Senior Product Officer

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

• The Senior Product Officer serves as a lead contributor role in the Business Banking department responsible for sourcing new loan and grant applications—primarily up to $500,000—through inbound, outbound, and web-based lead generation efforts. This role also manages application intake, assesses eligibility, and refers applicants to appropriate NJEDA loan and grant products while maintaining a strong and consistent pipeline of qualified applications.
• The Senior Product Officer will assist with overseeing the end-to-end processing of all department loan and grant applications, acting as a subject matter expert on business banking products, processes, and procedures - supporting the administration of various programs, including loan participations, loan guarantees, direct financing, loans and grants to lenders and other department small business funding initiatives; and ensures compliance with standard operating procedures and supports high-volume program administration with minimal supervision.
• The role supports department leadership with product development, program enhancements, internal reporting, and the management of relationships with Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), and Economic Development Corporations (EDCs). It aligns daily operations with broader business development and outreach strategies to expand NJEDA’s impact across New Jersey’s small and mid-sized business communities, providing analytical capabilities, underwriting knowledge, service excellence, and a solutions-oriented approach to support program growth and mission alignment.

$76,184  - $95,230

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.

Duties

Daily Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Serve as a senior lead in conducting high volume inbound, outbound, and web-based outreach. Cultivate relationships with commercial prospects and centers of influence, referring businesses to the NJEDA Business Banking Department products as appropriate. Assist in developing and managing relationships with CDFIs, MDIs, and engage with local governments and small business community organizations to strengthen referral networks and expand access to NJEDA’s financial products.
• Originate, process, and manage grant and loan financing requests up to $500K ensuring full compliance with program guidelines, and drive high-quality application submissions that support departmental goals. Oversee and assist with loan and grant application processing for the entire department including loan applications over $500,000. Maintain a consistent pipeline of loan and grant opportunities; support departmental goals for originations and capital deployment; and prepare, present, and interpret management-level reports summarizing program activity, trends, and outcomes.
• Track, monitor, and report on inbound, outbound, and web-based lead generation activity; maintain accurate data within CRM systems; and ensure the achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs) for application volume, stakeholder engagement, and program reach. Present loan and grant applications, as well as the referral pipeline, during regular team meetings.

     Projects:

• Support product development, research, and launch of new programs that fill market gaps and support New Jersey’s economic growth.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications to promote products, ensure accurate public-facing information, and share success stories.
• Drive continuous product enhancement and propose process improvements based on market insights and operational feedback

Goals and Objectives:

• Build an active and robust pipeline through targeted marketing and effective outreach initiatives, primarily via high-volume outbound, inbound, and web-based lead generation, to generate regular loan and grant applications up to $500,000 and in alignment with departmental targets. Meet department targets for lead generation, application volume, and program compliance. Increase small business and lender participation in NJEDA supported CDFI, MDI, and EDC programs. Lead targeted webinars and presentations to promote and market business banking products.
• Process and assist department leadership with overseeing and reviewing all department loan and grant applications for small businesses, CDFIs, MDIs, and EDCs and other financial institutions, ensuring service levels and departmental targets are met. Ensure all submitted documentation is comprehensive and complete before forwarding applications to the approval division. Monitor the progress of each transaction from intake through approval and closing.
• Monitor and report on program performance; support the Program Manager of Strategy, Outreach, & Administration with product administration, analysis, reporting, and compliance oversight. Maintain high levels of customer service, ensure proactive applicant outreach, and provide ongoing applicant support. Collaborate closely with the Business Banking Relationship Management team and department leadership to coordinate efforts in promoting, processing, and delivering NJEDA's loan products.

     Collaboration and Cross-Divisional Interaction:

• Lead collaboration efforts with internal and external partners, including Underwriting, Closing Services, Post-Closing Financial Services, and all Product Owners, to ensure thorough and timely file reviews and seamless execution of loan and grant transactions.
• Maintain and promote a culture of professionalism, confidentiality, and diplomacy in all interactions with NJEDA staff, business clients, and external stakeholders, setting the tone for high standards of conduct and ethical responsibility.
• Foster a collaborative, team-oriented, and customer-focused work environment by actively promoting cross-functional communication and partnership across NJEDA divisions and with external partners.
• Represent NJEDA on interagency teams and in engagements with municipal, state, and federal partners; provide leadership in navigating and aligning with various public-sector program requirements and strategic initiative.

    Reporting Structure:

• Reports to the Program Manager of Strategy, Outreach and Administration.
• May supervise temporary staff involved in application processing.
• Works independently on day-to-day tasks but collaborates closely with cross-functional teams and senior staff on strategic initiatives.
• Must complete annual self-assessment as required.
• Performs other duties and special projects, as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications

Technical Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in prioritizing and overseeing multiple high-volume financial products with precision and efficiency. Proven ability to lead the administration and delivery of complex programs while navigating competing priorities and organizational demands with minimal oversight. Skilled in adapting operational strategies in dynamic environments and balancing high-level product sales and execution responsibilities.
• Advanced analytical skills with the ability to lead financial analysis and credit assessment, including in-depth review of income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, personal net worth, and tax returns. Deep knowledge of sound lending and underwriting principles, with a strong track record of ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures, program guidelines, and evolving regulatory requirements.

    Soft Skills:

• Demonstrated leadership in managing and executing high-impact projects and initiatives with minimal supervision. Known for driving consistent, high-quality results, fostering accountability, and promoting a solutions-oriented culture within multidisciplinary teams.
• Self-directed and results-driven, with the ability to lead strategic planning, adapt quickly to shifting priorities, and guide others in a fast-paced, performance-focused environment.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex information to internal leadership, cross-functional teams, and external stakeholders. Recognized for building strong partnerships and delivering clear, strategic messaging to support decision-making and stakeholder engagement.

  Certifications:

• Certification in commercial credit and business relationship management is desired but not required. Other industry-specific certifications are a plus.

  Experience:

• Seven years of experience in customer-facing roles involving the sale of financial products or services, program administration, and/or program development and implementation— including demonstrated success in conducting inbound, outbound, and web-based lead generation, managing application intake, and consistently meeting or exceeding sales targets.
• Advanced degree or industry specific certification may be substituted for 1 year of experience

  Education:

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

  Software/Tools Proficiency:

• Must be experienced in Excel and Microsoft Dynamics
• Ability to learn new software packages
• 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.