Business Development Manager

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

The Business Development Manager will lead business development activities in Iowa. This position will also provide direct business and financial planning, consultation, training, and support to ECE providers; promote FCF and its programs and services; support fund development activities; and connect to diverse FCF stakeholders, partners, and constituents. The incumbent will work closely with the Iowa State Director to promote and ensure the effectiveness of FCF’s core programs and is responsible for community engagement, building local partnerships, and securing additional funding. 

This is a remote position based in Iowa.

Essential Functions

• Works with the FCF-Iowa State Director to develop, promote and implement programs statewide and to ensure achievement of program goals and contract deliverables 
• Builds strong partnerships with regional stakeholders in early care and education, including maintenance of relationships with regional funders representing public and private sectors 
• Provides training and consultation to individual childcare business owners, communities and to external partners/stakeholders to strengthen childcare businesses and build supply of childcare 
• Manage scheduling of program activities and distribution of tasks across the Iowa Team 
• Manages implementation of rural community programs; works with Iowa Director in design and delivery strategies of programs 
• In collaboration with Iowa Director, engages with state partners to discuss childcare policy implementation and impact as well as state processes regarding childcare provider training and capacity building programs 
• Works with Iowa Director and Chief Program Officer to develop new and update existing trainings and tools for childcare business owners 
• Inputs, manages and analyzes external data related to childcare supply as well as internal program data 
• Supervises a team of Business Development Specialists; ensure supervises receive initial and ongoing training on FCF tools and programs; provide ongoing supervision and mentoring to Business Development Specialists 
• 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 a related field or equivalent experience 
• 5 years of consulting, training and public speaking experience 
• 2 years of community development or engagement 
• 2 years of supervisory experience 
• Experience working with small businesses in low to moderate income diverse communities 
• Some experience with early education or childcare 
• A systems thinker that can maintain a big-picture focus while attending to detail 
• Open to learning, accepting positive and constructive feedback 
• Private sector engagement and partnership are a plus 
• Energetic, enthusiastic, with a can-do attitude 
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to work independently 

Preferred

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

Supervisory Responsibilities 

Yes

Work Environment

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

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