Assistant Vice President Community Engagement

Universal 1 Credit Union (U1) is a not-for-profit financial institution that exists to create personal, community, and financial well-being. Our way of life is centered on being Trustworthy, Friendly, and Reliable.

U1 Purpose: Working together on your journey to financial empowerment.

U1 Mission: Where U Come 1st!

U1 Vision: Beyond What You Expect

POSITION PURPOSE

Responsible for executing and managing the credit union's community engagement programs, partnerships, and outreach efforts in alignment with the established engagement strategy.

This role will be central in fostering long-term relationships with small to mid-sized businesses, managing SEG relationships both in and out of the field of membership, and ensuring the credit union's services meet the evolving financial needs of business owners. The AVP Community Engagement will work to drive business growth, increase lending, and maximize the credit union's community impact, while strengthening our role as a trusted partner for businesses within and outside our membership. The AVP implements initiatives aligned with U1's strategic community engagement plan, working collaboratively with internal teams to maximize the credit union's impact.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

• Assumes responsibility for the development, and implementation of community engagement policies, procedures, planning, and short/long-term goals that complement corporate-wide plan(s). Conducts periodic reviews of existing policies and procedures to ensure proper adherence, maximum efficiency, and service delivery.
• Assumes responsibility for the effective and efficient administration and performance of community engagement functions.
  • Business Community Engagement: Implement and manage community engagement programs with the business community in alignment with established strategies. Build and nurture long-term relationships with small business members, helping them achieve their financial goals through tailored products, services, and business lending solutions.
  • Business Membership Growth: Execute targeted outreach initiatives to attract and retain business members, following pre-approved strategies. Focus on increasing the number of business accounts, loans, and lines of credit by identifying and addressing the unique financial needs of business owners.
  • Business Lending Strategy: Drive business lending growth by promoting loan products, credit lines, and other financial services to businesses in our field of membership. Execute outreach efforts to engage potential borrowers and guide them through the lending process, in collaboration with Lending teams.
  • SEG Business Engagement: Foster relationships with business-oriented SEGs both within and outside of our field of membership. Work closely with SEG partners to ensure businesses and their employees have access to credit union services, including business accounts, employee benefits, and financial literacy resources.
  • Community Investment & Social Responsibility Initiatives: Ensure that the credit union's corporate social responsibility efforts align with the needs of the local business community. Support initiatives that create a positive impact for businesses and strengthen the community's economic health.
  • Partnerships and Local Economic Development: Cultivate strategic partnerships with local chambers of commerce, business associations, and community organizations to promote business engagement. Identify and support participation in economic development initiatives as directed by leadership.
  • Financial Education: Coordinate and deliver financial literacy programs, workshops, and seminars based on established curriculum and goals. Promote financial wellness through education on financial planning, cash flow management, and credit building.
  • Community Events and Sponsorships: Oversee and support the planning of community and business-focused events, sponsorships, and outreach initiatives. Foster the credit union's presence in business networks and local economic development efforts.
  • Communication & Branding: Collaborate with VP Marketing to support communication efforts that promote the credit union's community involvement.
  • Data Analysis & Reporting: Track and report on the effectiveness of membership growth, SEG engagement, and lending efforts. Use data-driven insights to refine engagement strategies and increase community impact.
• Assumes responsibility for establishing and maintaining effective, professional business relations with members and communities. This includes resolving member requests and questions promptly and keeping members informed of Credit Union services and policies.
• Effectively supervises department personnel, ensuring optimal performance.
  • Provide leadership to personnel through effective objective setting, delegation, communication, and training. Conducts staff meetings informing personnel of policy, procedural, and legal changes. Discuss areas needing improvements. Encourages team atmosphere setting departmental and individual goals.
  • Responsible for motivating and ensuring the staff are well trained, effective, and optimally used. Identifies training needs, develops, and implements appropriate training programs. Conducts training sessions and cross-trains as appropriate.
  • Provide ongoing coaching and feedback to staff regularly. Formulates and implements corrective actions or rewards as appropriate.
  • Ensure that staffing levels are appropriate. Interviews, hires, and assigns personnel.
  • Assists, supports, and serves personnel as needed.
• Assumes responsibility for establishing and maintaining effective communication with area personnel and with Management. This includes attending meetings as appropriate, accurate and prompt reports, keeping supervisor informed of area activities and significant problems, and regular contact with other departments and divisions to obtain/correct information and feedback.
• Assumes responsibility for other duties as required or assigned.
  • Ensures work area is clean, secure, and well maintained.
  • Completes special projects as assigned.
  • Serves as a devoted brand champion.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor's degree in business, Finance, Marketing, related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

Experience Required:

• Minimum of five (5) years of related progressive experience in community engagement, business development or marketing, preferably in a financial environment.
• Two (2) years of leadership experience is required.
• Experience with Google Analytics and Web/Mobile/Social Media Content Creation and Management

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to foster relationships and key community stakeholders, with a clear focus on building lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships.
• Strong organizational skills and detail oriented.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Data-driven mindset with the ability to analyze performance metrics, adjust strategies, and deliver on goals.
• Passionate about business community empowerment, economic development, and fostering financial well-being for small and mid-sized businesses.
• Demonstrated writing skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office programs and the ability to operate computer applications.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Ability to multi-task, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.

Preferred:

• Experience working within the financial services sector, preferably in a credit union, with a focus on business community engagement and SEG relationships.
• Proven success in managing and growing business memberships, including a strong background in business lending and financial products tailored to small and mid-sized businesses.
• Knowledge of Credit Union products and services

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

Work Environment: The work environment described here is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level is usually moderate and typical of those in a typical office or call center. Duties may include travel such as visiting branches, community events, business visits, vendors, and/or marketing event locations.

Physical and Intellectual Demands:

This position requires moderate travel. Locations include but are not limited to the U1 field of membership. When not traveling, this position reflects that of a standard office environment.

Ability to hear normal conversations, type, pick up small objects, and convey detailed instructions accurately. Ability to apply logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions. Ability to perform simple algebra, profit and loss, proportion, percentage, and ratios. Ability to prepare business letters, proposals, summaries, and reports using proper punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Ability to conduct training and make professional presentations.