Economic Development Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

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, entrepreneur, or in a management role.
•Experience analyzing cash flow, loan packages, marketing strategies, and business plans for small or micro-businesses.
•Ability to explain technical or financial concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
•Strong technology skills, including proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams or Zoom, and online research tools.
•Ability to work effectively with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and cultures, including underrepresented, immigrant, and underserved communities.
•Strong customer service and relationship-building skills, with the ability to connect entrepreneurs to relevant services and resources.
•Strong organizational, project management, time management, and follow-up skills.
•Self-starter with the ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing needs, and operate effectively with limited direction.
•Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, as needed for outreach, events, and training activities.
•Ability to travel locally or regionally, as needed.
 

Preferred
•Accounting or financial analysis experience/knowledge.
•Experience with community outreach, partnership development, presentations, workshops, or group facilitation.
•Knowledge of business regulations, licensing, and compliance requirements relevant to small business operations.
•Experience with CRM platforms such as Salesforce or similar systems.

Physical Requirements:
This role requires the ability to move equipment, documents, or work materials up to 30 pounds.

Organization:
The Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC) is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that serves all of Minnesota and whose mission is to transform our community by creating economic opportunities for Latinos/as/e Since 2003, LEDC has worked with aspiring entrepreneurs and existing small businesses to offer technical assistance, business development strategies, and access to affordable capital for equipment, working capital, and/or land/building acquisition or rehabilitation needs. Our vision is a thriving multicultural community enriched with Latino leadership, culture, and economic influence. With over 370,000 Latinos in MN representing 6% of the population, it is imperative to have a presence in the region.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
LEDC celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Reasonable accommodation will be provided for applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance, please contact us at careers@ledcmn.org. Please indicate what assistance is needed.
LEDC regrets that it is unable to offer H-1B sponsorship at this time. The successful candidate, under U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations, must be able to accept work in the U.S. by the day employment begins.

To apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to careers@ledcmn.org.