Chief Operating Officer

Cambridge Public Schools • Cambridge, MA

3d

About The Position

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as a senior executive leader and trusted advisor to the Superintendent, responsible for ensuring that the district’s operational systems, services, and resources enable safe, equitable, and high-quality learning environments across all CPS schools. As a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet, the COO provides strategic oversight and direction for Facilities, Transportation, Safety & Security, Enrollment, and Food Services. The COO partners closely with school leaders, city departments, and community stakeholders to strengthen operational systems, streamline processes, and ensure that every CPS student and family experiences welcoming, dependable, and well-functioning schools. This leader models equity-driven decision making, strong communication, and proactive problem-solving—ensuring that operational practices advance CPS’s mission and contribute to a sense of belonging, safety, and excellence districtwide.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, School Business Administration, or a related field required.
• At least five (5) years of successful leadership experience as a Director or Executive Director in a public school setting; ten (10) years preferred.
• Demonstrated success working in an urban setting with diverse racial, ethnic, linguistic, and socio-economic communities.
• Strong knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations related to school operations, facilities, safety, and transportation.
• Understands the complexity of public school operations and can effectively manage multiple interconnected systems.
• Demonstrates strong analytical skills and uses data to diagnose issues, evaluate solutions, and drive continuous improvement.
• Communicates clearly and confidently, with the ability to translate complex operational information for diverse audiences.
• Builds trust through transparency, responsiveness, collaboration, and follow-through.
• Navigates pressure with calm, flexibility, and sound judgment.
• Leads with an equity lens—ensuring that operational decisions uphold fairness, access, and consistency for all students and families.
• Anticipates challenges, identifies root causes, and implements solutions that strengthen long-term organizational health.
• Values relationships and engages others in problem-solving and innovation.

Nice To Haves

• An advanced degree (MBA, MPA, or Master’s in School Business Administration) is preferred.
• Ten (10) years preferred.
• Experience with construction planning, capital projects, and vendor contract management preferred.
• Expertise in fostering strong and collaborative relationships with public sector collective bargaining partners.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Systems Alignment: Develop and implement operational strategies, policies, and systems that strengthen districtwide efficiency, safety, and performance. Provide strategic leadership for major initiatives, including capital improvement planning, facilities modernization, environmental safety, and operational redesign. Evaluate trends, operational data, and performance metrics to guide decision-making and recommend improvements to the Superintendent and through the Superintendent to the School Committee. Serve as a systems thinker who integrates operations with academic, financial, and equity priorities across CPS.
• Operational Oversight & Department Management: Supervise and direct the daily operations of Facilities, Transportation, Safety, Enrollment, and Food Services departments. Set clear goals for performance and growth across all operational divisions; monitor progress and ensure accountability. Oversee contracts, vendor relationships, and service agreements to ensure high-quality, cost-effective, and equitable delivery of services to schools. Provide leadership, guidance, and technical assistance to Directors and Supervisors in all areas of district operations.
• Talent Management, Leadership Development & Collaboration: Recruit, hire, supervise, evaluate, and support operational leaders and staff. Provide onboarding and training for school and district leaders in operational systems, including facilities, safety, enrollment, transportation, and food services. Collaborate with cross-functional teams—especially School Leadership, Human Resources, Finance, and Equity—to ensure coordinated support for schools. Serve on collective bargaining teams for operational units and other units as assigned.
• Family, Community, and City Partnerships: Serve as a liaison with city and state agencies related to capital improvement, transportation, environmental safety, and facilities management. Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations to support district goals and enhance school operations. Ensure timely, transparent communication with families, staff, and community members about operational issues affecting school experiences.
• Safety, Compliance & Risk Management: Monitor federal, state, and local regulations and ensure district wide adherence to operational, safety, and compliance requirements. Provide timely recommendations to the Superintendent on district safety, emergency preparedness, crisis response, and risk mitigation. Maintain high standards of operational integrity, reliability, and stewardship of district assets.
• Organizational Support & Additional Duties: Prepare reports, presentations, and updates for the Superintendent, School Committee, and public audiences. Participate in professional meetings, conferences, and institutes to remain current on trends in school operations and organizational management. Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees