Assistant Principal of Operations - On Assignment - 2026/2027 School Year

Mastery Schools•Philadelphia, PA

About The Position

The Assistant Principal of Operations (APO) On Assignment role at Mastery Schools is a leadership development experience intended to prepare the successful candidate for future APO opportunities within the network. It combines campus leadership with strategic network initiatives, offering experience in instructional leadership, operational excellence, and systems thinking across multiple school contexts. The APO on Assignment may serve in temporary campus leadership placements, support leadership transitions, lead network-wide initiatives, and provide high-leverage support in response to student and organizational needs. During temporary campus assignments, the role may assume the full responsibilities of an APO to maintain leadership continuity during vacancies, leaves, or transitions. The position works closely with school and network leaders to develop expertise in operations systems that improve student outcomes and to build the adaptability and leadership capacity needed to serve diverse school communities. Responsibilities span enrollment, school administration, infrastructure, financial management, customer service, and compliance. The role supports student recruitment and retention; school records, schedules, assessments, and reporting; procurement, facilities, inventory, food, and transportation services; budgeting and financial processes; front-desk and operational staff; family and community communications; and compliance with public-school, safety, employment, and organizational requirements. The position may require frequent travel between network campuses, and reliable transportation is essential. The role is eligible for a $5,000 bonus and up to $5,000 in relocation expenses. New-to-Mastery Assistant Principals can expect a starting salary of $108,200 to $125,350, based on experience and education. The full salary range is $108,200 to $137,025, with opportunities for growth. Offers are reviewed individually to reflect relevant experience and ensure equity in compensation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
At least two years of management-related experience or other relevant work experience.
Strong leadership skills and demonstrated ability to manage people in a work setting.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work effectively with a diverse group of people.
Strong organizational skills and ability to handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously.
Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
Ability to train and supervise employees, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments.
Ability to work with computers, software programs, and other technology.
Ability to adapt effectively to changing priorities, processes, and organizational needs while maintaining performance, professionalism, and commitment to results.
Ability to physically perform the essential duties and work in the required environmental conditions, including traveling to network campuses and monitoring and interacting with students.
Reliable transportation to fulfill job responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Knowledge of public education and charter schools.

Responsibilities

Assist with student recruitment activities, including open houses, feeder school visits when applicable, enrollment lotteries, and paperwork sessions.
Ensure appropriate paperwork is collected during enrollment and support student retention through family meetings, withdrawal documentation, exit interviews, and related events.
Support accurate school schedules, student records, and transcripts in accordance with school, local, state, and federal requirements.
Learn and support substitute teacher deployment.
Assist with coordination of major school-based assessments and the timely production and administration of student report cards.
Support implementation of the school’s annual calendar and school procurement, including ordering furniture, equipment, and classroom supplies.
Support campus facilities maintenance, including assisting with custodial personnel and the Operations Hero facilities platform.
Build expertise in school supply and asset inventory and deepen understanding of food and transportation services by coordinating with service providers.
Develop proficiency in working with the Principal and central finance team to develop and manage the school budget.
Support deposits of school-based funds, including petty cash; learn to record financial transactions and submit them for processing.
Attend monthly meetings to review and account for budget variances, review and confirm bi-weekly payroll data through Workday with the school’s APO, and observe the annual financial audit process.
Ensure adherence to fiscal policies and procedures.
Manage front-desk personnel and on-site operational staff, such as building engineers.
Develop proficiency in school customer service, including responding to information requests, telephone procedures, mail distribution, and transportation parking requests.
Observe and develop communications systems with the NST Facilities team and establish systems that support positive family and community relations.
Learn to maintain an accurate student information system with central-office guidance.
Build knowledge of and practice compliance with state and federal regulations and policies related to public-school operations.
Learn to manage and monitor the nursing service provider, including service delivery, legal compliance, and timely annual reporting.
Develop familiarity with and practice coordinating school safety protocols and drills in alignment with state and local regulations.
Learn and practice supporting compliance with employment laws and organizational policies, including collecting and maintaining accurate faculty and staff HR information.
During temporary campus assignments, potentially assume the full responsibilities of an Assistant Principal of Operations to ensure continuity of school leadership.