Director of Operations

Livonia Public Schools•Livonia, MI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Livonia Public Schools is seeking a highly qualified Director of Operations who demonstrates a collaborative spirit, strategic mindset, and commitment to continuous improvement. The Director provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the systems, services, infrastructure, and resources that support the effective operation of all District schools and facilities. As a member of the Superintendent's Cabinet, the Director serves as a key advisor to the Superintendent and Cabinet leadership, contributing to districtwide strategy, decision-making, long-range planning, and resource allocation. The Director ensures that operational systems are safe, efficient, fiscally responsible, responsive, and aligned with the District's mission, vision, and core priorities. Responsibilities include leadership and oversight of transportation, facilities, maintenance, custodial services, food service, information technology, warehouse operations, and related services, as well as capital improvement planning and major construction, renovation, and bond-related projects. The Director builds strong relationships with school and district administrators, staff, vendors, contractors, community partners, and municipalities, ensuring operational services effectively support schools and programs and that District resources are managed strategically in support of teaching and learning.

Requirements

Minimum of a master's degree in educational leadership, business administration, operations management, public administration, or a related field.
Highly successful administrative or executive leadership experience in a school district, district operations, business, or a related organizational setting.
Eager to provide visionary and strategic leadership across multiple departments and operational functions.
A record of collaborative problem-solving, strong follow-through, initiative, and responsiveness.
Experience with budget management, fiscal stewardship, resource allocation, and cost control.
Strong understanding of operational systems, infrastructure, technology, and organizational processes.
Sound judgment and capacity to analyze complex issues, identify solutions, make informed decisions, and respond effectively to operational challenges and emergencies.
Successful experience supervising, developing, and evaluating personnel.
Ability to build and sustain highly effective working relationships with school leaders, employees, employee groups, vendors, contractors, community partners, and governmental agencies.
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to communicate complex operational, financial, technical, and project-related information clearly to a variety of audiences.
Capacity to lead organizational change and foster continuous improvement.
Commitment to maintaining positive, respectful, and inclusive working environments for all employees.
Ability to exercise sound professional judgment and maintain a high level of confidentiality.

Responsibilities

Champion the District's mission, vision, and Collective Commitments and make operational decisions that reflect the District's philosophy that places the needs of children and their education first.
Participate actively in the Superintendent's Cabinet, contributing to short- and long-term planning, districtwide strategy, collaboration, and leadership decisions.
Provide executive leadership and oversight for District operations, including transportation, facilities, maintenance, custodial services, food service, information and instructional technology, purchasing, warehouse operations, facility rentals, risk management, and related operational services.
Develop, implement, and evaluate long-range operational plans that align District resources, facilities, technology, services, and infrastructure with current and future educational needs.
Provide leadership for the planning, implementation, and oversight of District capital improvement, construction, renovation, and bond-related projects, ensuring projects are well planned, fiscally responsible, and aligned with District priorities.
Work collaboratively with architects, construction managers, contractors, consultants, staff, school leaders, and other partners to ensure successful completion of capital projects.
Ensure District facilities, grounds, transportation services, food service operations, and other operational services are maintained at high standards and effectively support the needs of students, staff, and school programs.
Provide leadership for the District's information technology operations, ensuring reliable, secure, effective, and responsive technology systems and services that support teaching, learning, communication, and District operations.
Oversee the development and management of departmental budgets, ensuring responsible financial planning, cost control, resource allocation, and stewardship of public funds.
Evaluate operational practices, contracts, services, and resources to identify opportunities for greater efficiency, effectiveness, and value.
Provide leadership and oversight for purchasing, procurement, contracts, vendor relationships, warehouse operations, and inventory management.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with vendors, contractors, municipalities, governmental agencies, community organizations, and other external partners.
Ensure compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, codes, and standards affecting District operations, including MIOSHA/OSHA, environmental, accessibility, facilities, transportation, food service, and other applicable requirements.
Ensure effective planning and coordination for emergency operational needs and the continuity of essential District services.
Work collaboratively with school and district administrators to identify operational needs, resolve concerns, and ensure District services respond to the needs of schools and programs.
Provide leadership and recommendations regarding facility utilization, property acquisition and disposition, leasing arrangements, boundary and capacity considerations, and long-range facility planning.
Establish clear expectations and accountability for the quality, efficiency, responsiveness, and customer service of operational departments.
Ensure department leaders know applicable state and federal laws and compliance requirements, including MIOSHA/OSHA, environmental regulations, ADA requirements, and other applicable operational standards.
Supervise, support, and provide leadership coaching to assigned administrators, managers, and other personnel; promote professional growth, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Communicate effectively with employees, administrators, the Superintendent, Cabinet, Board of Education, and community regarding operational matters, projects, priorities, challenges, and recommendations.
Work effectively with appropriate Board committees and attend Board meetings as requested by the Superintendent; provide reports, updates, data, and recommendations regarding operations, facilities, technology, capital projects, and related matters.
Work with the District's legal counsel, consultants, architects, engineers, contractors, and other professional partners on matters related to District operations.
Develop and recommend policies, procedures, and operational practices that promote safe, efficient, effective, and fiscally responsible District operations.
Identify opportunities to improve systems, processes, communication, and service delivery across operational departments.
Perform other duties and assume responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent.

Benefits

Traditional pension
Tax-deferred retirement savings accounts with an employer matching contribution
Personal Healthcare Fund (PHF) with employer matching contribution on the first 2% contributed
Medical insurance, including prescription drug coverage (district contribution is the maximum allowed by Michigan law)
Family coverage eligibility for employees working 30 hours or more per week
Single coverage eligibility for employees working 20 hours but less than 30 per week
Optional "cash in lieu" of medical insurance for those who qualify
Dental insurance (district pays 100% of the premium)
Vision insurance (district pays 100% of the premium)
Life insurance (district pays 100% of the premium)
Long-term disability coverage (district pays 100% of the premium for employees working 20 hours or more per week)
Employee Assistance Program for employees and their eligible family members (confidential, short-term counseling, available 7 days a week, no cost to employee)
Paid holidays
Earned vacation days
Earned sick days
Earned bereavement days
Longevity pay
Paid "act of God" days, such as snow days
Children of employees working 20+ hours are eligible to attend Livonia Public Schools via schools of choice