Business Development Specialist

Mission and Organizational Background

First Children’s Finance (FCF) mission is to grow the supply and business sustainability of excellent childcare. Founded in 1991, FCF provides business and financial assistance to business owners and leaders in the field of early care and education.  

We work on three levels: 

• Business level – supporting care business owners with training, consultation and tools to improve financial sustainability. 
• Community level – supporting local planning efforts to increase the supply and sustainability of childcare. 
• Systems level – partnering with state, tribal and local systems to improve investments, policies, and processes.   

FCF is headquartered in Minneapolis and has active programs in multiple states, with offices in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, and Vermont. Learn more at www.firstchildrensfinance.org. 

Job Summary

FCF Iowa team is seeking a Business Development Specialist (BDS) to work with small businesses in the metro region of Iowa. This position is a remote work opportunity with the expectation of travel within the region when required to meet with partners, individual childcare businesses, and communities.  

The Business Development Specialist position provides business and financial planning, consultation, training and support to early care and education providers; promotes FCF and its programs and services; and connects to a diverse group of FCF stakeholders, partners, and constituents. This position works closely with members of the FCF team to promote and ensure the effectiveness of FCF’s core programs, including: (1) consulting services and technical assistance to childcare businesses; (2) training and education to a variety of audiences; and (3) facilitation of community engagement activities. 

This is a remote position based in Iowa.

Essential Functions

• Develops, promotes, and implements programs, services, and resources to support the mission of FCF. 
• Provides training and consultation support to childcare businesses to improve business practices and strengthen operations. 
• Assists start-up childcare businesses and existing childcare businesses experiencing financial crisis. 
• Provides input and analyzes financial and program data. 
• Assists with program reporting as assigned. 
• Facilitates small-group and community engagement activities in support of FCF’s community-based programming. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to provide business and financial consultation and training 
• Ability to read, interpret, and analyze financial statements and develop and manage budgets 
• Ability to think strategically, plan regionally, and implement plans on the ground 
• Ability to promote a positive image of FCF and position FCF as a key resource in the field of early care and education 
• Ability to be flexible and work collaboratively with a diversity of FCF staff, customers, partners and stakeholders 
• Excellent written and oral communications skills 
• Ability to work with minimum supervision, yet be a part of a team 

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent experience. 
• Minimum of four years’ experience in financial management, planning, and/or training. 
• Successful experience in consulting, training, lending, and/or financial analysis. 
• Experience working with small businesses or experience owning/operating in a small business. 
• A strategic thinker and planner as well as an effective implementer. 
• Energetic, enthusiastic, with a can-do attitude. 
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to work independently. 
• Familiar with state childcare licensing regulations. 

Preferred

• Direct experience with childcare. 
• Experience in resource development and/or fundraising. 
• Experience in private sector engagement and partnership. 
• Public speaking experience. 

Work Environment

• Must be able to work on the computer for extended periods of time. 
• Ability to travel when needed. 

Additional Notes:  

This job description represents the major functions of the position but is not intended to be all-inclusive. The incumbent is also responsible for taking direction from FCF representatives in completing projects or performing duties deemed necessary for the program and FCF success. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Benefits 

Our benefits package includes four (4) medical plans, two (2) dental plans, a vision plan, basic life coverage of $50,000, short-term and long-term disability insurance, nine (9) holidays, personal holidays (pro-rated based on hire date), pro-rated paid time off in the first year, partial paid family medical leave, and home office allowance. Allowable travel costs are reimbursed. Flexible work environment.  

First Children’s Finance honors candidates’ time and effort in job-seeking by providing transparency regarding compensation. Creating transparency regarding salary information reduces the gender pay gap, and eliminates salary negotiation, which rarely benefits people of color or women. It is a value of our organization to support equitable hiring practices.   

First Children’s Finance is an Equal Employment Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer