 hour workshops focused on businesses with specific revenue levels  

• General workshops: Industry relevant

• Professional Service Support: Coordinating support with tax preparation and bookkeeping providers for clients specifically applying to funding

• The Advisor Academy: Ecosystem-wide professional development series-train the trainer model
  Access to Capital Coaching for Co-Working, Vending, and Diverse Developer entrepreneurs:    

• Coordinating 1:1 coaching sessions for our partner locations and curated program participants

Establish annual and monthly work plans, calendars of events, and program schedules.
Collaborate with other Sunshine Enterprises departments, including: 

• Community Business Academy, Business Acceleration Services, Development, Finance, and Marketing teams, to design and implement effective programs.

                                                               

Team Management

Manage and oversee the C2C team, currently comprising:
- 2-3 contracted coaches
- Part-time project manager
- Part-time coordinator

Plan and coordinate credit improvement and access to capital coaching activities, including:
- Hiring and managing contracted coaches
- Pairing coaches with clients
- Tracking and reporting progress

Community Micro Equity Fund (CMEF)

• Develop and execute an annual CMEF activity calendar, including workshops, surveys, individual coaching sessions, reporting, and funding pitches
• Coordinate partnerships in collaboration with stakeholders
• Ensure consistent support and follow-up through one-year post-funding surveys

External Relationship Management

• Build and maintain relationships with lenders, professional service providers, and programmatic partners.
• Coordinate donor and volunteer engagements to support C2C initiatives.
• Manage the Alternative Financing Project, focusing on board fellows project, and Donor Advised Fund activities, and corresponding volunteer management

**Cross-Departmental Coordination

• Collaborate with Working Credit and contracted coaches to coordinate credit presentations during Week 3 of the CBA - Collaborate with lenders to coordinate lender presentations during Week 11 of the CBA

Required Skills and Abilities**

• Strong program management and strategic planning skills

• Proven ability to build relationships with external stakeholders, such as lenders, donors, and service providers

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to manage and lead a diverse team effectively

• Strong problem-solving and process-oriented thinking

• Salesforce, Quickbooks (or similar), and LivePlan experience a plus

• Spanish language skills a plus

Minimum Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Non-Profit Management, or related fields
• Previous experience in finance, lending, economic/community development, or small business development
• Experience managing multi-stakeholder relationships and facilitating workshops or training programs

Attendance

• Reliable and predictable attendance is required
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends