Business Operations Administrator, OSA

Chicago Public Schools•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience. Located within the Office of College and Career Success (OCCS), the Office of Sports Administration (OSA) provides leadership and oversight for Chicago Public Schools’ districtwide interscholastic athletics program. OSA is committed to expanding equitable access to high-quality athletic opportunities that promote student engagement, academic achievement, leadership, teamwork, and lifelong connectedness and well-being. The department partners with schools, athletic directors, coaches, students, families, and community organizations to deliver safe and inclusive athletic programs. Through operational excellence and strategic collaboration, OSA supports schools in creating meaningful athletic experiences that contribute to the success of every student.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field from an accredited college or university is required
Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience managing a budget and administering business operations (e.g., financial management, procurement, contracts, and workforce administration)
Experience coordinating strategic projects requiring significant communication and change management efforts within a large or complex organization
Experience using enterprise financial systems (E.g., Oracle)
Knowledge of workforce administration, staffing processes, onboarding, payroll coordination, and operational readiness for full-time, seasonal, stipend-supported, and part-time employees
Comprehensive knowledge of business operations, organizational administration, and operational best practices within a large, complex organization
Knowledge of budget development, financial monitoring, forecasting, and expenditure management, with the ability to analyze spending trends, identify risks, and ensure responsible stewardship of public funds
Knowledge of procurement, contracting processes, vendor management, and purchasing processes, with the ability to collaborate across functional teams to ensure timely acquisitions of goods and services that support organizational priorities
Knowledge of project management principles, process improvement methodologies, and change management practices to support organizational effectiveness and continuous improvement
Ability to develop, implement, evaluate, and continuously refine scalable operational procedures, guidance documents, business processes, and internal controls that improve efficiency, consistency, compliance, school-centered support, and organizational effectiveness
Ability to interpret District policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, grant requirements, and operational guidelines and translate them into practical business processes for program staff
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate financial, operational, and workforce data; identify trends and risks; and recommend strategic solutions
Demonstrated ability to lead multiple complex operational workstreams, balance competing priorities, influence stakeholders, and deliver high-quality results within critical deadlines
Ability to establish trusted, collaborative partnerships across Finance, Budget, Procurement, Talent, Payroll, Law, Board Office, school leaders, executive leadership, community partners, and external stakeholders to achieve organizational goals and drive operational excellence
Excellent written, verbal, facilitation, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders, present recommendations, and build consensus across diverse teams.
Demonstrated leadership, sound judgment, integrity, discretion, and a commitment to operational excellence, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions; however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree is preferred
Experience in the education sector is preferred

Responsibilities

Administers and supports business operations and initiatives, facilitating collaboration, managing timelines, resolving complex business issues, and developing and implementing sustainable solutions and processes aligned with departmental priorities for the Office of Sports Administration while promoting operational excellence, standardization, collaboration, and continuous improvement across departmental functions; May be required to supervise staff supporting business operations functions
Collaborate with OSA’s leadership team to develop, monitor, and reconcile departmental budgets; analyze expenditures; prepare financial reports; and recommend strategies to maximize available resources and ensure fiscal accountability
Collaborates with OSA’s leadership team and the Talent Office to coordinate recruitment, onboarding, position management, payroll coordination, and operational readiness of coaches, liaisons, game officials, announcers, scorekeepers, and other seasonal or stipend-supported staff: Ensures employees are timely onboarded, accurately compensated, and prepared to support district athletic programming
Ensures stipend payments are submitted for approval and payment in a timely manner; Coordinates payroll administration, personnel transactions, resolves payroll discrepancies, and position management while ensuring compliance with District policies and guidance, collective bargaining agreements, and established payroll timelines
Collaborates with central office partners and school leaders to administer and facilitate procurement activities, contractual agreements, vendor relationships, and Board approval processes, ensuring efficient and compliant business operations
Collaborates with OCCS Data team to develop, analyze, and maintain operational dashboards, performance metrics, and business reports to support data-informed decision-making, resource allocation, and organizational performance
Establishes, maintains, and documents standardized operating procedures, internal controls, and business processes that strengthen accountability, mitigate operational risk, and improve organizational effectiveness
Serves as the primary business operations liaison between the Office of Sports Administration, central office departments, school leaders, athletic directors, and external stakeholders to ensure effective communication and coordination
Other duties as assigned