Vice President of Sales and Development

Company Description

Founded in 1982, Dakota Business Lending is the largest and most experienced 504 Certified Development Company (CDC) in North Dakota. This private, not-for-profit organization serves North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Minnesota, driving economic development by supporting small businesses with customized financing solutions. Dakota Business Lending has a strong track record, distributing over $600 million in loans and creating a total project impact exceeding $1.2 billion.

DBL offers SBA 504 loans, New Market Tax Credits, and a direct loan program that remains committed to fostering growth and building long‑term relationships within the business community.

The Vice President of Sales and Business Development is a senior executive responsible for driving loan production, expanding referral and partner networks, and growing market share across the organization’s small business and community development lending programs. This mission‑critical role leads all sales, outreach, and business development functions, ensuring strong pipeline generation and excellent borrower experience. This position is part of the DBL management team.

The Vice President works in close partnership with Credit/Processing and Closing / Servicing leadership to ensure lending growth aligns with program requirements, risk appetite, and long‑term portfolio health. Travel within the DBL footprint is expected and required. This position is based out of the Fargo Corporate office.

• Lead and manage the sales/origination team to achieve production, pipeline, and conversion targets.
• Set sales goals, monitor performance, and implement accountability systems and coaching rhythms.
• Oversee prospecting, qualification, proposal development, and client onboarding to improve speed and borrower experience.
• Ensure consistent sales practices, CRM product development and usage, and pipeline reporting across the team.

• Design and execute strategies to expand lending activity across the Corporation’s footprint and with all products such as SBA 504, revolving loan funds, New Markets Tax Credits, and other direct financing programs.
• Identify and develop new markets, geographic expansion opportunities, and lending channels.
• Build strategic partnerships with banks, economic development organizations, municipalities, chambers, brokers, and other referral sources.
• Represent the organization externally through events, conferences, and community engagement.

• Partner with Credit/Underwriting to ensure smooth pipeline handoffs, clear eligibility standards, and consistent borrower communications.
• Collaborate with Servicing and Compliance to support portfolio performance, borrower success, and regulatory alignment.
• Provide market feedback to inform credit policy enhancements, product adjustments, and process improvements (without direct credit approval authority).

• Participate in executive leadership meetings, contribute to growth planning and mission outcomes and maintain Dakota Business Lending’s reputation as a leader in small business lending in the entire DBL service area.
• Track and report key metrics including originations, pipeline health, conversion rates, partner activity, and borrower satisfaction.
• Use data and market insight to forecast volume and refine go-to-market strategies.
• Management and development of sales systems, processes, and tools (i.e. Insightly CRM and sales playbook) is a critical component of this role.

• Recruit, develop, hire, and retain top business development officers and sales talent.
• Build a…