Sme Loan Specialist

The SME Loan Specialist serves as ARQ SME BDC’s on-the-ground representative, actively sourcing, assessing, and engaging potential SME clients for the company’s smart capital financing solutions.

This role is responsible for business origination, relationship management, and initial loan assessment, ensuring that SME prospects align with ARQ’s investment and financing criteria.

Key Responsibilities:

1. SME Business Origination & Lead Generation

• Identify and engage growth-oriented SMEs that require financing for expansion, working capital, acquisition, or special situations.
• Develop a targeted lead pipeline by leveraging local business networks, industry events, chamber of commerce groups, and digital channels.
• Represent ARQ SME BDC in business forums, networking events, and SME development programs.

2. Client Assessment & Pre-Qualification

• Conduct initial assessments of SME prospects, ensuring they meet ARQ’s eligibility requirements (revenue, profitability, capital structure, and growth potential).
• Gather preliminary financial data, business plans, and other relevant information to support decision-making.
• Work closely with the credit and investment team to align on high-potential leads and structure initial financing discussions.

3. Relationship & Partner Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with SME founders, CFOs, and key decision-makers.
• Act as a trusted advisor, educating SMEs on ARQ’s financial solutions, including mezzanine financing, acquisition funding, and venture debt options.
• Coordinate with referral partners (accounting firms, business consultants, startup accelerators) to generate additional SME leads.

4. Market Intelligence & Business Insights

• Stay updated on SME financing trends, regulatory changes, and industry opportunities that impact business growth in the Philippines.
• Provide market feedback to ARQ’s leadership, helping refine product offerings and sales strategies.

5. Sales & Closing Support

• Facilitate the loan application process by guiding SMEs through documentation and eligibility requirements.
• Work alongside the internal team to streamline onboarding and due diligence.
• Achieve assigned origination targets and contribute to ARQ’s overall portfolio growth.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Experience: At least 3-5 years in SME lending, business development, or financial advisory (experience in banking, private credit, or fintech is a plus).
• Strong SME network and an understanding of the challenges and opportunities of scaling businesses.
• Excellent communication & negotiation skills to engage SME owners and finance teams.
• Analytical mindset with a solid grasp of financial statements and SME credit evaluation.
• Results-driven, self-starter who can work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Fluency in English and Filipino; knowledge of regional dialects is a plus.

Performance Metrics (KPIs):

• Number of qualified SME leads sourced per month
• Conversion rate from lead to loan approval
• Market expansion & new client relationships established

Job Type: Part-time

Expected hours: 15 per week

Benefits:

• Flextime

Application Question(s):

• How many relevant years of experience in originating SME (not micro) business loans

Work Location: In person