Finance Contract Specialist

POSITION : Finance Contract Specialist

Base Salary Range : $62,830.00- $73,916.92

Extended Salary Range : $62,830.00-$99,787.43

FLSA Status : Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO : Controller

AGENCY SUMMARY :

BrightSpark Early Learning Services has been at the forefront of the early learning landscape for over 30 years ensuring that all children have equitable access to safe, engaging, and positive early learning experiences that promote school readiness and lifetime success.

With a staff of over 140 and a budget of $50 million (99% publicly funded), BrightSpark Early Learning Services provides a broad array of services for families and childcare providers so that they in turn can support the development and well-being of our children.

OPPORTUNITY :

The Finance Contract Specialist supports the agency's mission through the day-to-day administration of agency revenue functions.

Two positions will share responsibility for almost 50 contracts from the start of the service year to closing, partnering with the program, fund development, and finance staff to ensure all requirements are met and spending is aligned with the budget.

The Finance Department supports and works collaboratively with agency staff to assure the highest quality service to families, childcare providers, and the community.

It is our goal to develop and sustain the services and infrastructure that most effectively support the people, mission, and goals of BrightSpark Early Learning Services.

The Contract Specialist will frequently interact with both our internal and external partners, focusing on meeting the individual needs of each customer.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Provide grant management and compliance support, ensuring projects are implemented, monitored, and measured according to funder regulations.
• Support the implementation of Pyango and NetSuite Non-Profit + Grant Management software.
• Maintain this online contract data system and schedule of city, county, state, and federal awards to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Assist in developing and rolling out systems and procedures for effective grant compliance, monitoring, implementation, reporting, and closeout.
• Monitor and coordinate all grant phases ensuring transparency and proactive management of budget, contract terms, performance outcomes, compliance, licensing, insurance, and other requirements.
• Serve as a resource for fiscal compliance matters and programmatic standards for grant-funded programs.
• Expedite the processing, review, and approval of grant and contract agreements, ensuring they meet requirements and protocols.
• Monitor spending for awarded grants and contracts, ensuring reports are supported by organizational records.
• Provide projections based on current spending to enable program staff to better manage their budgets.
• Conduct periodic project audits and advise on critical grant management issues and opportunities.
• Maintain positive work relationships, fostering a collaborative and respectful work environment.
• Support BrightSpark Early Learning Services's mission by treating all donors, contacts, and colleagues with respect and dignity.
• Collaborate with programs on funding opportunities, supporting proposal completion, including written materials and budget development.
• Provide training on grant requirements, federal compliance policies, and procedures.
• Stay updated on federal and state funding trends, maintaining compliance and identifying new funding opportunities.
• Run reports for statistics on data accuracy, clients served, and program outcomes.
• Participate in program evaluation and monitoring to improve grant compliance and program outcomes.
• Prepare timely invoices and reports on contract activity.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES :

• Associate degree (Accounting Preferred) and three years experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified, or High School Diploma and five years related experience.
• Skills in Microsoft Excel and computer literacy; ability to learn new software quickly. Good fundamental math, analytical, and critical thinking skills and focus on attention to detail.

Net Suite experience is a plus.

• Advanced organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment ensuring delivery of high-quality work.
• Advanced time management skills and ability to prioritize in a hybrid work model. Demonstrate the ability to work both independently and within a team effectively and collaboratively with a diverse population of colleagues, program staff, and payers.
• Effective external and internal customer service skills including written and verbal communications, demonstrates empathy and listening.
• Ability to model flexibility, multi-task, open and responsive to ongoing industry changes.
• Ability to identify opportunities and obstacles and develop effective, creative responses to both problem-solving and the pursuit of new opportunities.
• Commitment to excellence in job performance and willingness to follow through on all reasonable means to complete assigned functions in the most timely and accurate fashion possible.
• Experience collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, cultural relevancy, Racial Equity, and inclusion.
• Must be able to pass the yearly credit and criminal background checks.

COMPETENCIES :

• Core Competencies -
• Mission-driven : Demonstrates commitment to the mission and values of the mission.
• Equity mindset : Demonstrates the values of anti-racism; fosters an inclusive environment that facilitates diversity.
• Communication : Uses skillful written and oral communication with internal staff, teams, and community served; demonstrates empathy and listening.
• Adaptability : Adapts and responds to change; proactively seeks opportunities to be supportive of change that serves our mission
• Ownership and quality of work : Manages own work, and work of teams when relevant, ensuring delivery of successful outcomes.

COMPENSATION :

• Base Salary Range : $62,830.00- $73,916.92
• Extended Salary Range : $62,830.00-$99,787.43
• FLSA Status : Non-exempt
• This is a full-time salaried position requiring work during BrightSpark Early Learning Services Business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 : 30 am-5 pm, and requires a willingness to work some evenings and weekends.

The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum salary range for this position. Base salary will be used when considering compensation for a new employee.

Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill, and education as they relate to the position's qualifications, in addition to internal racial equity.

The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total compensation package.

Other components of the total compensation package may include participation in group life, health and / or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program(s), paid time off, and paid holidays.

This statement should not exceed 300 words.

BENEFITS :

BrightSpark Early Learning Services' benefits package includes employer-paid top-tier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for employees, 21 days of PTO per year in addition to 11 paid holidays, 3 paid floating holidays, birthday holiday, and one week-long office closure at year-end, Refresh Fridays in July (BrightSpark Early Learning Services Closure Days), flexible work environment, employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability / illness leave accrual, and 401k with 3% employer match.

WORK LOCATION :

• This position is a Hybrid A minimum of 2 days a week, Mondays & Wednesdays in the Renton office.
• Employees BrightSpark Early Learning Services employees in all types of work positions (hybrid, community, etc.) must attend training, meetings, events, or other work commitments at various BrightSpark Early Learning Services office locations or off-site locations in Washington State including New Employee Orientation in Kent, Washington.

EQUAL EQUITY EMPLOYER :

BrightSpark Early Learning Services is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity among our staff. We strongly encourage people of color, immigrants and refugees, people from the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and people from other historically marginalized groups to apply.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & QUESTIONS

• To learn more about BrightSpark Early Learning Services, please visit BrightSpark.org
• BrightSpark Early Learning Services is a grant-funded nonprofit organization. This and all positions are contingent on grant funding being in place and can end based on the expiration of funding.
7 hours ago