Early Childhood Business Coach

Position Summary

The Early Childhood Business Coach / Trainer works directly with licensed child care programs to strengthen business practices, improve operational efficiency, and promote long-term financial sustainability. Through individualized coaching, consultation, technical assistance, and professional development, the Business Coach supports child care program leaders in developing the knowledge, skills, and systems necessary to operate effective, financially sustainable businesses.

Key areas of support include enrollment strategies, full fee collection, cost-per-child calculations, budgeting, financial reporting, data management, and the effective use of child care management software and other business automation tools. Services are delivered within a collaborative, reflective, and strengths-based coaching framework aligned with the agency’s mission, philosophy, and departmental goals.

Job Responsibilities / Functions

Business Coaching and Technical Assistance

•Deliver individualized business coaching and technical assistance to licensed child care programs to strengthen business operations and support long-term financial sustainability.

•Assess existing business practices, operational processes, and management systems to identify strengths, areas for improvement, and opportunities for increased efficiency.

•Support program leaders in developing and implementing improvement goals related to enrollment, full fee collection, budgeting, cost-per-child calculations, financial management, and business sustainability.

•Review program operations, including child attendance records, enrollment and subsidy data, program compliance tracking, and time management practices.

•Assist participating programs in identifying and implementing strategies to improve productivity, maximize resources, and strengthen business management practices.

•Support programs in achieving the Quality Business Practices badge within Maryland EXCELS, as appropriate.

Technology, Data Management, and Business Systems

•Evaluate existing business processes and systems and recommend appropriate automation tools, technology solutions, or system improvements to increase operational efficiency.

•Support participating programs with onboarding and implementation of selected child care management software.

•Provide guidance on the effective use of child care management software and other business automation solutions to support enrollment management, attendance tracking, billing, financial reporting, and daily operations.

•Assist program leaders in reviewing and interpreting business data to inform decision-making, identify trends, and establish priorities for improvement.

•Analyze program data to identify participant needs and inform the development and delivery of relevant coaching services, training, and other program activities.

Training and Professional Development

•Develop and deliver business-related training and professional development opportunities that build child care program leaders’ business management knowledge and skills.

•Facilitate peer connection sessions that encourage collaboration, shared learning, problem-solving, and the exchange of effective business practices among participating programs.

•Use interactive training strategies that promote engagement, reflection, and practical application of new knowledge and skills.

•Support participants in identifying resources, strategies, and tools that strengthen their business operations and management capacity.

Coaching Practices and Participant Support

•Deliver services using research-informed adult learning principles and established coaching practices.

•Maintain a balance between building trusting relationships with participants and supporting progress toward identified goals and program outcomes.

•Apply a strengths-based, individualized approach that recognizes each program leader’s existing knowledge, experience, learning style, and identified needs.

•Support professional growth through ongoing discussion, reflection, constructive feedback, and collaborative problem-solving.

•Demonstrate awareness of and sensitivity to linguistic, cultural, social, economic, individual, and role differences among the individuals and communities served.

•Establish collaborative relationships with program leaders that foster accountability, professional growth, and continuous improvement.

Work Habits and Professional Responsibilities

•Communicate in a positive, respectful, professional, and courteous manner in all verbal and written interactions.

•Build productive, collaborative relationships with colleagues, community partners, and child care professionals to support shared goals.

•Maintain the confidentiality of participant information and other sensitive information in accordance with agency policies and applicable requirements, sharing information only as authorized and necessary.

•Represent BCCCRC professionally in the community and at meetings, training events, and other professional engagements.

•Complete required documentation, maintain accurate participant records, and meet program reporting requirements.

•Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education Required:

•Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, education, child development, business administration, or a related field.

Experience and Other Qualifications Required:

•A minimum of five (5) years of experience working in licensed child care, Head Start/Early Head Start, Prekindergarten, K–12 education, or another setting providing care and education to children.

•Experience providing coaching, consultation, technical assistance, training, or professional development in education, business, or a related field.

Preferred:

•Knowledge of Maryland EXCELS, the Maryland Child Care Credential, and other quality improvement initiatives available to Maryland child care programs.

•Experience using child care management software and other business automation solutions.

•Training in Practice-Based Coaching or another established coaching framework.

•Experience supporting small businesses, particularly early childhood education programs.

•Experience with the Business Administration Scale (BAS) and/or the Program Administration Scale (PAS).

•Additional coursework, degrees, or post-graduate certificates in business administration, small business management, finance, or related areas applicable to early care and education settings.

Skills and Competencies

•Strong verbal and written communication, organizational, and time management skills.

•Strong computer, database, and data management skills.

•Knowledge of Maryland’s child care delivery system and the operational needs of child care businesses.

•Ability to communicate effectively and build collaborative relationships with child care providers, colleagues, and other professionals.

•Ability to analyze business information, identify trends, and support data-informed decision-making.

•Ability to facilitate engaging, interactive training and professional development sessions.

•Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other relevant technology tools, including Canva.

•Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and maintain accurate documentation.

•Ability to travel throughout Baltimore City to provide coaching, technical assistance, and training at participating child care programs and other community locations.

Work Environment and Schedule

This is a full-time, 35-hour-per-week position. Normal business hours generally fall between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., depending on the employee’s scheduled arrival time. Some evening and Saturday hours are required to accommodate professional development classes, participant meetings, and other program activities. Work schedules will be adjusted as necessary to maintain the established 35-hour workweek.

The position involves a combination of office-based responsibilities, on-site visits to child care programs, individual coaching, group facilitation, and professional development activities throughout Baltimore City.  Y

A driver's license and insured vehicle is necessary to fulfill the duties of this position.