Fast Facts

Lead financial strategies and operations for Shine Early Learning, focusing on growth, sustainability, and mission-driven initiatives.

Responsibilities: Provide financial oversight, lead financial planning and analysis, ensure revenue recognition, manage financial operations, support contract negotiations, and develop a high-performing finance team.

Skills: Strategic finance leadership, revenue recognition, financial planning (FP&A), budgeting, communication, advanced Excel and financial modeling skills.

Qualifications: 7+ years of progressive finance management experience, Bachelor's degree required, MBA preferred, experience with service or educational sectors, bilingual in English/Spanish is a plus.

Location: Remote with up to 10% travel required.

Compensation: $135000 - $135000 / Annually

Lead Strategic Finance for a Mission-Driven, Growth-Oriented Team

Shine Early Learning, a division of Acelero, Inc., partners with state and local governments to bring high-quality early learning to children across the country. We are looking for a bold and analytical Senior Director, Shine Finance to lead the financial strategy and operations across Shine’s Community Partnerships, Public Systems, and Product offerings. This is an ideal opportunity for a seasoned finance leader who thrives in complex, mission-oriented environments and is ready to drive growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability.

About The Role:

As Senior Director, you’ll serve as the top financial strategist for Shine Early Learning, collaborating closely with the CFO and Shine executive team. You’ll oversee financial planning and analysis, revenue recognition, reporting, budgeting, and forecasting across all Shine offerings—while supporting strategic initiatives to grow impact and profitability.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the senior finance leader for the Shine business unit, providing insight and oversight on financial strategy, sustainability, and performance.
• Ensure accurate and consistent revenue recognition across all offerings; develop and maintain policies in accordance with GAAP/ASC 606 standards.
• Lead FP&A efforts including monthly reporting, forecasting, profitability analysis, and scenario modeling to inform growth and margin expansion.
• Conduct financial modeling and opportunity assessments to support the launch and scaling of new products and services.
• Oversee Shine’s financial operations, including accurate accounting, internal controls, and timely reporting in coordination with accounting, tax, and payroll teams.
• Support strategic contract negotiations and resolve escalated issues related to accounts receivable/payable.
• Build and manage strategic budgets at both the project and business-unit levels.
• Serve as a financial advisor to Shine’s business leads, enabling data-driven decision-making.
• Optimize fiscal tools and systems to enhance reporting and planning capabilities.
• Lead and develop a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, excellence, and innovation.

Who You Are:

• A strategic finance leader with at least 7 years of progressive experience in financial management, including team supervision and business unit-level leadership.
• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s/MBA in Finance, Business, or a related field strongly preferred.
• Skilled in revenue recognition, profitability management, and financial planning for complex organizations—experience with service or education-based industries a plus.
• Experienced in launching and scaling new business lines, budgeting, and project-based financial strategy.
• Comfortable navigating public funding streams and compliance requirements.
• A strong communicator with the ability to translate complex financial data into clear insights for different audiences.
• Advanced in Excel and financial modeling; fluent in Google Suite and data systems.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish is a plus.

​When/Where/How Much?

When: Fall 2025

Where: Remote (Travel Required up to 10% of the time for work-related meetings)

How Much: $135,000 + Comprehensive Benefits Package

Why Shine Early Learning?

We don’t just help early learning programs improve—we reimagine what’s possible. As part of the Shine team, you’ll play a mission-critical role in expanding equitable access to quality early childhood education. You’ll work with smart, passionate colleagues and be empowered to drive real results through strategic financial leadership.

We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and healthy workplace.