Loan Program Manager

Come join one of the oldest continuously operating nonprofits in the Southeast.  We provide interest-free loans for higher education to Jewish students in need from the five-state region of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. JELF’s loans are considered “last dollar,” providing the final funds that a student needs to attend school. These loans can be used for undergraduate or graduate study at a college or university, or study at a professional/vocational school that leads to a degree or certificate. Since 1961, JELF has provided over $13 million in the form of more than 4,000 interest-free loans.  

JELF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite you to learn more about our unique history and the important work we do at jelf.org.

Summary:

JELF’s full-time Loan Program Manager is accountable for executing a key aspect of JELF’s core mission:  providing interest-free student loans. This includes online application processing, continual process-improvement to achieve efficiencies, and oversight of JELF’s relationships with local social workers who work for our 20+ partner agencies located around the region. The Loan Program Manager peak season is May - July, followed by October-November.  This position reports directly to the COO.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Field year-round informational requests from students, parents and general population.
• Work with JELF’s volunteer-driven Loan Program Committee to facilitate the continued governance of JELF’s loan program.
• Establish and facilitate relationships with partner agencies throughout our five-state region.
• Create and maintain loan application training materials that facilitates the application and promotes positive experiences with JELF for both student applicants and partner agencies.
• Ensure that application and loan program sections of the website remain up-to-date.
• Assess each student application to ensure JELF’s eligibility criteria are met.
• Maintain student electronic and hard copy files in an organized fashion that facilitates access while protecting confidentiality.
• Train JELF staff to support loan application processing during the year.
• Organize and prepare student applications for multiple loan allocation sessions, which typically take in July and November, though other sessions may be scheduled. 
• Ensure that students receive and sign promissory notes before approved loans are funded.
• Monitor and report program statistics.
• Other duties that may arise within the scope of this role.

In addition to the Loan Program Manager duties and responsibilities, this individual is expected to:

• Participate in some of the development and execution of JELF special events, including major fundraising events and meetings.
• Be a team player, responding to JELF co-workers’ and volunteers for special JELF-related requests or assistance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Interest in and support for JELF’s mission.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in fast-paced environment.
• Highly effective organizational skills, including time management, flexibility/adaptability and prioritization/planning.
• Strong writing skills, including ability to proofread/edit documents with care as well as urgency at times.
• Effective communication with all stakeholders (students, staff, volunteers, donors, etc.).
• Ability to meet scheduled deadlines under tight time constraints.
• Ease in following directions from supervisor or receiving constructive criticism.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and willingness to learn and utilize other software programs on an as-needed basis.
• Able to work some nights and occasional weekends (not on Shabbat).
• Familiarity with the organized Jewish communal world a plus.
• Familiarity with the college application and financial aid processes (e.g. FAFSA) a plus.
• Ability to use the utmost discretion and protect the confidentiality of JELF information and the personal information of students and their families at all times.