Director of School Operations: Hartford High School

Date Posted	April 12, 2024
Industry	K-12: Charter Schools
Certification Needed
Job Status	Not Specified
Salary	Not Specified

Description:

School Year: 24-25

About Achievement First:

Change requires change agents. Across our growing network of high-performing public charter schools, our students in historically underserved communities enter our doors looking for a great education. We are looking for you. We are a network of innovators, of dedicated educators committed to pursuing excellence for ourselves and our students, of content nerds with a deep knowledge and love of subject matter, and of advocates with an unwavering commitment to inspiring all students to reach the high expectations that help them succeed.

We believe in the fierce urgency of now. In our classrooms, our students benefit from high-quality, rigorous and engaging instruction infused with a contagious enthusiasm for content and learning. Our students know they can and will achieve, and every day we work to provide them with opportunities for deep intellectual engagement across all subjects and content areas. Our students will graduate from top colleges and universities and then will have access to all of the life and leadership opportunities that flow from a great education. Our students will change the world.

About the Role:

Achievement First is currently seeking a strategic and dynamic Director of School Operations. Reporting to the Regional Director of Operations and the school principal, the Director of School Operations will be responsible for all matters of school administration that do not directly relate to instruction or student behavior. The Director is a cornerstone of the Achievement First school model, which seeks to relieve the principal of non-instructional obligations so that s/he can focus almost exclusively on student achievement and the professional development of the teaching staff. This position will take on a variety of operational responsibilities from overseeing the development and implementation of the school budget to gathering and analyzing school data to ensuring that the school has sufficient materials to serve its students. The Director of School Operations will also supervise a team of operations professionals including student services managers, office coordinators, and principal assistants.

Responsibilities of the Director of School Operations will include but are not limited to:

Budget & Finance

• Work with the school principal and Achievement First network finance staff to develop and manage the school’s budget
• Maintain accurate records of all financial transactions and submit them to the Achievement First network finance staff for processing
• Participate in monthly meetings to review/account for budget variances; monitor usage of the school credit card
• Ensure adherence to school’s fiscal policy and procedures; participate in annual financial audit process by providing documentation as needed to auditors
• Manage school purchasing process by placing orders with vendors, tracking delivery and maintaining inventory

School Operations

• Each year, prepare the campus for start-up/new school year by ordering furniture, equipment, and classroom supplies as well as ensuring that school services (i.e., student food services, student transportation services) are lined up and ready for action
• Process new hires and maintain employee records to prepare the facility for occupation
• Manage the tracking and follow up regarding teacher certification and employee benefits
• With the support of Achievement First’s network office, ensure compliance with all state, federal, and local employment laws and policies
• Ensure the maintenance of campus facilities by managing custodial personnel and third party contracts for trash removal, recycling, and security
• Manage the school’s food and transportation services by coordinating with service providers and overseeing deliveries
• Manage the school’s supply and asset inventory

School Administration

• Ensure the timely implementation of all items on Achievement First’s monthly administrative calendar
• Ensure that the school is adhering to all local compliance and reporting requirements, as per calendars and guidelines provided by Achievement First
• Provide oversight of the planning and execution of school special events, such as field lessons, Report Card Night, and graduation
• Oversee the administration of all student tests
• With the support of the Achievement First network data analysts, disseminate progress reports to school staff and ensure the timely production of student report cards
• Ensure that student records are properly maintained and updated at the school

Management and Leadership

• Directly supervise the student services manager and office coordinator
• Actively serve on the school’s leadership team, which also includes the school’s principal and deans

Skills and Characteristics

• Belief in the Achievement First mission and educational model
• Comfort level with financial oversight and budgetary tracking to support strategic growth
• Willingness to work autonomously, collaboratively, and/or under the direction of senior staff, as needed
• Acute attention to detail coupled with the ability to think and act strategically
• Flexible and able to multitask; can work within an ambiguous, fast-moving environment, while also driving toward clarity and solutions
• Demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems
• Maturity, humility, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and a “whatever it takes” disposition

Educational Background and Work Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year institution; Master's Degree preferred
• Minimum 3 years of operations management experience in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Experience managing cross-functional teams to develop and implement systems and processes to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of a growing organization

Compensation & Benefits

• Employees at Achievement First are provided with a competitive salary. Our salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on an individual’s skills, education, and years of experience relevant to the role. Dean and Director of School Operations’ salaries range from $91,114-$98,538, based on experience.
• As a regular full time employee of Achievement First, you will be eligible for benefits that include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as a 403(b) retirement benefit package with match and paid Family Leave.