JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Specialist, Head Start Finance & Operations
Employee Type: Full-time Regular
Supervisor Title: Managing Director, Finance and Operations
Division: Head Start, U.S. Programs

Save the Children

For over 100 years, Save the Children has been fighting for the rights of children. The right to a healthy start in life. To have access to education. To be in a safe environment, protected from harm. We work in some of the world’s hardest-to-reach places – over 100 countries, including the U.S. No matter what your role is, when you join Save the Children, you’re creating positive, irreversible change for children, and the future we all share.

The Role

The Specialist, Head Start Finance and Operations, will act as a program financial point person and fiscal advisor to the Program Director. In this role you will report to the Managing Director, Finance and Operations and manage program finances and processes at a local level and ensure responsible stewardship of Head Start funding throughout the life of the award. The Specialist, Head Start Finance and Operation will work with both local and national level staff.

As a frontline representative of Save the Children, you are required to ensure the safety and security of children and families that you come in contact with and adhere to the agency”s values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.

What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)*
*not inclusive of all role responsibilities. May be subject to change.

Program & Budget Holder Support (35%)

• Financial point of contact to the Program Director and sits on Head Start Finance team
• Develop spending projections and plans to ensure timely spending of funds and meeting programmatic goals
• Prepare monthly financial information and report financial results in monthly meetings and to Policy Council
• Support program on all coding related questions and adjusting entries for the assigned Head Start program portfolio, including timesheet coding
• Develop and deliver trainings on financial and operational policies and procedures to field-based staff
• Responsible for staying abreast of federal regulations, Head Start financial reporting standards, Save the Children policies and procedures and ensuring effective implementation and compliance within the Head Start program

Financial Management (55%)

• Stay abreast of financial and administrative policies and procedures to include inventory control, non-federal share, risk management and procurement oversight
• Lead development of all program applications for funding, including state and federal funding as well as private funding
• Manage the Award Management Systems for all assigned areas of financial oversight
• Prepare financial reports for federal grants
• Monitor spending against the program and fiscal year budgets as well as tracking against meeting non-federal match requirements and other required financial metrics
• Monitor, review and approve timely submission of expenses, employee advances, credit card reconciliations and vendor invoices for payment
• Maintain ongoing budget verses actual expenses
• Review donor billing and reimbursement requests for state and private funds
• Monitor timesheet completion and provides monthly labor distribution files for local Human Resources to review
• Complete financial approval for personnel requisitions, ensuring adequate budget availability
• Perform necessary accounting and financial analysis/reporting tasks as needed and assigned
• Prepare Gift In Kind entries for accounting
• Participate in monitoring reviews and audits including self-assessments, OHS reviews, external audit reviews and internal monitoring, as needed and where applicable.
• Review local non-federal share documentation for accuracy, ensuring compliance with Head Start regulations and Save the Children policies on non-federal share
• Share best practices and knowledge while supporting the procurement and invoicing activities of the program

Operations Support (10%)

• Provide support to Facilities and Operations staff on engaging vendors, site logistics and deliveries, and inventory.
• Works closely with Facilities and Operations staff on the solicitation and review of bids related to facility projects, ensuring that bids are in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 to 5 years’ finance or operations experience.
• High School diploma or equivalent relevant experience required.
• Strong skills in excel
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail
• Professional level of specialized knowledge to manage complex tasks, programs or projects
• Strong interpersonal, team building and communication skills
• Demonstrated personal initiative and ability to prioritize and meet deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Nonprofit or Head Start experience a plus.

About Us

We are looking to build an inclusive team at Save the Children. We offer a range of outstanding benefits to support this goal:

• Paid time off: 10 days winter break and 5 days spring break, 5 personal days, 11 holidays plus 2 floating holidays per year.
• Health: Competitive health care, dental and vision coverage for you and your family. Employer paid short term disability and long-term disability benefits.
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA): Option to select HSA if enrolled into a High-Deductible Health Plan in which the company matches a portion of the contribution.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Option to enroll in health care and dependent care options.
• Life: Agency paid life and accidental death and dismemberment benefits (AD&D).
• Family: Parental/adoption, fertility benefits
• Employee Rewards Program: Annual merit increases and/or additional incentives for eligible employees
• Retirement: Retirement savings plan with employer contributions (after one year)
• Wellness: Health benefits and support through Calm and company-hosted events
• Employee Assistance Program: Free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services
• Learning & Growth: Access to internal and external learning & development opportunities and mentorships. Certification and tuition assistance.

Click here to learn more about how Save the Children US will invest in you.

Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom we are in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse.

Save the Children is committed to minimizing safety and security risks for our valued employees, ensuring all are given training, support and information to reduce their risk exposure while maximizing the impact of our programs for children and families. Our shared duty, both agency and individual, is to seek and maintain safe working conditions for all.

If you require disability assistance with the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to [email protected].