Iowa and National Director

FIRST CHILDRENS FINANCE•West Des Moines, IA

6d•Remote

About The Position

First Children’s Finance (FCF) is seeking a talented manager and leader for the Iowa and National Director position. This role requires a strategic, collaborative approach with the ability to inspire, motivate, and empower others. The ideal candidate has a proven track record in program and people management, including external partner relationships, and is a high-functioning generalist, thought leader, and self-starter. Strong fundraising and communications skills are essential, along with creativity, curiosity, innovation, and a continuous improvement mindset to advance FCF’s Theory of Change. The Director will excel at building key stakeholder relationships and overseeing the division. This is a remote position, with a preference for candidates based in Iowa, but open to others familiar with or able to learn the Iowa child care context.

Requirements

Ability to recruit, retain, lead and develop staff
Highly organized, self-motivated, and able to work independently
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, manage risk, and implement plans in a dynamic environment
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; public speaking experience
Ability to work with minimum supervision, yet be a part of a team
Experience in supervising collaborative work with multiple team members
The ability and commitment to be an engaging ambassador and advocate for FCF with key business, community, and government leaders.
Bachelor’s degree in business, organizational development, planning, communication, finance, nonprofit administration, or public administration
At least four (4) years executive or advanced level professional supervisory experience in a nonprofit organization
Successful track record of securing approximately $1 million annually through a mix of philanthropy, government, corporate, and individual donors.
Familiarity with the communities across Vermont, or the ability to quickly make connections in those communities.
Program planning, development, facilitation, and evaluation.
Demonstrated knowledge of community and economic development.
Knowledge of current service trends and emerging models of early care and education.
Proven administrative competence in areas such as financial management, budgeting, planning, and goal setting.
Familiarity with FCF’s Theory of Change, or a positive orientation to change and new ways of doing business, including the ability to innovate and implement continuous improvements.
Open to learning, accepting positive and constructive feedback
Proven track record of monitoring, managing, and analyzing program data and outcomes.
A systems thinker that is able to maintain a big-picture focus while attending to detail.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Knowledge of early care and education issues preferred.
Private sector engagement and partnership is a plus
Energetic, enthusiastic, with a can-do attitude

Responsibilities

Plan and implement an annual fundraising strategy; seek and maintain relationships with institutional funders; secure funding from state government and philanthropy; develop funding proposals and evaluation reports; own and manage annual budget.
Develop, manage, and promote business and financial programs; help Early Childhood Education (ECE) providers build their business skills and capacity; market, evaluate, and improve FCF programs and services; provide training, consultative, and technical assistance to strengthen ECE programs.
Support, develop, and retain qualified and excellent staff, consultants, and volunteers; ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the organization by selecting and developing effective people; foster a culture of cooperation and mutual respect, focusing on outstanding performance.
Maintain strong and effective relationships with ECE business leaders and advocates both in the state and nationally; build and maintain strong relationships with private and public sector leaders, revenue sources, industry leaders, and allied organizations.
Other duties as assigned.