Director, Real Estate - Planning & Operations

Uncommon Schools•Newark, NJ

7h•$111,200 - $139,000•Onsite

About The Position

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks , reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators , offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required; master's degree in a related field (architecture, real estate, facilities management, construction management, or similar) preferred
7–10 years of work experience in a related field
Directly relevant experience in roles such as: Project Manager, Construction Project Manager, Facilities Manager, Real Estate Developer, Architect, or Design professional
Relevant experience in roles such as: Program Coordinator, Operations Leader, Facilities Coordinator, or similar project management roles
Experience in architecture, construction, construction project management, facility management, or a related field
Exceptional strategic, analytical, and critical thinking skills—comfortable moving between high-level strategy and detailed execution
Proven ability to design and build new systems, structures, and processes
Strong project management skills: ability to drive multiple workstreams, communicate clearly to diverse stakeholders, and see projects through to completion
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to different audiences
Demonstrated leadership and people management experience
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
Ability to work with data and information to monitor progress toward goals
Ability to walk up multiple flights of stairs during site visits and facility inspections
Comfortable sitting at a desk for extended periods
Based in Newark, NJ
Some travel required—approximately monthly travel outside of your home region. Travel needs vary seasonally, with periods of intensive regional work and periods of more centralized focus

Responsibilities

Drive the annual capital projects planning process across all regions, ensuring projects stay on schedule and align with our strategic priorities
Conduct site visits and meetings with school operations leaders to understand facility needs and develop a comprehensive program of capital improvements
Work with our architecture and facilities experts to prioritize projects, coordinate with Finance to assess available resources, and develop a five-year capital plan that supports long-term decision-making
Monitor and communicate progress on all capital projects to stakeholders, maintaining clear and actionable tracking systems
Partner with leadership to manage the yearly planning process and execute Real Estate & Facilities initiatives
Develop project plans, materials, and deliverables to support initiative rollout, execution, and monitoring
Lead strategic and innovative initiatives as assigned, creating materials for presentations and reports to gain approval and feedback from senior leadership
Establish and lead consistent communication frameworks with regional offices, including transparent reporting on real estate and facilities challenges
Manage ad hoc requests from home office and regional teams while staying informed about facility needs across all regions
Serve as the primary liaison between Real Estate & Facilities and other home office teams
Assist with or lead design for capital improvement and new school building projects; establish systems for tracking design reviews and consultant coordination
Monitor budgets and forecasts with our operations team; standardize reporting practices across regions and identify financial risks for leadership review
Lead the internal budgeting process, ensuring resource allocation aligns with strategic initiatives and fiscal responsibility
Directly manage and mentor team members, providing coaching to ensure consistency in systems, accountability, and professional development
Define, track, and report on key performance indicators and organizational goals to ensure Real Estate & Facilities priorities remain aligned with broader organizational objectives