Associate Director, Operations Support

Kamehameha Schools • Kurtistown, HI

4d • $103,700 - $147,700 • Onsite

About The Position

Kamehameha Schools, Hawaiʻi Campus is seeking an Associate Director of Operations Support to help ensure a safe, efficient, and well-maintained campus environment. The Associate Director supports the Director of Operations with day-to-day leadership and strategic oversight across Facilities, Grounds & Custodial Services, Security, Transportation, Emergency Preparedness, and Operational Standards of Care. In partnership with department managers and campus leadership, the role shapes operational strategy, strengthens organizational effectiveness, supports fiscal stewardship, and fosters a culture of service, accountability, engagement, and excellence. A key focus is developing leaders, improving manager effectiveness, and creating a positive work environment where team members feel valued and empowered.

The Associate Director is a member of the Operations Support leadership team and must be prepared to lead the division in the Director’s absence. The position develops and implements programs and initiatives to improve safety, service quality, reliability, and overall value. It leads multiple work groups providing transportation, facilities maintenance and repair, custodial services, groundskeeping, recreational facilities, dining, and other services. The role manages performance, budgets, expenditures, compliance, daily operations, and relationships with campus constituents and other KS departments.

The position aligns Operations Support programs with KS’s vision and strategic plan, oversees tactical plans and risk mitigation, delegates work to managers, and ensures services are safe, reliable, timely, high-quality, and cost-effective. It also ensures compliance with applicable occupational safety, health, environmental, and KS requirements and protects confidential information. Work is typically conducted Monday through Friday during normal business hours, with evening and weekend hours often required. The position works in an office/school environment and may involve non-standard workplaces and travel to other locations, including neighbor islands.

Requirements

• High School Diploma; an equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
• Experience as a business owner or 10+ years in a related field with proven leadership experience and business results.
• Ability to use management best practices to motivate employees toward high standards of inclusion and performance.
• Excellent judgment in prioritizing work, meeting competing needs, and resolving conflicts.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and assignments, set priorities, and take appropriate action.
• Proven analysis experience.
• Proven experience envisioning and implementing change to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for working with diverse internal and external individuals and groups.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including communicating with all staff levels, resolving community and neighbor concerns, and preparing reports and correspondence.
• Proven ability to supervise or direct the work of subordinates, peers, and contractors.
• Thorough knowledge of management and supervisory principles and practices.
• Ability to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the division.

Nice To Haves

• Over 5 years of experience as a business owner.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in operations, such as facilities, security, or transportation, within public works, education, hospitality, military, government, or related environments.
• Experience leading multiple departments, functions, or workgroups.
• Demonstrated success in budget stewardship, fiscal management, compliance oversight, program development, and organizational improvement initiatives.
• Experience leading and developing managers and supervisors, including performance management, leadership development, succession planning, and team effectiveness initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of leadership principles, human resources practices, employee engagement strategies, and operational management systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop standards and strategies for safety, service quality, productivity, performance, and costs across assigned functions.
• Lead multiple work groups delivering transportation, facilities maintenance and repair, custodial services, groundskeeping, recreational facilities, dining, and other services.
• Identify, develop, analyze, and implement programs and initiatives that improve safety, service quality, reliability, and value.
• Determine and coordinate appropriate use of KS employees, vendors, and contractors to meet service needs and other objectives.
• Partner with campus and KS departments to align strategies with KS policies and values, enhance KS’s reputation, and minimize risk and liability.
• Deliver assistance and service requests reliably to other campus and KS departments.
• Align programs and initiatives with KS’s vision and strategic plan; monitor tactical plans, identify risks, and implement contingency plans.
• Delegate authority to managers, monitor progress and performance, and provide course corrections and performance guidance.
• Ensure daily operations and services are safe, reliable, timely, high-quality, and cost-effective.
• Motivate and guide the Operations Support workforce, manage individual and team performance, and resolve conflicts.
• Prepare, recommend, manage, forecast, and monitor annual budgets; authorize expenditures, explain variances, and oversee department operations.
• Ensure compliance with county, state, and federal occupational safety, health, and environmental laws and guidelines, as well as KS policies and procedures.
• Meet with campus constituents to gather input, communicate initiatives, address complaints and concerns, and represent KS.
• Learn and apply KS policies, codes, regulations, statutes, and internal resources; safeguard sensitive information and privacy.
• Lead the division in the absence of the Director of Operations.

Benefits

• Total Rewards Program supporting employees’ physical, mental, and financial well-being.
• Comprehensive benefits; details are referenced in the Benefits Summary.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: High school or GED