Contracts and Legal Support Specialist

Start Early is an energized, future-focused organization devoted to providing quality early learning and care across the country. Our desire to close the opportunity gap and build more equitable early learning experiences for our youngest learners guides everything we do. As a leader in early learning and care, we scale our deep expertise across program, policy and research through partnerships across the country.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning and communication.

Become part of our rewarding, mission-driven culture! We want our employees to feel empowered, motivated, energized, and passionate about the work they do! This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-paced nonprofit organization with the ability to bring creativity in designing the process for in-house charitable registration management.

The Contracts & Legal Support Specialist will serve as the primary liaison with the organization’s charitable registration vendor. This role includes managing all charitable registrations and renewals for Start Early and its related entities, including the First Five Action Fund, Start Early Support Corporation, and the Educare Lake County Foundation. The individual will ensure that all required information is provided to the vendor accurately and on time so that filings can be completed within the required deadlines. Responsibilities include monitoring filing schedules, tracking progress, confirming completion of registrations and renewals, maintaining all related confirmations and correspondence, coordinating the submission of new charitable registrations when needed, and addressing issues proactively through communication with the vendor and state agencies as necessary. 

Reporting to the Director, Compliance and Risk Management, you will:

• Coordinate closely with the vendor to support the timely completion of annual state filings and business registrations. This includes providing financial, corporate, and organizational information required for these filings; ensuring that the vendor is able to complete all submissions accurately; confirming the status of filings; and maintaining regular communication with the vendor to resolve any outstanding questions or documentation needs. The position will also support the organization’s entry into new jurisdictions when additional registrations become necessary.
•  Oversee and manage all internal information flow, document collection, and coordination needed to support the vendor’s work. This includes developing and maintaining organized systems for collecting and validating required materials, tracking deadlines and outstanding items, reviewing correspondence and confirmations, preparing periodic status reports, and collaborating with internal teams to ensure timely responses to vendor requests. The individual is expected to anticipate information needs, resolve documentation gaps, and maintain a high level of accuracy and consistency in all records related to charitable registration and state filings.
• Serve as a contract manager for divisions across the organization that require contracting support, including but not limited to Marketing & Communications and Development. The role includes managing fundraising and cause-marketing agreements, maintaining tracking systems for all assigned agreements, supporting any state filing requirements associated with such agreements, and ensuring proper documentation for organizational grant submissions. The individual will assist with contract review processes for any division as needed, including conducting redlines, drafting or revising language as appropriate, and supporting internal stakeholders throughout the contract intake, review, and execution procedures.

• Minimum of Associates degree, Bachelor’s degree preferred. 
• Certifications in corporate legal affairs, business, or nonprofit administration are desirable. 
• Two (2)-three (3) year experience in nonprofit compliance, legal operations, charitable registration management and contracting is advantageous. 
• Paralegal experience, though not required, may be helpful, particularly for candidates with experience reviewing, drafting, or managing legal documents in a fast-paced environment
• Strong contracting skills, including the ability to review, redline and draft contractual language with precision and clarity
• Excellent professional writing and communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly, concisely, and appropriately for internal and external stakeholders. 
• High attention to detail and accuracy, with strong organizational abilities and the capacity to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while also contributing effectively as a team player, taking initiative and driving tasks to completion, including tactful and persistent follow-up when others’ input or actions are required.

We recognize that few candidates might meet every single piece of knowledge, experience, or education listed here. Research shows that women and people of color, among many other historically excluded groups, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Start Early is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your qualifications don’t perfectly align with everything in the job description, we still encourage you to apply!

Base Annual Salary: $68,500-$80,000

As of the time of this posting, this is the expected base annual salary range. The base annual salary will be based on a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, as well as business needs and limitations.

Our generous benefits plan includes:

Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6 months paid parental leave, and much more.

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.