Lending Advisor

Reports to: Entrepreneurship Development Manager, Capital | Location: Alberta (Hybrid) | Classification: Full Time | Approximately 37.5 hours per week

ABOUT ALBERTA WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) supports women entrepreneurs at every stage of their business through Access to funds, Women’s community and connections, and Essential learning and training. Our vision is that Alberta’s women entrepreneurs drive economic growth and achieve success on their own terms.

AWE is guided by six core values: Respect, Trust, Inclusion, Client Focused, Curiosity, and Collaboration. AWE strives to be a trusted advisor and provider of services for its clients, THE voice for the community of women entrepreneurs in Alberta, and a thriving, future-focused organization — values that shape every role within the team.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Lending Advisor is a client-facing role at the heart of AWE’s lending programs. This position supports women entrepreneurs through every step of the loan journey — from initial conversation and application through to disbursement and post-loan care — combining financial expertise with a genuine commitment to each client’s success.

The Lending Advisor builds meaningful, trust-based relationships with clients, helps them navigate AWE’s loan programs and broader entrepreneurial support ecosystem, and ensures that every interaction reflects AWE’s commitment to being a trusted advisor for women entrepreneurs across Alberta.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACTIVITIES

Client Engagement & Advising

• Build and maintain genuine, trust-based relationships with prospective and current loan clients throughout their entrepreneurial journey
• Meet with clients to understand their needs, goals, and business context; discuss strategies, available resources, and AWE’s loan programs
• Assess loan readiness and guide clients through AWE’s application process with clarity, empathy, and professionalism
• Review business plans, financial projections, and financial statements as part of the loan assessment process
• Provide clients with tailored options including AWE loan programs, capacity building, advising referrals, and other relevant resources
• Balance empathy and objectivity when working with clients — offering realistic, respectful feedback that supports their decision-making
• Adapt communication styles to meet each client where they are, building trust and ensuring clients feel heard, safe, and supported

Loan Assessment & Processing

• Conduct thorough loan application reviews including assessment of financial statements, cash flow projections, and business plans
• Prepare loan reviews, credit risk assessments, and written recommendations for review and finalization by the Entrepreneurship Development Manager, Capital prior to submission to the Loan Committee
• Conduct searches (credit, property title, corporate, personal) and perform amortization simulations
• Interpret credit bureau reports and assess risk to determine business viability
• Maintain accurate and complete client relationship records in AWE’s CRM, adhering to AWE’s privacy and confidentiality requirements; loan administration data is maintained by the Finance & Operations Coordinator
• Conduct loan documentation review and identification meetings with clients
• Request and confirm information from lenders, solicitors, bookkeepers, and accountants with client consent

Post-Loan Support & Client Care

• Provide ongoing support and communication to clients following loan disbursement, including account inquiries, financial guidance, and check‑ins
• Assist clients in understanding their financial statements, repayment obligations, and credit risk factors
• Conduct after‑loan business support including virtual or in‑person client visits where appropriate
• Collaborate with the broader AWE team to connect loan clients with relevant learning programs, advising services, and community resources
• Escalate any client account concerns, missed payments, or changes in client circumstances to the Entrepreneurship Development Manager, Capital for follow‑up

Community Representation & Collaboration

• Represent AWE’s loan programs in the community, building awareness and positive relationships with entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners
• Stay informed of market conditions, business trends, and external factors that influence client business success
• Collaborate with the AWE team to identify opportunities for improving client processes and the overall lending experience
• Contribute to the delivery of learning sessions and client‑facing events as needed

AWE VALUES IN ACTION

In this role, you will be expected to bring A