Career Meets Purpose Hub

HR, Operations, and Administration

Overview

Behind every effective CDFI are the people and systems that make it run. Human resources (HR), operations, and administration professionals build the culture, processes, and tools that enable teams to deliver lasting community impact.

These roles often extend beyond traditional HR or operations functions. Practitioners may design competitive benefits packages within lean budgets, navigate the complexities of multi-state staffing, or identify technology solutions that maximize limited resources. They balance operational rigor with the heart of community development, ensuring CDFIs stay both people-centered and institutionally strong.

In short, these professionals are the connectors and problem-solvers who keep mission and operations moving together. Their leadership sustains teams, strengthens systems, and ensures CDFIs can focus on what they do best: creating opportunity for all.

Three people standing in a group, talking and laughing. Two people have their hands on each others' shoulders.
Image courtesy of Boston Impact Initiative, a small business lender.

What Do HR, Operations & Administration Professionals Do?

  • Lead recruitment and hiring. Oversee job postings, candidate sourcing, interviewing, and onboarding.
  • Design and administer programs. Build compensation, benefits, training, and professional development initiatives.
  • Ensure workforce compliance. Monitor adherence to federal, state, and local labor laws, often across multiple jurisdictions, to maintain a safe, healthy workplace.
  • Coordinate operations. Manage payroll, leave administration, and organizational policies while coordinating workflows that keep daily operations running smoothly.
  • Manage technology and data systems. Implement and maintain tools that support HR and operations functions, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and security.
  • Improve processes. Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, strengthen systems, and align operations with organizational strategy.
  • Foster organizational development. Guide succession planning, retention efforts, and culture-building initiatives that align with mission.
  • Strengthen resilience and risk management. Establish practices that safeguard staff and sustain organizational continuity during challenges.

Key Skills and Sample Job Titles

Relationship Management

HR, operations, and administration professionals are trusted resources for staff. They cultivate positive relationships across the organization, address employee needs, and foster collaboration to keep teams working effectively.

Professional Development Resources

Practitioner Resource Library

Access a curated library of tools and resources for HR and administrative operations professionals, including:

  • CDFI Loan Fund Compensation Survey Report
  • Talent Recruitment, Retention & Management Toolkit
  • Webinar | Navigating the Digital Realm: Cybersecurity & AI for CDFIs
Find Resources

Trainings

Explore OFN’s growing course catalog of training, designed to help enhance the knowledge and skills you need to make greater impact in your role. Training specifically for HR and administrative practitioners includes:

  • CDFI 101: Orientation to the Industry
Learn More

Peer Learning

OFN members are invited to join the HR & Administrative Operations Peer Learning Community. This is a virtual space to network, share information, and problem-solve with peers on an ongoing basis.

OFN also hosts a People & Talent Summit, a gathering designed to build community, share strategies, and develop actionable solutions for recruiting, retaining, and supporting CDFI teams. The Summit is open to all.

Learn More

Faces of the Industry

Lupita Medina headshot
Shayla Jackson headshot
Jesse Carrasco headshot
Lupita Medina headshot
Shayla Jackson headshot
Jesse Carrasco headshot

“What keeps me engaged is impact—knowing my work strengthens both our employees’ experience and the lives of families touched by our mission. Every effort contributes to creating change, opportunities, and building generational wealth where it is needed most, which makes the work deeply meaningful and motivating every day.”

— Lupita Medina, Director of Human Resources, Housing Trust Silicon Valley

“I appreciate the opportunity to learn about employee engagement and motivation, to better understand how my organization can show that we care about our people. There is a lot of creativity involved, and I know that my work has a meaningful impact on the clients we serve as well as our community.”

— Shayla Jackson, Office Administrator/Benefits Coordinator, Sequoyah Fund

“I reached a career crossroads and realized I needed to be part of something more purposeful and values-driven. Discovering the work of CDFIs—supporting small businesses and underserved communities—was serendipitous, especially as a former small business owner. The mission, the impact, and the people committed to economic opportunity aligned perfectly with what I was seeking.”

— Jesse Carrasco, LiftFund

“What keeps me engaged is impact—knowing my work strengthens both our employees’ experience and the lives of families touched by our mission. Every effort contributes to creating change, opportunities, and building generational wealth where it is needed most, which makes the work deeply meaningful and motivating every day.”

— Lupita Medina, Director of Human Resources, Housing Trust Silicon Valley

“I appreciate the opportunity to learn about employee engagement and motivation, to better understand how my organization can show that we care about our people. There is a lot of creativity involved, and I know that my work has a meaningful impact on the clients we serve as well as our community.”

— Shayla Jackson, Office Administrator/Benefits Coordinator, Sequoyah Fund

“I reached a career crossroads and realized I needed to be part of something more purposeful and values-driven. Discovering the work of CDFIs—supporting small businesses and underserved communities—was serendipitous, especially as a former small business owner. The mission, the impact, and the people committed to economic opportunity aligned perfectly with what I was seeking.”

— Jesse Carrasco, LiftFund