Department Business Manager (Federal Head Start and Pre-School State Programs)

USC’s School for Early Childhood Education is dedicated to providing comprehensive, high-quality early childhood education services to children and their families in the South Los Angeles area. Founded in 1970 as a teaching school for future early-childhood professionals, the USC School for Early Childhood Education (SECE) seeks to promote school readiness, health/nutrition, mental wellness, and family engagement. Today, our licensed Head Start and Early Head Start centers serve more than 400 infants and pre-school children and their parents each year. We are seeking enthusiastic, creative, dynamic, and team-oriented individuals who enjoy fostering a supportive learning environment.

Job Overview:

The School for Early Childhood Education is currently looking to hire a Department Business Manager to join its team! This is an exciting opportunity to champion the university’s commitment to community partnerships by serving as a strategic thinker and skilled leader for the program.

This role will have fiscal oversight of the department’s federal and state grants, which directly impact the resources for recipients of the program. The selected candidate will be responsible for planning and developing short- and long-term budgets and ensuring compliance with grant regulations. Candidates with grant and fund accounting experience, particularly with the Office Management and Budget (OMB)  and The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), are highly preferred. Familiarity with Head Start program requirements is strongly desired.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Manage the grant application process, ensuring accuracy and compliance with all federal and state requirements.

• Provide interpretation and guidance regarding contract compliance, fund management, and federal OMB/CFR regulations.

• Prepare, review, and revise Head Start budgets and other federal/state grant components to ensure compliance with grantor guidelines.

• Monitor expenditures and accounting transactions to ensure proper use of program funds.

• Conduct financial forecasts, prepare cost analysis, and generate monthly and quarterly budget reports for stakeholders.

• Analyze expenditure trends to balance budgets and improve financial forecasting.

• Maintain fiscal documents and ensure they are audit-ready for external reviews.

• Serve as a liaison with external auditors and develop plans to implement audit corrective actions as needed.

• Implement procedures for monitoring and overseeing the department’s financial operations in compliance with grant guidelines.

• Supervise the requisition of supplies/services and manage inventory in line with federal and state guidelines.

Qualifications/Skills:

• Knowledge of applicable laws, codes, regulations, and policies related to the management and administration of Head Start/Early Head Start and State Preschool Programs.

• Extensive experience with grant management, specifically with grants awarded by the Office of Head Start or similar programs.

• Strong understanding of federal OMB and CFR regulations related to fund accounting and compliance.

• Knowledge of fiscal laws for both public and nonprofit organizations.

• 5 years of financial management experience, including budgeting, grant accounting, and auditing.

• Proven ability to deliver financial presentations and reports to senior-level stakeholders.

• Commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

• Experience with grant and fund accounting, OMB regulations, and CFR compliance is highly preferred.

Pre-Boarding Requirements (After Contingent Offer has been extended)

• Licensing 503 Health Screening.

• Submission of Immunization Record (with current MMR, Tdap, and Influenza vaccinations/TB clearance).

• FBI and Department of Justice Fingerprinting Clearance (Live Scan).

• Megan’s Law/Sex Offender Clearance.

• Submission of Education Requirements.

• Submission of Valid Driver’s License with Proof of Insurance.

Salary Information:

The annual base salary range for this position is $105,000 - $110,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree. Combined experience/education may substitute for minimum education requirements. Minimum Experience: 5 years of combined education/experience in financial management, particularly in grant accounting, budgeting, and compliance. Minimum Field of Expertise: Business administration, accounting, or a related field with budget experience, including knowledge of government and fund accounting, OMB regulations, and CFR compliance. Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).