Managing Director of Operations

Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of six PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.

In order to grow and scale with excellence, we recognize the critical importance of strong operational systems across our network and schools. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Managing Director of Operations will manage a team of four network staff and will be responsible for ensuring excellent operations across schools, programs, and the network. This role will be responsible for setting a high bar for network and school operations and will achieve that vision of excellence by managing and building relationships with others. The Managing Director of Operations will provide dotted line management and support to our school-based Directors of Operations and will directly manage the following teams: network operations, kitchen, facilities, and security. This role is responsible for all operational functions across DREAM and ensures that every operational function—including network and school operations, food, transportation, procurement, health and safety, facilities management, and executing school openings—is performed with excellence, so that student learning can flourish everywhere. This role also oversees the working environment at the network office.

• Effective teaming and vision-setting
• Collaborate on and move forward the vision for organizational health and operational excellence 
• Provide positive, collaborative leadership and participate in collegial problem-solving in a variety of situations and departments
• Collaborate with peers and the Management Team to refine, articulate, and continuously improve DREAM’s model to achieve targeted results
• Sets standards for all operational functions; formalizes key operational systems and structures to ensure that a replicable and measurable standard of excellence across the network
• Work with the Managing Director of Schools and Director of Programs to create and monitor processes to ensure operational functions are strong across the network
• Work with the Chief Operating Officer and Talent Team to support with the job design and hiring practices of relevant roles 

• Operations and Team Leadership 
• Drive excellence across all operational functions, including network and school operations, food, transportation, procurement, health and safety, facilities management, the network office physical environment, and executing school openings through the design and implementation of systems, processes and services that support DREAM schools and programs to achieve excellence throughout its growth
• Incorporate a strong customer service orientation into all aspects of CMO and network and school operations
• Develop, build, and manage data systems and processes for network and school operations functions, including dashboards, manuals, and performance checklists and operationalize through strategic change management to enable data-driven decision-making across the organization
• Collaborates with the Chief Operating Officer to identify, create, and implement network-wide systems and systems improvements to ensure consistency and efficiency across the network
• Creates operations playbooks, manuals, and resources that are inclusive of milestones, best practices, and example resources for excellent operations
• Create, implement, and monitor network-wide operations strategic initiatives & tools, including those that enhance principal/DOO collaboration and optimize the DOO’s role as a member of the school leadership teams
• Support hiring, on-boarding, management, and evaluation of all operations staff, including DOOs and network and school-based operations teams
• Supports the work of the Chief Operating Officer in creating scalable growth plans that ensure that all DREAM schools meet the standard of excellence

• Coaching and Support
• Manages, supports, coaches and is accountable for the success of network and school operations 
• Design performance metrics to evaluate network and school operations and action design strategic plans for accountability and improvement 
• Creates and executes ongoing professional development for all network and school operations, facilities, and kitchen staff including but not limited to, summer operations institute, operations data days, and operations retreat

• Developing and Nurturing Operations Pipeline
• Supports our talent team in developing and cultivating a recruitment strategy to attract quality operational leaders for school and network teams
• Develops succession plans for operations roles to ensure continuity year to year and to ensure healthy retention of excellent operations staff
• Designs professional development pathways for network and school operations, facilities, and kitchen staff to ensure that high performing operations teams exist across the network

• Compliance and Procurement
• Collaborates with the Director of Compliance to ensure compliance with all programs and process, including but not limited to, health and safety (CPR/First Aid certification, annual emergency drill requirements, health forms, etc) Department of Health and Building requirements, and food service (state and internal compliance)
• Responsible for managing the submission and maintenance of all license, applications, and certifications for DREAM’s scratch food program, including monthly reimbursement claims, Communication Eligibility Provision (CEP) applications, vendor RFPs, etc
• Oversees the kitchen staff in the execution of DREAM’s National School Lunch Program (NSLP)-compliant food service program.
• Maintaining required records, including those related to NSLP meal tracking, food production, purchasing, and inventory, as well as all HACCP documentation, including food safety and temperature logs
• Ensure all procurement rules and regulations are communicated and followed by network-wide teams
• Collaborates with the Director of Compliance to ensure timely and accurate submissions of per pupil bills
• Collaborates with the Director of Compliance to ensure timely and accurate execution of charter renewals

• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree in business or operations highly preferred;
• At least 5 years of experience and a track record of success in non-profit operations management with school-based operations management highly preferred;
• At least 5 years of leadership experience, required;
• A high bar for excellence and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-change organization;
• A self-starter who takes initiative over their work and development
• An outcomes oriented individual who sees outcomes as a reflection of their practice
• Demonstrated sense of ownership and responsibility over their work, outcomes, and development
• Demonstrated experience with effectively managing team members to concrete outcomes;
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and customer service skills and ability to work towards a common vision with various partners (e.g. school leaders, operations leaders, shared services teams);
• Ability to effectively and strategically prioritize between multiple high-leverage, high-risk issues; outstanding judgment and understanding of the implications of decisions on schools and partners;
• Excellent organization, project management, time management, and follow-up skills; 
• A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the belief that all students can succeed, and a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.

• In person 5 days a week, with some remote flexibility.
• Occasional after-hours and weekend work may be required (i.e., in order to support with inclement weather)
• On-site work at multiple DREAM locations throughout the South Bronx and East Harlem.
• Start Date: July 1, 2024

• We offer comprehensive benefits including:
• Flexible Medical Health Plans,  subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
• The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
• Dental and vision plans;
• Disability benefits;
• Life insurance;
• Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave; 
• Flexible spending account options;
• Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
• Fitness and entertainment discounts;
• A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
• A 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching up to 4% after one year of employment
• Referral bonuses;
• All full-time Network Support Team employees are eligible for approximately 48 days off throughout the year including holidays, sick days, personal days and summer Fridays.
• Benefits are subject to change.

• DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience with the potential for an annual performance-based increase. The incoming salary range for this position is $150,000  to $170,000 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. All staff are eligible for annual performance-based increases. Because we value staff tenure in each role, we do not currently cap salary ranges.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission. 

From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.

Come dream with us.

DREAM Maxims

All Kids Can. This Kid Can.

DREAM is Family.

Fun is a Serious Value.

Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.

Fail. Persist. Exceed.

DREAM Big.

Applying to DREAM

We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!

DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.