Business Development Specialist, Bilingual Preferred

First Children’s Finance (FCF) is a national nonprofit founded in 1991 that grows the supply and business sustainability of excellent child care. FCF provides business and financial assistance to early care and education (ECE) providers at the individual business, community, and systems levels. Headquartered in Minneapolis, FCF operates in multiple states with regional offices in Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Oregon, and Vermont.

About the role

FCF Minnesota is seeking a Business Development Specialist (BDS) to work remotely with small child-care businesses in the Twin Cities metro region. The role involves travel within the region to meet partners, providers, and communities. The BDS provides business and financial planning, consultation, training, and support to ECE providers; promotes FCF programs; and engages diverse stakeholders. This position collaborates closely with the FCF team to deliver core programs: consulting services, training, and community engagement activities. Candidates must reside in the Twin Cities metro area.

Responsibilities

• Develop, promote, and implement programs, services, and resources to support FCF’s mission.
• Provide training and consultation to child-care businesses to improve practices and strengthen operations.
• Assist start-up and financially distressed child-care businesses.
• Analyze financial and program data; assist with program reporting.
• Facilitate small-group and community engagement activities for FCF’s community-based programming.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Minimum four years’ experience in financial management, planning, and/or training.
• Experience in consulting, training, lending, and/or financial analysis.
• Experience working with or owning/operating a small business.
• Strategic thinker and effective implementer.
• Energetic, enthusiastic, and self-motivated with a can-do attitude.
• Highly organized; able to work independently and collaboratively.
• Familiarity with state child-care licensing regulations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience in child care.
• Experience in resource development, fundraising, or private-sector partnerships.
• Public speaking experience.

Skills

• Promote FCF’s positive image and position it as a key ECE resource.
• Read, interpret, and analyze financial statements; develop and manage budgets.
• Work collaboratively with communities of color and low-resourced communities.
• Think strategically and implement plans effectively.
• Flexible and able to collaborate with diverse staff, customers, partners, and stakeholders.
• Work with minimal supervision while contributing to a team.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Work Conditions

• Extended computer use.
• Travel within the Twin Cities metro region as needed.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance.
• Paid holidays, time off, and family medical leave.
• Reimbursement for allowable travel costs.

First Children’s Finance values equitable hiring practices and provides transparent compensation to reduce the gender pay gap and eliminate salary negotiation barriers.