Client Relations Representative

Come Grow with Us and Join an Award-Winning Organization! Stearns Bank is looking for a Client Relations Representative. This is a remote-eligible position headquartered out of St. Cloud, Minnesota.

JOB SUMMARY
Responsible for following up and generating additional sales with current customers as well as developing referrals on a continual basis.

Benefits

Stearns recognizes that team members are continuously balancing career, family and wellness needs.  We offer the following benefits to our full-time employees; benefits may vary for part-time positions.

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan & 401k Plan with Employer Match 
• Emergency Savings Account
• Banking Services
• Healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• Telehealth
• Basic & Optional Life Insurance
• Short/Long term disability
• 12-week Paid Medical Leave
• Paid Parental Leave: 21-weeks Primary Care Parent, 14-weeks Secondary Care Parent
• PTO from 13 to 23 days depending on tenure.  Cashout and Carryover options.
• 10 Days Sick Time
• 11 Paid Holidays 
• 4 Days Volunteer Time
• 2 Days Self Allowance Time
• Bereavement Time  
• $5,000 Family Care Reimbursement
  • Childcare, Elder Care, Student Loan Debt, Pet expenses, down payment assistance
• $1,000 Self Improvement Allowance
• Healthcare Travel Reimbursement
• Tuition Assistance

Annual salary range of $60,000 - 85,000. Employment offers will be dependent upon the selected candidate’s relevant qualifications and experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establishes and maintains a list of current clients to generate additional sales. Clients must be contacted on a regular basis by phone and followed up with mailings.
• Maintains a persistent cadence with customers by phone, emails, texts, mail, and occasional visits.
• Generates new leads by capturing referrals from current clients and vendors.
• Generates SBA leads by asking our current clients.
• Ability to find opportunities to sell Stearns Bank products; EFD, SBA, Deposits.
• Demonstrates excellent customer service skills.
• Demonstrates excellent sales skills and ability to sell the product. Continues to enrich selling skills by using the company’s selling tools; reading appropriate literature, watching videos, and role playing with team members.
• Seek growth opportunities within industries.
• Coordinates the activities involved in the administration of setting up a new lease/sales contract/modification such as entering a customer application, sending out legal finance documents, and requesting necessary documents.
• Calculates simple and sophisticated lease/sales contract payment options for the customer using T-Value, a rate card and/or a HP calculator.
• Ability to communicate effectively and structure payment terms with the borrower/vendor/manufacturer/broker on credit decisions, negotiations, document signing & funding.
• Demonstrates accuracy in reviewing contract documents prior to sending to the customer. Handling the customer transaction from start to finish as it flows from department to department. Responsible for making sure the transaction closes in a timely manner and to customer expectations.
• Demonstrates excellent time management skills. Ability to prioritize when multi-tasking as well as effectively using grids to help with organization and prioritization.
• Understands the concept of equipment financing and leasing and stays on the cutting edge of current leasing trends by reading materials on leasing, etc.
• Ability to communicate interdepartmentally.
• Perform the necessary duties for Portfolio Management – outgoing calls, completing risk assessments, collecting payments/fees, and monitoring estimated customer risk.
• Attends and contributes to sales meetings.
• Maintains a good working relationship with all employees and demonstrates collaboration, including backup support as needed.
• Keeps accurate documentation of daily activities by using the daily application follow-up reports and monthly summary reports.
• Maintains a solid understanding of the software programs associated with daily activities such as T-Value, Info-Lease, Microsoft Office, Aspire, FiTech, Sales Force and Excel.
• Work with supervisor/manager to understand sales goals for monthly/yearly funding, approvals, etc.
• Develops and strives to attain person goals for oneself.
• Loss prevention and security as applicable for this position.
• Performs related work as the need arises.
• Completes training as required.
• Maintain a solid understanding of all legal and regulatory compliance issues as they pertain to this position.

REQUIREMENTS

• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 lbs.  
• Literacy in English.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time, twist, bend, sit, walk use hands to twist, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, such as computer mouse, computer keyboard, calculator, stapler, telephone, staple puller, etc., reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, kneel, talk, or hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate degree (A.A.) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school; or two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.  
• Strong oral communication skills.
• Excellent customer relation skills.
• Strong digital literacy including Microsoft Suite.
• Flexible.

THE COMPANY

Founded in 1912, Stearns Financial Services Inc. (SFSI) is a $2.4 billion well-capitalized, independent financial holding company based in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Specializing in nationwide small business lending and equipment financing, Stearns has maintained outstanding customer service, fast decisions, and customized finance solutions to their customers for decades.

Stearns Bank has earned itself a stellar reputation amongst customers and competitors alike. This reputation goes beyond just word-of-mouth, as Stearns has been recognized by the Independent Community Banker’s Association (ICBA) as a top-performing bank in the nation based on a 3-year average Return on Assets for banks $1 billion or more. Stearns has also been recognized by American Banker as a top-performing bank in the nation over a 3-year period for Return on Equity for banks from $2 billion to $10 billion.

As a Star Tribune Top Workplaces award recipient and an award recipient of the Minnesota Business Magazine 100 Best Places to Work in Minnesota, Stearns takes pride in their team and holds their employees in extremely high regard. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package including our Employee Stock Ownership Program-one of the best long-term incentive programs in the nation.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER /AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, or creed, religion, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran’s status, status with regard to public assistance, or any other class protected by Federal, State, local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.