School Operations Manager

About the School

The Leadership School is a new, innovative charter public school that will open fall 2022 to serve students and families within the boundaries of the Normandy Schools Collaborative. The school will start with kindergarten through second grade and add a grade each year, growing to kindergarten through eighth grade over six years. The Leadership School exists to ensure that all children in our community grow their leadership capacity through earnest engagement in an academically rigorous, culturally relevant, and relationship-oriented environment. In addition to providing a strong foundation of relationships and belonging and the toolkit of academic skills, our students will have authentic opportunities to practice and exercise leadership—in one’s own life and the world around them. 

About the Position

The School Operations Manager (SOM) is responsible for facilitating duties that are not directly related to instruction and student achievement. These services include managing school activities, facilities, food and transportation services, security, school schedules, student information system, special events, and maintenance/custodial

The School Operations Manager (SOM) will manage our relationship with Ed Ops, a national organization that specializes in the finance, student data and operations work of leading schools. EdOps will provide back-office support on items such as payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and set up of our student information system, as well as contracted services. The SOM will be the main point of contact with the team at EdOps.

The SOM will work closely with the School Leadership Team to develop a school-wide vision that operationalizes the academic and cultural vision of the school in order to fulfill the school’s mission and vision. In the future, a successful School Operations Manager may apply for the Director of Operations role as the school grows and builds out its team.

Minimum Qualifications for SOM Candidates 

Experience required:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Management, Systems Engineering or Facilities Management or similar area OR at least 5 years of successful school-based operations experience
• Experience with operations of a school or non-profit organization highly preferred
• Experience with vendor management including services negotiation, contract execution management and quality assurance highly preferred
• Experience working in organizations serving people of color and low-income communities

Required knowledge, skills & abilities:

• Evidence of alignment with school's mission: putting student leadership at the center of learning
• Evidence of alignment to core values of love, excellence, authenticity and discipline
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity and a deep understanding of drivers of the opportunity gap

• Exemplary organizational skills; ability to establish and manage multiple priorities; ability to work under pressure 
• Excellent computer skills, including all Google applications
• Demonstrated knowledge of management principles and practices 
• Ability to act analytically and strategically to solve problems quickly 
• Sound understanding of basic accounting practices
• Ability to promote teamwork, and a proven record of strong execution
• Ability to effectively negotiate and manage vendor contracts
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills 
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written
• Desire to work in a role and environment serving children
• Ability to exercise excellent judgment in decision-making 
• Ability to work independently with diverse constituents while maintain high professional standards 
• Patience, flexibility and a sense of humor
• Humility, strong work ethic, and an entrepreneurial ‘roll up my sleeves’ attitude

Key Responsibilities 

All employees must support and maintain the integrity of the school’s mission and values. As a founding team member, the SOM will model the school’s core values at all times, be a visible and highly engaged leader in the school community, and exhibit a high degree of professionalism in all elements of this position. The Leadership School’s founding School Operations Manager will be responsible for the coordination and management of all operational controls, administrative and reporting procedures, and systems to ensure financial strength, operating efficiency, and to promote student success. 

School Operations:

• Facilitates all aspects of school operations, including facilities, food and transportation services, security, school schedules, rosters, student information system, visitors, special events,  maintenance, outdoor recreation areas, custodial, field trips, payroll, and benefits
• Manage community use of school site. 
• Facilitate the completion and maintenance of of the Staff Handbook
• Assist with the completion of the school’s annual calendar
• Serve as the operational epicenter for the school who interacts with facilities, tech and office team members for both accountability and support
• Assist with front office processes, communication and workflow to ensure efficiency and service for staff, students and families
• Responsible for school safety plan: disaster preparation, fire drills, student, staff and public safety, and student health.
• Assist the Director of Student Affairs with student recruitment and family engagement
• Build and maintain relationships with students, faculty, staff, parents and families
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director

Business Affairs:

• Facilitate the school-based functions for finance, provide timely documentation to the back-office vendor and/or school accountant
• Manage school-based personnel communication to support the back-office vendor, including onboarding, benefits administration, leave, termination, etc.
• Coordinate timely reporting to the Board of Directors and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in conjunction with the back-office vendor on finance
• Work collaboratively with the back-office vendor to ensure that all accounts payable obligations are met in a timely fashion
• Ensure that staff recruiting processes are consistent and streamlined

• Ensure personnel files are in compliance with board policy and federal and state employment laws

Facility & IT Management:

• Manage relationships with vendors and service providers to:
  • Ensure the physical operation of the school facility including maintenance, repairs and renovations; safety and security; waste management and janitorial; supply procurement 
  • Ensure the technology infrastructure and systems including the school’s data network, laptop and tablet devices, phone systems, access controls, photocopiers and classroom display technologies
  • Ensure that we maintain and report all required environmental, health, safety and maintenance standards required by law
  • Manage and maintain overall school cleanliness

Risk Management & Legal:

• Support the Executive Director to:
  • Coordinate evaluation and selection of insurance policies (ex: general liability, property, and casualty)
  • Manage internal incident report process, notifying carrier and filing claims as needed
  • Oversee compliance requirements associated with insurance policies (i.e. workers comp reports)
  • Track and manage key contract details (i.e. term, notice of cancellation) and advise stakeholders on enforcement of terms
  • Ensure that the campus is secure during the day and after-hours

What we offer you:

• A community where whole-child education takes center stage, and where individualized learning, student leadership, and authentic hands-on experiences are at the core of continuous innovation 
• Opportunities to get out of the box you have been teaching in, implement your ideas, and incorporate new learning methods  
• Opportunities to serve in leadership roles while still doing what you love: logistics and operations!
• Competitive salary and access to comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision
• Member of State of Missouri PSRS/PEERS 

The Leadership School is an equal opportunity employer.  We seek applicants of diverse backgrounds and hire without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

Ready for your next challenge? Are you ready to join the The Leadership School family and embark on this journey with us?  If so, please apply today!