Program Manager - Strategy, Outreach & Administration

Overview

Job Summary  

EDA Overview

• Join the NJEDA and help lead New Jersey to sustainable economic growth, fostering equitable opportunities and vibrant communities. We offer hybrid work, a supportive culture, and robust benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and extensive wellness programs. Make a tangible impact and shape New Jersey's future with innovative economic development at NJEDA.

Job Overview

• Leads and supervises the department’s Product Officers related to NJEDA lending and grant programs. Manages outreach, various high-volume programs/products, CDFI, MDI, and lending partner relationships, as well as resources within the department (or those appropriated to the department). Acts as the liaison between internal teams (product officers, business development, underwriting, closing , legal, and compliance etc) and external stakeholders (banks, CDFIs, MDIs, and community business partners etc). Fosters a culture of teamwork, accountability, and results-driven performance. Ensures that NJEDA’s mission and service standards are met at all times.
• Ensures program implementation and department strategies are focused on effectively serving small, women, minority, and veteran-owned businesses. Provides ongoing market analysis and recommendations for new product development and improvements. Collects market data to identify gaps in services. Assists with executing the department’s plan to effectively market NJEDA resources to communities, fostering strong relationships.
• Serves as the leader for business banking inbound, outbound, and web-based outreach initiatives, as well as field engagement geared toward increasing loan and grant volume and expanding product portfolios. Ensures full and compliant processing of small business and lender applications from initiation through closing. Drives excellent customer service levels, and manages product development, administration, continuous improvement, and productivity of CDFI and MDI initiatives and products.

$85,680 - $107,100

Note: The NJEDA currently offers a hybrid work schedule for up to 2 days of telecommute work from home. To participate, you will be required to have high speed home internet access and a managers approval. This program does not supersede the "New Jersey First Act", which requires newly hired NJEDA employees to establish and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey.

Responsibilities

Duties

Daily Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Lead and supervise the daily operations of product officer outreach and product application processes. Oversee inbound/outbound calling and web-based initiatives to generate business leads, loan and grant applications. Oversee the processing of all lending, grant, and lender program applications, review transmittals, program checklists, and applications for approval. Guide strategic planning, product marketing, and set performance goals to ensure program success.
• Lead and supervise Product Officers to ensure effective delivery of NJEDA products, programs, relationships, and services. Provide guidance and feedback, prepare staff reviews, and offer immediate coaching and support to maintain high-quality outreach initiatives and meet departmental targets.
• Monitor compliance, service levels, and performance tracking. Monitor CRM entries to ensure timely and accurate data capture and follow-up on leads. Conduct webinars, presentations, prepare and present board memos, product specifications, and compliance documentation. Optimize, manage, and prepare reporting for NJEDA leadership. Assist with establishing, enforcing, and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures for all department’s programs.

      Projects:   

• Develop, identify, and implement comprehensive training programs for Product Officers..
• Create, launch, and manage new programs for small businesses, CDFIs, and MDIs.
• Collaborate with internal departments to refine marketing, product features, and streamline application processes.

Goals and Objectives:

• Increase overall business banking loan and grant volume and expanding product portfolio.
• Establish measurable KPIs to monitor program performance, outreach success, and training effectiveness.
• Implement regular coaching, staff professional development, performance reviews and feedback sessions with team members.

     .Collaboration and Cross-Divisional Interaction:

• Work closely with business development, underwriting, closing, and compliance teams and other internal partners to ensure effective product processing and outreach. Participates in cross-departmental meetings and presentations to promote and align program strategies and share market insights and updates.
• Engages with local governments to better understand what the needs are specific to its’ community and to help inform the local communities of NJEDA products offered
• Maintains strong relationships with external lending partners, CDFIs, and MDIs.

Reporting Structure:

• Report directly to the Director, Business Banking.
• Lead and supervise Product Officers and coordinate with Business Development Officers and department leadership.
• Must complete annual self-assessment as required.
• Performs other duties and special projects, as assigned.

Qualifications

Skills and Qualifications

Technical Skills:

• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of EDA programs and services, including in-depth knowledge of banking, MDIs, CDFIs, SBA lending products, and lending and underwriting principles, along with a strong grasp of financing and incentives in economic and community development.
• Possesses strong analytical skills with the ability to assess complex income, balance sheet, cash flow statements, personal net worth statements, and tax returns, including the calculation of debt services; experienced in effective reporting, tracking, and project management.
• Adept at ensuring detailed procedures, guidelines, and programs are effectively administered; experienced in managing multiple high-volume programs/products simultaneously and proficient in CRM.

       Soft Skills:

• Demonstrates strong people management abilities, including overseeing and coordinating personnel, mentoring and coaching teams with diverse expertise, and embracing supervisory techniques with a detail-oriented mindset and a passion for EDA’s mission
• Exhibits exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills to effectively interface with senior management, boards, government officials, and external partners; builds strong relationships and navigates complex situations with limited guidance while remaining customer-focused.
• Highly adaptable in managing competing demands with excellent organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize workload, handle multiple tasks simultaneously under tight deadlines, maintain confidentiality, and tackle challenging situations with creative and efficient problem-solving approaches while promoting a collaborative and respectful work environment

         Certifications:

• Certification in commercial credit and or business relationship management desired but required.

Experience:

• Seven years of business experience, preferably in banking, finance, or similar work
• Must have experience with program administration
• Minimum of five years of supervisory experience required
• Experience working with financing tools that support economic and urban/community development to support small businesses
• Advanced degree or industry specific certification may be substituted for 1 year of experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent experience in business administration with emphasis in accounting, finance, or economics and/or equivalent professional experience

Software/Tools Proficiency:

• NJEDA utilizes Microsoft as the core application platform and proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite is preferred.

Additional Information

• Minimal physical demands and ability to work out normal business hours
• Travel expected when necessary for business operations

Certificates and Licenses Required

• Staff are required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essentials duties of the position.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job description. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope, general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job.  This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.

Your employment at NJEDA is voluntary and subject to termination by you or NJEDA at will, with or without cause, or with or without notice, at any time.  Nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to conflict, eliminate or modify the employment-at-will status of NJEDA employees. 

This position is considered exempt and is excluded from minimum wage, overtime regulations, and other rights and protections afforded nonexempt workers under the FLSA.

NJEDA reserves the right to amend/revise this job description as necessary to meet current and changing business needs.

NJ SAME Program

 In accordance with P.L. 2021, c. 465 and P.L. 2021, 466, the SAME program was established to enable New Jersey State agencies to hire, promote, retain, and advance qualified individuals whose physical or mental impairments impact their abilities to participate in the hiring and promotion process for non-competitive and unclassified titles within the State workforce.

The SAME program allows candidates, who identify as having a significant disability, to apply for non-competitive and unclassified positions through a fast track hiring process. This program uses a fast-track process that permits people who are eligible for the program to request that the State appointing authority schedule with them a good faith interview. For more information about the SAME program and the Fast Track Hiring program, please Click Here.  If you have any questions, please email, or call the contact as indicated on the job vacancy announcement.

This posting open to eligible applicants regardless of SAME eligibility.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Position Requirements

• Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a reputable evaluation service at your own expense and must be submitted prior to a start date. If this cannot be provided within 21 days of an offer the offer will be rescinded.
• Must comply with the “New Jersey First Act” which requires employees hired after September 1, 2011, to reside in New Jersey. Non-New Jersey resident employees must relocate to New Jersey within one year of their date of hire and provide proof of residency to Human Resources.
• Must complete an Outside Activity Questionnaire (disclosure of outside office or employment) on an annual basis.
• Must review the required NJ State Ethics Guidelines found on the state website.
• Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States per the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. Note: The State of New Jersey does not provide sponsorship for citizenship to the United States.