Senior Director of Operations (2024-2025)
Bronx, NY
4. School Leadership Opportunities /
Full-time /
On-site
An Invitation to Apply for the Position of
Senior Director of Operations
Bronx, NY
About Public Prep
Public Prep is an award-winning network of charter schools across Manhattan and the Bronx and the nation’s first non-profit tuition-free charter school network that develops exceptional Pre-K, and single-gender elementary and middle public schools. We pursue continuous excellence through our dedication to an inclusive community focused on scholar, family, and staff collaboration. Our scholars are resilient and empathetic, guided to realize their power and promise through our four core values of scholarship, excellence, community, and integrity.
Our teaching model is grounded in an anti-racist framework, and designed to incorporate a culturally responsive approach that is informed by data to cultivate an environment that empowers scholars to become independent learners. At Public Prep we believe race, income level, and zip code should not define your destiny, systemic and institutional racism must be disrupted, and all scholars should be empowered and ready to enter high school with voice, choice, opportunity and independence.
For more information about Public Prep, please visit their website.
What Sets Us Apart
In 2020, all of our campuses were recognized by NYS as Recognition Schools for their high academic achievement and strong progress. Board of Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa described them as “exemplary public schools that demonstrate that all students can achieve at high levels with the right supports and resources.” This honor has been bestowed upon the top 15% of schools in New York State.
Public Prep offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, qualifications, internal equity, and budgeted amount for the role. The salary for this position is $125,000. We offer a comprehensive benefits package. It includes Oxford Medical, United Dental/Vision, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account, generous paid time off, commuter benefits, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) package with a 5% employer match.
Public Preparatory Network is an Equal Opportunity employer. Public Preparatory Network is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.
Primary Function & Position Overview
The Senior Director of Operations (SDOO) will report into the Managing Director of Operations at the Public Prep Home Office. With regard to his/her school-based duties, the SDOO will manage the school’s operations team, including an Assistant Director of Facilities, two Assistant Director of Operations, two Operations Coordinators, and any School Aides or additional operational full-time or part-time staff. Among other duties listed below, he/she will be a member of the school’s leadership teams and collaborate with Directors of Operations at other Public Prep Academies. Additionally, the SDOO will oversee the campus food vendor, security, maintenance, after school programs & nurse partners. With regard to his/her Public Prep duties, he/she will ensure that the school meets or exceeds its goals regarding: (1) state, federal and charter authorizer compliance; (2) general fiscal accountability (i.e. support with budgeting and cross-network purchases); and (3) technology infrastructure support.
The Senior Director of Operations will oversee the operations and finance at the school and act as the primary operations school interface with the Public Prep.
Duties and Responsibilities
Finance and Purchasing
- Assist Principal and Public Prep’s Managing Director of Operations and Chief Financial Officer in creating and managing the school’s budget and finances.
- Ensure invoices received by the school are submitted to Accounts Payable and correctly classified.
- Maintain accurate records of all financial transactions (deposits, student payments, emergency checks, etc.).
- Participate in annual financial audit process as needed (i.e., manage financial documentation/filing process to ensure efficient year-end audit.
- Ensure adherence to the network's fiscal policies and procedures.
School Leadership and Management
- Directly supervise the school-based operations team which includes the direct management of Assistant Director level team members and After-School program leadership and supporting their supervision of direct reports.
- Establish and reinforce clearly-defined school-wide systems and procedures that enable a structured school environment, including procedures for arrival and dismissal, recess and lunch, and hallway transitions between classes, and to the main office and restroom facilities.
- Work in conjunction with the Principal and Academic Directors to develop school schedules that maximize academics, facilities and student health and safety.
- Work in conjunction with the Director of Afterschool to develop after school schedules that maximize academics, facilities and student health and safety.
- Ensure the smooth operation of the main office, including mailings, attendance reporting, machine maintenance, etc.
- Supervise the operations team and help address general office and administrative needs.
- Participate in regularly scheduled cross-network operations leadership team (“OLT”) meetings, led by Public Prep Managing Director of Operations, to ensure the school’s successful implementation of best practices, and shared, mission-aligned professional development.
School Operations, Logistics, and Facilities
- Serve as primary liaison to coordinate scheduling of shared spaces, building permits, and scheduling of required emergency protocols including managing the relationship between all building tenants.
- Prepare school for the new school year, including but not limited to, working with Public Prep to inventory and procure furniture and equipment, curriculum, and classroom supplies.
- Ensure student food services are ready for the start of school. Ongoing assessment/evaluation of vendor performance and health compliance.
- Oversee reimbursement of meals. Clarify finance role in recouping billable meals for other entities.
- Plan and coordinate logistics for school events and activities, including, but not limited to, testing, advocacy, concerts, and recruitment tours and information sessions.
- Managing contracts for translation, substitute teaching agencies, and other student related servicesHelp coordinate and act as a point person in hosting visitors including external/internal vendors, new and existing students, etc
Technology
- Oversee the maintenance and tracking of technology equipment.
- Implement staff technology training in conjunction with Public Prep.
- Ensure student information systems (internal & external) are kept up to date.
- Manage school-level of response for technology and troubleshooting.
Compliance and Reporting
- Provide school-level data to Public Prep with regard to all data analysis and reporting to the school’s authorizers, NYC Department of Education, New York State Education Department, federal government, and private funders.
- With the assistance of Public Prep Human Resources and Operations Teams, ensure school-wide compliance with health and safety laws, teacher certification and fingerprinting, city and state education mandates, and all federal and state workplace regulations.
- Ensure school-wide understanding and application of the Employee Handbook and network-wide employment policies, Family Handbook, Financial Policies and Procedures and network-wide fiscal policies.
Human Resources and Payroll Assistance
- Review and forward approved per session and exempt employee time sheets to the Payroll Specialist on scheduled payroll processing days.
- Reviews payroll journals sent by Payroll Specialist.
- Provide on-site HR support to school personnel, as needed, to support Public Prep Managing Director of Talent.
Facility Management
- Manage facilities contracts including building cleaning company, security, and private food vendor
- Ensure that the resources exist to manage the repair, maintenance, and continuous operation of all building systems including: fire/life safety, Mechanical (HVAC, plumbing), Electrical (lighting control equipment, bulb replacement, light construction (painting, doors, locks), digital systems (fire alarm, card access, security access systems), elevator control, and audio-visual systems, etc.
- Oversee the development and execution of a facilities management and preventive maintenance plans including building general contractor work.
- Oversee required governmental inspections, and regularly inspect all areas of the building and report deficiencies as well as suggestions for improvement
- Assist in ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and agencies; maintain up-to-date building documentation and certifications.
- Attend necessary school and external meetings to support maintenance, safety and management activities.
- Respond to and coordinate all emergency and school safety call activities, as necessary.
- Oversee custodial staff maintenance of building exterior and grounds. Ensure all required administrative records including, but not limited to, log books, work records, maintenance records, contractor visits, keys issued, etc.
Qualifications
- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Master’s degree in relevant field/MBA, preferred
- Minimum 4 years of related business/operations experience
- At least 2 years of demonstrated success managing a small team or multiple large projects
- Strong project management skills, ability to handle multiple priorities, and must be detail-oriented High level of comfort with financial oversight and budgetary tracking
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills
- Ability to think and act strategically Team player with strong interpersonal skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office; familiarity with financial management/accounting software, a plus
- Maturity, humility, strong work ethic, and “can-do” attitude
- Personable and has ability to interact with various stakeholders
Public Preparatory Network is an Equal Opportunity employer. Public Preparatory Network is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.
This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee.
Please be sure to attach a resume and a cover letter including examples of how you have demonstrated continuous learning and specific ways you have used data to drive decisions.
