Job Title: Senior Director of Finance
The Organization: Shine Early Learning
Who We Are:
Acelero, Inc. is a for-profit, mission-driven company that aims to improve school readiness for low-income children, by both directly operating Head Start programs and offering programmatic support to other Head Start grantees.
Established in 2001, Acelero, Inc. is made up of two divisions - Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning. Acelero Learning provides direct Head Start services to more than 5,000 children and families in four states (delegates) – New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Acelero Learning’s programs have been identified as a national exemplar, a model to the nation for early childhood education, and most significantly, has demonstrated best-in-class child outcomes gains, even during the pandemic.
Shine Early Learning (Shine), established in 2009, was created to scale the dissemination and utilization of Acelero Learning’s proven tools and approaches through partnerships to other Head Start programs nationally. In the past three years, Shine has further diversified its offerings through training, technical assistance, and consultation to publicly funded early childhood systems, including the launch of SPARK Learning Labs.
Our diverse employee workforce is made up of more than 1500 employees, comprising dedicated teachers, passionate family advocates, dynamic Center Directors and Coordinators, visionary senior leaders, and strategic executive leaders. Shine boasts partnerships across a wide expanse of states and territories throughout the country, ranging from Head Start grantees to comprehensive statewide systems. Together, we form a vibrant community committed to making a difference, fostering growth, and nurturing the potential in every child we serve.
The Current Landscape: At the forefront of educational innovation, Acelero Inc. is navigating a pivotal phase of strategic transformation, commenced in June 2021, with a clear vision to expand exponentially and dismantle inequities. Guided by the insights and leadership of a diverse and representative national Design Team, the company has meticulously crafted a new vision, mission, and core values, underpinned by a robust theory of change. This strategic evolution involves a deliberate restructuring of the organizational framework, positioning Acelero Inc. to achieve its objectives, and to surpass them significantly. Central to the company's ethos is an unwavering commitment to recognize and nurture every child's potential, ensuring no child is left behind due to systemic inequalities. Acelero Inc. is steadfast in its mission to empower families, fostering their ability to advocate effectively for their children and themselves. This period of transformative growth and commitment to equity presents a unique opportunity to contribute to Acelero Inc.'s journey towards shaping a more inclusive and empowering educational landscape.
The Purpose of the Role
At Shine Early Learning, we're not just adapting to change, we're driving it. The Senior Director of Finance will be responsible for delivering high-quality, efficient, and professional financial services to Shine partners, wrapped in an exceptional customer experience. As a key financial leader, you'll drive operational excellence and uphold the financial integrity of our programs at various stages of growth. Join us in making a significant impact on the financial health of Shine's mission-driven initiatives.
What You’ll Work On
Provide technical assistance services to Shine partners on budgeting, financial strategy, Head Start and Early Head Start financial regulations or Performance Standards, early learning/child care fiscal regulations, and financial analysis and planning.
Serve as a financial strategic thought partner supporting the partner on analysis, forecasting, and budgeting initiatives, including ad hoc projects.
Provide strategic support and assists in the development of strong processes regarding program revenue dynamics, including the strategy for in-kind / non-federal share sources, state pre-K, CACFP, CCDF, and other state and local funding opportunities.
Assist or support the completion of budgets for various grant submissions related to new funding award announcements, baseline applications, continuation applications, and enrollment or conversion applications.
Provide a series of trainings to support fiscal staff that will allow for an understanding of key financial Head Start regulations
Performs landscape and opportunity analysis in collaboration with executive leadership to explore new avenues for profitable growth for Shine Early Learning.
Foster cross-functional support with programmatic operations, particularly in early childhood education and community outreach services.
Maintain documentation of all expenditures and ensure compliance with grant requirements.
About You (Requirements/competencies)
Master’s degree required in Finance or Business Administration. CPA preferred.
Minimum of 5 years of Head Start fiscal experience and knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.
Experience submitting applications in the Head Start Enterprise System and Grant Solutions
Minimum five (5) years experience in financial management/planning in a leadership capacity required. “Leadership capacity” here means responsibility for oversight and/or execution on the holistic financial management of a specific business unit or portfolio of business lines within an organization, as well as the direct supervision of one or more staff members.
When/Where/How Much
Start Date: Anticipated Fall 2024
Location/Travel: Remote
Salary: $125,000 - $150,000
INTERESTED AND READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEPS?
For more insights about our organization and the specific role, we encourage you to delve into our FAQs.
To access the FAQ, please copy and paste the following URL into your browser:
2024 Acelero - TA General FAQs.pdf
Email Talent Acquisition Partner: recruiting@acelero.net
We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and healthy workplace.
