Business Coach

Job Summary
The Central Indiana Child Care Alliance ("the Alliance"), in partnership with the United Way of Central
Indiana, is a regional initiative supporting licensed family child care home programs across Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan, and Putnam counties - beginning in Marion County and expanding over four years. Through this collaborative model, child care professionals pool needs and share resources to build sustainable operations and deliver high-quality programming. By centralizing access to tools, services, and professional expertise, the Alliance helps child care professionals reduce costs through operational efficiencies and increase revenue through stronger business systems and staffing support.

The business coach will support child care business owners to improve overall function and program
sustainability through individualized coaching with onsite visits, virtual meetings, and group learning
opportunities. This role works with 30-35 providers to offer coaching and access to specialized services and supports designed to achieve the outcomes of program sustainability and best business practices. The coach supports child care professionals in implementing enrollment strategies, full fee collection, funding diversification, budgeting, and other key business practices. They also support with implementing standard employment practices and using automation through child care management software (CCMS) to support efficient operations. The coach assists professionals in accessing specialized early care and education services and provides all services in a collaborative, reflective, and efficient manner.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Delivers coaching to Alliance members to support long-term financial sustainability of the program, including the following:
  • Collects baseline data regarding business practices, operations, and metrics and updates
    information periodically
  • Analyzes data to recommend coaching goals, program services, and activities that best meet the interest and needs of the participants
  • Supports onboarding process for child care professionals with selected child care management software
  • Provides guidance and resources related to standard employment practices and refers Alliance members to specialized HR or legal resources as appropriate
  • Works with Alliance members to streamline management of child attendance data, enrollment and subsidy data, program compliance tracking, and time management

• Ensures comprehensive and impactful child care program member participation in Alliance services and supports
  • Tracks Alliance member documentation and use of Alliance services and impact
  • Monitors members' CCMS enrollment and usage in order to coach and encourage members
    to use their CCMS and all its relevant features; collaborates with other Alliance staff and
    business partners to support members through CCMS challenges and leverage data to make
    recommendations for future supports
  • Coaches members on Child and Adult Care Food Program use, collaborating with child care
    professionals and food program sponsor staff to ensure proper use of sponsor software and
    within required time frames
  • Promote member use of specialized services offered to Alliance members
  • Schedule, plan, facilitate, and garner participation in regularly-scheduled meetings

• Provides program services in a manner that reflects best practice in adult learning
  • Recognizes the need to maintain a dual focus on relationships with participants and program
    activities by fostering an assets- or strengths-based approach
  • Provides an individualized consultant approach to fit the member's learning style and
    identified needs
  • Demonstrates sensitivity to linguistic, cultural, social, economic, individual, and role
    differences among the families and children they serve
  • Assists in the creation and implementation of action goals to guide the work with participants
  • Uses training techniques that are interactive and offer participants an opportunity to reflect

• Work habits
  • Maintains up-to-date documentation on session activities and participant progress including
    contact logs, goal updates, and/or other required documentation
  • Uses independent judgment and discretion in setting daily priorities to complete tasks and
    meet job expectations, leveraging supervisor for guidance when needed
  • Identifies and disseminates relevant resources and service information to coworkers and
    program participants
  • Communicates in a positive, respectful, and courteous manner in all verbal and written
    communication
  • Interacts with coworkers and the community to build productive, collaborative relationships
    to support the achievement of service goals
  • Understands and maintains private and sensitive information within the confines of
    confidentiality policies and need-to know parameters

Education, Experience, and Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following:

Education
Bachelor's degree required in finance, accounting, business administration, early childhood education,
education, or related field.

Experience

• Minimum of three years' experience, with a minimum of two years' experience working in early care and education, nonprofit, education, and/or child care finance and administration
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance requirements; preference for
  experience in using child care management systems (CCMS) or other business automation systems
• Experience providing coaching, technical assistance, mentoring, training, or consultative support to child care professionals, small business owners, or adult learners

Competencies

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Ability to learn and navigate multiple data systems and work-related tools
• Experience with virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams
• Familiarity with visual communication tools (e.g. Canva) and creating presentations
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, demonstrate proactive initiative, and adapt in a dynamic
  environment

Additional Requirements

• Fluency/proficiency in English required; proficiency in an additional language strongly preferred
• This is a hybrid position, with a combination of remote work and in-office presence
• Must have a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and proof of automobile insurance
• Availability to work a minimum of three nights and one Saturday per month

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The successful employee will demonstrate the following core competencies:

• Written and Verbal Communication Skills: Whether through reports, presentations, or in-person, phone, or email discussion, the coach must be able to clearly articulate findings and opportunities. Speaking in front of individuals, small groups, and Child Care Answers should be an area of comfort and confidence.
• Social Perceptiveness and Professionalism: The coach must be socially aware of socio-economic, geographic, cultural, and intellectual differences as they navigate from one audience to another, both internally and externally. They demonstrate professionalism in appearance and actions, approaching difficult or sensitive situations with composure and respect. They contribute to a positive and inclusive work environment through equitable and respectful interactions.
• Innovative Thinking: The coach must be an innovative thinker, pushing the boundaries of creativity, and identify opportunities to strengthen connections and expand impact. These skills are essential for seeking out diverse perspectives, fresh connections, and additional networks.
• Interpersonal Skills and Influencing Skills: Interpersonal skills include compassion, positivity,
  patience, and active listening, with a demonstrated ability to build trust and maintain authentic relationships. These skills are essential to building authentic relationships with potential audiences.
• Problem Solving / Decision Making: The coach will use innovative ideas to logically resolve most challenging situations and develop alternative and effective solutions when faced with obstacles, exercising sound decision-making. They must be organized to ensure they stay on track with team goals and objectives, leveraging excellent time management skills to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accountability for results.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responibilities and essential functions of this position but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.