Senior Loan Specialist - Lyons, NE

# Senior Loan Specialist - Lyons, NEFebruary 3, 2026Read on. We might be looking for you!Center for Rural Affairs is seeking a Senior Loan Specialist. The positions will be based in Lyons, Nebraska. The Senior Loan Specialist will provide key support to prospective homeowners, businesses, and entrepreneurs by delivering loan financing, technical assistance, and one-on-one coaching. This role will analyze creditworthiness, financial projections, managing loans from application to repayment and expanding lending opportunities through strong referral networks and collaborations across programs to ensure long term borrower sustainability.## Who We AreCenter for Rural Affairs is a dynamic, energetic non-profit organization working to build a better rural future for all. We’ve done this work for more than 50 years and we do it from rural places. Our work creates opportunities for beginning farmers, new business owners, first-time advocates, and rural communities. The Center’s work is rooted in our values. We believe that a diversity of ideas and people strengthens our work, our workplace, and our communities. We are committed to advancing practices that create an equitable and inclusive workplace. We take equal opportunity seriously and we encourage applicants to see if our Mission and Values match yours! More information at cfra.org.## What You’ll DoThe Senior Loan Specialist reports to the Chief Lending Officer and will work closely with the Lending team. This role is responsible for the following:* You will develop a network of community-based partners interested in supporting small businesses and homeownership across a specific geographic territory in Nebraska.* You will make small business and housing lending programs available to low- and moderate low-income and rural community residents throughout the assigned geographic territory in Nebraska.* You will work with borrowers through all stages of the financing process. You will gather the necessary data about clients and businesses, analyze and verify the borrower’s creditworthiness, and determine the probability of repayment using cash flow analysis, financial projections, and forecasting.* You will lead borrowers through the life of the loan, from disbursement to servicing the loan to the final payment, and prepare the borrower for working with traditional lenders when and where it is appropriate.* You will play a critical and lead role in the development and implementation of reporting outcomes to funders, the board, and staff.* You will ensure loan requests comply with loan underwriting, product, and program policies and procedures.* You will work with lenders across the organization to ensure loan requests comply with loan underwriting, product, and program policies and procedures and support partnership development, marketing products, lead generation, and client attraction.## Who You Are & Keys to Success (the must-haves)To be successful in this job, you will excel in five areas:* Relationship building: You know how to talk with people to learn what needs they have through conversation and inquiry. People trust you because you’re efficient with their time and have their best interests in mind. You’re able to build networks, as well as alliances, and find points of collaboration even when there are competing interests on your time. You develop and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders and can bring in allies and partners.* Drive to achieve results: You know how to work to your strengths to achieve your own ambitious goals, and you anticipate hurdles as merely a momentary inconvenience. You possess a competitive drive and are creative when prospecting clients. You set a high bar and meet it because you think three (or 30) steps ahead to come up with pragmatic, yet innovative, solutions. You have financial acumen and an affinity for the details.* Inclusive leadership and management: You approach leadership in your work with a mindset of “power with” rather than “power over” and regularly include others with lived experience and/or expertise in decision-making. You use resources wisely and can provide clear direction to clients, partners, and contractors to leverage time and resources for impact.* Setting and managing priorities: You have experience managing multiple projects and keeping tasks from slipping through the cracks. You use resources wisely and can provide clear direction to staff, partners, consultants, and volunteers to leverage time and talent for impact. You understand the importance of effective delegation and empower others by assigning responsibilities that align with their strengths to maximize efficiency and results.* Commitment to social justice: You recognize and address barriers to accessing capital. You recognize how your own identities show up in the work, and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback with an eye toward continuous learning about difference to overcome barriers. You recognize that investment in communities, people, and entrepreneurship are pathways to better outcomes. You’re a leader (or willing to become a leader) in incorporating the Center's Values effectively into internal processes, external programming and communications, and work relationships, as well as identifying opportunities to build your own capacity to center these values into your work.If you were here right now, you would be:* Meeting with entrepreneurs and homeowners, reviewing loan applications, talking through business plans, and helping clients understand their financing options.* Analyzing financials and cash flow to assess creditworthiness and move loan requests forward in line with program guidelines.* You’d be building relationships with community partners and internal teams to generate leads, expand lending opportunities, and support client success.* You’d be managing active loans and tracking outcomes and supporting borrowers through repayment while contributing to reports for funders, leadership, and the board.You have experience with the following:* You have 3-5 years of experience in sales, banking, insurance, small business, or a related field.* You can prepare and interpret financial statements and confidently engage in prospecting, networking, presentations, and negotiations.* You excel at building relationships, both inside and outside the organization, to exchange ideas, share resources, and drive client outreach and sales.* You are a strategic thinker who aligns priorities to meet commitments and organizational goals.* You value diversity and working effectively with individuals from various backgrounds.* You communicate clearly and adapt messages to different audiences in both individual and group settings.* You embrace technology, including microlending software and CRM systems, and develop innovative strategies that connect vision to action.* You thrive under pressure and push yourself and others toward success.* You are willing and able to travel across Nebraska as needed.* You are fluent in both English and Spanish communication, while holding an understanding of financial concepts contained within loan documents and the ability to translate and interpret effectively.## What Else You Should KnowThis is a full-time non-exempt position. This position will require occasional travel to meet with community partners and individuals, and include both overnight and out-of-state travel on occasion.Compensation and benefits:This position has a salary of $91,042 with top-notch benefits that have a cash value of $10,000 to $29,500, depending on family status and tenure with the Center. Benefits include a 97% employer-paid family health insurance that includes a contribution to a Health Savings Account, retirement options, a fantastic Employee Assistance Program, 12 paid holidays plus paid time off between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day, Friday Summer Hours, and vacation #J-18808-Ljbffr