Early Childhood Contract and Finance Specialist - Remote Opportunity!

Futures start here. Where first steps, new friendships, and confident learners are born. At KinderCare Learning Companies, the first and only early childhood education provider recognized with the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award , we offer a variety of early education and child care options for families. Whether it's KinderCare Learning Centers, Champions, or Crème de la Crème, we build confidence for kids, families, and the future we share. And we want you to join us in shaping it-in neighborhoods, at work, and in schools nationwide. At KinderCare Learning Companies, you'll use your skills and expertise to support the work (and fun) that happens in our sites and centers every day. From marketers and strategists to financial analysts and data engineers, and so much more, we're all passionate about crafting a world where children, families, and organizations can thrive. The Early Childhood Contract and Finance Specialist will work with the Senior Manager of Government Programs and Policy and the Manager of Grants and Contracts to support all government funded early childhood contracts for KLC centers, creating budgets that align with contract guidelines and implementing any necessary post-award budget adjustments. This role is ideal for any professional who has managed government funded early childhood center contracts and who enjoys collaborating with others, building new processes, and utilizing strong budgeting skills. Responsibilities: • Support budget development for government funded early childhood applications and annual contract renewals, communicate program funding details to implementation team, and monitor budget spend downs for approximately 120 centers across 16 states. • Ensure program budgets are aligned with funder allowances and reporting requirements to reduce the risk of reimbursement capture. • Work with teams to create guidelines, processes, Standard Operating Procedures, tracking systems, and templates (budget, communication, etc.) to reduce errors and risks related to program funding, spend down, and budgeting strategies. • Work with grant specialists, program monitoring staff, finance business partners, and field leaders to develop pre-k budgets that align with contract requirements for applications (usually within tight deadlines) and transition to the implementation team following an award. • Collaborate with teams to align post-award budget modifications with contract requirements, KLC's goals, and child care center needs to increase our collection/expenditure of pre-k funds. Qualifications: • 3-5 years of experience in pre-k/child care contract management (forms, agencies, processes, professional communication, and contract/budget language) and program implementation • Experience with accounting basics and financial planning, with a firm understanding of financial reports (such as profit & loss statements and balance sheets) • Excellent problem-solving, organizational, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to meet tight deadlines while working both independently and collaboratively. • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint Preferred: Experience with grant budgeting, such as 2 CFR 200, Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and grant fiscal management. #LI-Remote Our benefits meet you where you are. We're here to help our employees navigate the integration of work and life: - Know your whole family is supported with discounted child care benefits. - Breathe easy with medical, dental, and vision benefits for your family (and pets, too!). - Feel supported in your mental health and personal growth with employee assistance programs. - Feel great and thrive with access to health and wellness programs, paid time off and discounts for work necessities, such as cell phones. - ... and much more. We operate research-backed, accredited, and customizable programs in more than 2,000 sites and centers across 40 states and the District of Columbia. As we expand, we're matchi