LiftFund
Join to apply for the Market Director – Houston role at LiftFund.
Summary The Market Director for Houston leads LiftFund’s regional strategy for philanthropic investment, public‑sector partnerships, and small business lending growth. This role strengthens LiftFund’s presence across Harris County and the City of Houston and serves as the organization’s primary external representative in the region. The Market Director builds funding relationships, cultivates corporate and civic partnerships, and develops high‑quality borrower pipelines that advance LiftFund’s mission of expanding access to capital and supporting small business resilience.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities Philanthropy and Resource Development
Develop and implement a regional fundraising plan focused on major gifts, corporate partners, bank foundations, and public‑sector investment.
Build and steward relationships with foundations, corporations, anchor institutions, and funders aligned with economic mobility, disaster recovery, and small business stabilization.
Prepare proposals, reports, budgets, and impact materials for donors and partners.
Support multi‑year funding opportunities that strengthen LiftFund’s operating capacity and programs in Houston.
Civic and Strategic Partnerships
Represent LiftFund across Houston’s civic and economic development networks, including chambers, business alliances, community coalitions, and regional initiatives.
Develop and maintain relationships with Harris County, the City of Houston, economic development offices, and other public entities.
Support LiftFund’s participation in recovery‑related convenings, small business forums, and community discussions.
Lending and Pipeline Development
Build a strong pipeline of viable small business loan applicants through referral networks, strategic outreach, and partnerships.
Promote LiftFund’s loan products, disaster programs, and technical assistance offerings across the region.
Coordinate with lending teams to support application readiness and movement through intake, underwriting, and closing.
Monitor the quality and progress of loan prospects and partner referrals.
Community Engagement and Visibility
Represent LiftFund at community events, business forums, workshops, and civic meetings.
Participate in financial education sessions, outreach events, and public presentations.
Strengthen LiftFund’s visibility among small business owners, advisors, and support organizations.
Internal Collaboration and Reporting
Maintain accurate and timely data in CRM and lending systems. Prepare updates, forecasts, and impact reporting for internal teams and leadership.
Collaborate with colleagues across lending, communications, finance, and program teams to support regional strategy.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
Ten (10) years of progressive experience in philanthropy, partnerships, community development, economic development, lending, or external relations.
Experience securing major philanthropic commitments or public‑sector funding. Familiarity with small business capital access, credit readiness, or community economic mobility initiatives.
Strong relationship‑building skills with funders, partners, civic leaders, and community organizations.
Effective communication and public‑speaking capabilities.
Experience working autonomously in externally facing roles that require strategic engagement and regional relationship management.
Strong analytical, organizational, and CRM skills.
Travel Limited travel within the local area and infrequent overnight travel for meetings, conferences, training, or other business‑related activities as needed.
Position Type, Days and Hours This is a full‑time, exempt position. The days and hours of work are generally Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, but the schedule may vary based on the needs of the position and the timing of key meetings and events.
Physical Demands When working on‑site, work is performed in a routine office environment. Prolonged sitting and some standing required. Occasionally lift, pull, carry and push items weighing up to twenty‑five (25) pounds. This job requires working under stressful conditions to meet deadlines and address unexpected work challenges.
LiftFund Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all our applicants and employees without regard to age, color, mental or physical disability, gender, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Also, LiftFund provides reasonable accommodation, and it is committed to engaging in the interactive process.
Seniority level: Director
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Business Development and Sales
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Summary The Market Director for Houston leads LiftFund’s regional strategy for philanthropic investment, public‑sector partnerships, and small business lending growth. This role strengthens LiftFund’s presence across Harris County and the City of Houston and serves as the organization’s primary external representative in the region. The Market Director builds funding relationships, cultivates corporate and civic partnerships, and develops high‑quality borrower pipelines that advance LiftFund’s mission of expanding access to capital and supporting small business resilience.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities Philanthropy and Resource Development
Develop and implement a regional fundraising plan focused on major gifts, corporate partners, bank foundations, and public‑sector investment.
Build and steward relationships with foundations, corporations, anchor institutions, and funders aligned with economic mobility, disaster recovery, and small business stabilization.
Prepare proposals, reports, budgets, and impact materials for donors and partners.
Support multi‑year funding opportunities that strengthen LiftFund’s operating capacity and programs in Houston.
Civic and Strategic Partnerships
Represent LiftFund across Houston’s civic and economic development networks, including chambers, business alliances, community coalitions, and regional initiatives.
Develop and maintain relationships with Harris County, the City of Houston, economic development offices, and other public entities.
Support LiftFund’s participation in recovery‑related convenings, small business forums, and community discussions.
Lending and Pipeline Development
Build a strong pipeline of viable small business loan applicants through referral networks, strategic outreach, and partnerships.
Promote LiftFund’s loan products, disaster programs, and technical assistance offerings across the region.
Coordinate with lending teams to support application readiness and movement through intake, underwriting, and closing.
Monitor the quality and progress of loan prospects and partner referrals.
Community Engagement and Visibility
Represent LiftFund at community events, business forums, workshops, and civic meetings.
Participate in financial education sessions, outreach events, and public presentations.
Strengthen LiftFund’s visibility among small business owners, advisors, and support organizations.
Internal Collaboration and Reporting
Maintain accurate and timely data in CRM and lending systems. Prepare updates, forecasts, and impact reporting for internal teams and leadership.
Collaborate with colleagues across lending, communications, finance, and program teams to support regional strategy.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
Ten (10) years of progressive experience in philanthropy, partnerships, community development, economic development, lending, or external relations.
Experience securing major philanthropic commitments or public‑sector funding. Familiarity with small business capital access, credit readiness, or community economic mobility initiatives.
Strong relationship‑building skills with funders, partners, civic leaders, and community organizations.
Effective communication and public‑speaking capabilities.
Experience working autonomously in externally facing roles that require strategic engagement and regional relationship management.
Strong analytical, organizational, and CRM skills.
Travel Limited travel within the local area and infrequent overnight travel for meetings, conferences, training, or other business‑related activities as needed.
Position Type, Days and Hours This is a full‑time, exempt position. The days and hours of work are generally Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, but the schedule may vary based on the needs of the position and the timing of key meetings and events.
Physical Demands When working on‑site, work is performed in a routine office environment. Prolonged sitting and some standing required. Occasionally lift, pull, carry and push items weighing up to twenty‑five (25) pounds. This job requires working under stressful conditions to meet deadlines and address unexpected work challenges.
LiftFund Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all our applicants and employees without regard to age, color, mental or physical disability, gender, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Also, LiftFund provides reasonable accommodation, and it is committed to engaging in the interactive process.
Seniority level: Director
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Business Development and Sales
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