Business Specialist - Bell Blvd

Business Specialist

Job Classification: Sales

Department: Retail Banking

Status: Salaried/Non-exempt

Reports To: Branch Manager

Hiring Range: $62,000 - $85,000

Serving Others is Our Passion: As a growing member of the community for more than 90 years, Flushing Bank is dedicated to supporting and serving the individuals, families, professionals, and businesses in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and on Long Island.

WE can offer YOU: Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance, Short Term & Long Term Disability, Group Term Life, 401K Plus Employer Match, Paid Time Off, 11 Paid Holidays, Employee Referral Program, generous Incentive Programs, Volunteer Opportunities, and a Supportive Environment Focused on Learning and Advancement.

Description of Work: The primary role of the Business Specialist is to perform sales and service functions for business customers, including new accounts, loan applications, cash management, merchant services referrals, and all other business related products. The Business Specialist serves as a resource and mentor to the branch team in business customer assistance and product presentation, and will be part of a team of professional individuals with a shared focus on delivering a world class customer service experience. The Business Specialist will ensure the customer's financial needs are met by conducting a thorough financial needs assessment and recommending appropriate solutions that fulfill the customer's immediate and future needs. The Business Specialist will deepen relationships with their clients to acquire, develop, and manage a "Premier" client portfolio in addition to overall business sales. Business Specialists support their branch of assignment in functions required to maintain banking activities during normal banking hours, particularly when the Branch Manager or other similarly authorized Branch personnel are not present. The Business Specialist has appropriate levels of approval and override authority to effectively complete assigned functions.

General Statement of Duties:

• Achieve and surpass scorecard goals including checking unit and balance goals, credit application and booking goals, referral and cross-sell goals, as outlined in the Retail Incentive Program.
• Proactively source, acquire, retain, and deepen business customer relationships by maximizing sales and lending opportunities.
• Recommend appropriate solutions which may include a referral to the branch's designated Business Development Officer (BDO).
• Partner with the BDO as necessary to facilitate deposit acquisition and preparing or compiling credit applications and supporting documents.
• Utilize a consultative selling approach to understand client business and personal needs and financial goals; identify credit opportunities and offer appropriate solutions; refer to Investment partners when appropriate. Identify clients with higher levels of personal investable assets and offer Premier checking as the "best in class" banking package.
• Ensure a positive customer experience for all sales and service interactions.
• Participate in sales meetings, sharing best practices, and offering feedback to management on enhancing individual performance as well as supporting team performance. Actively participate in sales and service sprint campaigns utilizing all available resources provided by Marketing, Business Development, Retail Administration, etc.
• Maintain a business pipeline and participate in scheduled production reviews with managers and peers.
• Ensure compliance with all regulations, policies and procedures. Perform additional accountabilities as required.

• Perform operational responsibilities as required by the branch manager.

Supervision Received: Report directly to the Branch Manager

Supervision Exercised: N/A

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide consistent and optimal customer service to all business customers by recognizing and greeting customers in a friendly and professional manner.
• Communicate clearly and thoroughly on the resolution of issues and identifying cross-sell opportunities of additional products and/or services. Where appropriate, the Business Specialist must respond promptly to business customer needs by unassisted fulfillment or a referral. The Business Specialist owns the customer need or issue until fulfilled and/or resolved. This requires persistent and regular dialogue with business partners until all referrals are completely followed up on.
• Source and provide credit solutions for prospects and clients. Follow up on credit referrals from Branch Managers, CSR's and UB's. Work with the branch staff, the BDO, and the customer on preparing proper credit applications.
• As a designated Premier banker, manage a portfolio of business clients who qualify for a Premier Banking package, with expectations of cross selling, retaining and deepening their consumer relationship and establishing a robust referral network.
• If licensed, leverage licenses and basic investment knowledge to recommend investment and insurance solutions. Perform required activities to achieve Investment sales goals. Establish effective partnership with the Financial Consultant.
• Develop a Center of Influence (COI) network by engaging in business networking and community activities. Actively represent Flushing Bank in the local business community; generate business leads; and close business opportunities. Maintain frequent interaction with COIs, community leaders and senior business contacts.
• Effectively leverage, coordinate and organize targeted marketing campaigns, events, and new product launches to drive sales activities and fulfill customer needs in the local business community.
• Support and preserve the operational integrity of the branch and bank by adhering to all policies and procedures of Flushing Bank, including account opening and credit protocols. Conduct sound operational practices and bring questionable conditions or issues of potential loss to the attention of management in a timely manner. Where necessary, the Business Specialist performs branch opening, closing and operational duties under the leadership of branch management.

Non-Essential Responsibilities:

Perform other related functions as required by manager.

Significant Contacts/Interactions:

Internal: Business Development Office, Branch Managers and Branch Teams, and Business Banking Professionals.

External: Customers and Business Prospects, Centers of Influence (COI's), Community Leaders, and Business Contacts, and Approved and authorized vendors and business partners.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in business (preferred) or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum three years banking experience, preferably in Business Banking.
• Certification in Business Product knowledge and other training as required.
• Fundamental knowledge of accounting and business operations. Financial Analysis skills a plus.
• Microsoft Office competency.
• Investment (Series 6 or 7) and Life & Health insurance licensing strongly suggested.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills: ability to conduct collaborative credit conversations; clarify issues; and present information to peers, management, and internal business partners.
• Customer oriented, responsive, and thorough in pursuing leads and responding to service requests and inquiries.
• Professional expertise and experience to offer product recommendations that will help customers with their immediate financial needs, as well as providing guidance to achieve their long term financial goals and dreams.
• Highly driven to grow one's own personal capabilities by actively participating in opportunities to expand knowledge base; and grow leadership, influencing, and interpersonal skills.
• Superior organizational skills and excellent business development skills.
• Adaptable and flexible in duties, responsibilities and organizational change.
• Ability to produce well within goal parameters utilizing acquired and trained selling skills.
• Able to work independently as well as within a team environment.

Hours: 40 This is a non-exempt position, eligible for overtime if hours worked are over 40 hours. The actual compensation will be based on qualifications, experience and other factors permitted by law. EOE, including Disabled/Veterans