Director of Operations

Explore Schools • New York, NY

17h • $100,000 - $125,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Explore Schools is a network of public charter schools providing 1,700 students in Brooklyn with the outstanding education they deserve. Our goal is to provide students with curriculum and instruction that is both standards-aligned and culturally responsive. Our approach is designed to provide the conditions that nurture students as critical thinkers and natural problem-solvers. As an organization we are committed to engaging in work that disrupts and roots out systems and structures that perpetuate white supremacy. We intentionally seek to build and maintain a diverse and talented team that reflects the backgrounds and experiences of our students and creates an inclusive environment for all employees. We believe that all children can learn when immersed in a rich environment full of high expectations, rigorous academics, and caring, committed adults. We believe equity and excellence are not mutually exclusive—we can meet the needs of all students in our schools, while actively engaging parents and driving toward excellent academic results. We believe it is both our privilege and responsibility to help close the opportunity gap in the Brooklyn community.

Requirements

• Proven track record of implementing and maintaining clear operational systems within a school, and managing and leading others.
• Excel in collaborating with leaders, as well as cultivating strong relationships across teams and with vendors.
• Dedicated to working in communities that have historically been underserved and under-resourced
• Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work necessary to take a culturally responsive approach to pedagogy and relationship-building with students and colleagues
• Data-driven: experienced in using data to strategically assess and drive operational and financial decisions
• Excellent communication skills with diverse stakeholders (teachers, parents, guardians, students, etc.); clear writer, facilitator, and public speaker
• Demonstrated leader: experience managing staff towards results and holding staff accountable
• Technological proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel
• Minimum three years of experience in operations with at least two years of management experience
• Bachelor's degree required

Nice To Haves

• Charter school experience preferred
• Master’s preferred

Responsibilities

• Supervise, support, develop, and evaluate the Operations Team
• Partner with the network Operations Team to create and continuously improve a comprehensive strategy and vision for school-based operations and logistics that supports the mission of school-based operations: to proactively anticipate and meet the needs of students, families, teachers and academic leadership
• Facilitate all aspects of the co-location relationship in collaboration with school principal
• Work in collaboration with the school leadership team to plan professional development and trainings for school staff
• Actively engage in identity work and necessary conversations to dismantle white supremacy culture
• Oversee budget and cash management for school
• Review and approve purchases and vendor payments in accordance with Explore Schools fiscal policies and procedures
• Ensure overall school fiscal compliance, including compliance with funding/Title I requirements
• Review and approve staff payroll
• Manage and oversee all school day-to-day operations including facilities, food service, student recruitment & enrollment, attendance, grades and assessments, student information and records, family communication and engagement, safety, scheduling, staff communication, events, technology, purchasing, main office/reception, and schoolwide systems
• Oversee the creation and management of plans for schoolwide systems and duties including, but not limited to: arrival, breakfast, lunch, recess, hallways, and dismissal.
• Manage staff time and attendance systems and coverage in conjunction with leadership team
• Maintain monthly staff and Explore event calendars
• Oversee school-based compliance and reporting
• Collaborate with the Principal to prepare for authorizer and state site-visits
• Write and oversee distribution of school’s official correspondence with families
• Ensure timely notification of school events and all other important information
• Oversee all aspects of the school’s purchasing, inventory, equipment and supplies.
• Collaborate with school leadership to develop and implement action plans for the execution of school-wide events, including: transportation, information dissemination, traffic flow, venue logistics, audiovisual needs, etc.
• Maintain accurate & organized records of student information
• Work with co-located partners to create and implement annual school safety plan
• Ensure legally compliant safety procedures are in place, including procedures for lockdowns, evacuation, crisis, bus drills, and immunization compliance, coordinate with school nurse for proactive and reactive student health planning
• Ensure schoolwide community is trained on all safety policies and procedures
• Oversee compliance with CPR and AED certifications for staff
• Handle safety emergencies in conjunction with co-located, network, and DOE/law enforcement partners
• Assist with non-instructional supervision of students, as needed, such as arrival/dismissal, hallway monitoring, substitute teaching, lunch & playground duty, or supervision of extracurricular activities

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Paid time off
• Network shutdown days
• Considerable matching of retirement contributions
• Comprehensive benefits plan, covering up to 95% of the cost for employees and their families
• Dental and vision plans
• Employer paid disability and life insurance
• Parental leave benefits
• Flexible spending account options
• Generous vacation time
• Paid holidays
• Professional development
• Continuing education scholarships
• Referral bonuses
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Childcare assistance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• Flexible and reflective leadership: dedicated to staff development, team cohesion, and shared responsibility for decision-making, development, and team-wide priorities
• Driven and passionate colleagues who contribute to a professional and collaborative work environment
• Opportunities to sit on various committees and participate in initiatives central to key organizational decisions and strategic planning
• Weekly PD, year-round retreats and trainings, and ongoing coaching by professionals
• Scholarship funds towards qualifying certification costs or higher education tuition

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior