Chief Operating Officer, Central Office (C124-2425) - Hartford Public Schools

REPORTS TO

Deputy Superintendent for Administration and Finance (Primary)/Superintendent of Schools (Secondary)

SUPERVISES

Office of Enrollment and School Choice, Facilities Department, Food & Child Nutrition Services Department, Transportation Office, and Educational Technology

PRIMARY SUMMARY

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will be responsible for the oversight of all Hartford Public Schools’ operational areas and will supervise and evaluate administrators and teachers as assigned. Specific areas of responsibility include: Enrollment and School Choice, Facilities, Food Services, Transportation, educational technology, and serving as the district liaison to Metro-Hartford Information Services (MHIS). The COO will define the operational structure to support these and all responsible areas. Additionally, the COO will perform supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Hartford Public schools’ policies and applicable laws.

The Chief Operating Officer will have a laser focus on accelerating equity and organizational excellence by achievement of the overarching priorities of the Hartford Public Schools’ multi-year strategic plan and annual operating plan.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Chief Operating Officer’s responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to the following:

• Advises and counsels the Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent regarding district and school operations
• Maintains a comprehensive understanding of key instructional activities and establishes and implements goals to maximize performance of non-instructional functions in support of the educational goals of the district
• Supports the goals of the District and establishes and directs all short-term and long-range operational plans consistent with school system philosophy to highly support the educational goals and objectives
• Clearly and effectively communicates with, and presents information to, governing bodies, policy makers, federal and state law making bodies, local community districts, parental districts, news media and other interested parties upon request of the Superintendent
• Develops and maintains positive working relations with local, state, and federal governmental and community partners
• Assists school and district administrators in areas of operations as needed
• Eliminates workflow bottlenecks and streamlines processes and protocols by serving as point person between leadership and departments
• Develops and institutes customer-based approach to district’s operations to serve students in the most effective and cost-efficient manner
• Serves as strategic leader and thought partner for Superintendent and Superintendent’s Senior Leadership Team
• Supports Superintendent in driving district accountability and responsiveness to student, teacher, and community needs
• Works closely with the Superintendent and relevant individuals to develop and implement a school choice strategy
• Partners with the Superintendent and Board of Education in developing long-range plans for magnet school programming, capacity, and funding
• Serves as the district liaison with the Regional School Choice Office, monitoring the implementation of magnet school themes, enrollment, and funding consistent with all relevant Sheff agreements
• Creates and manages short-term and long-term strategies for smooth and effective operations and collaborative approaches across departments and schools
• Creates a culture of engagement and expectations with principals and other administrators
• Provides guidance and direction to subordinate managers toward their professional development to ensure and maintain a skilled staff
• Participates in the effective negotiation of contracts that enhance the educational environment for schools in a cost-effective way
• Assists in ensuring district compliance with local, state, and federal policies laws and regulations; analyzes and interprets government regulations and statutes
• Oversees compilation, preparation, and distribution of statistical and other data for federal, State Department of Education, and local reports
• Makes presentations as necessary when required by the Superintendent
• Supervises enrollment and school choice, transportation, food services, facilities, and educational technology teams
• Collaborates with the Office of Schools and other departments to assist school and district administrators in operation areas, as needed, particularly as it relates to enrollment and planning for student capacity
• Develops and implements policies and procedures relative to student enrollment and manages the overall process of assignment of students to schools, recommending changes to the Superintendent as needed
• Serves as the district lead for all school construction projects and is the primary liaison to the City of Hartford for school construction planning, funding, and execution
• Oversees the district student technology program, developing and implementing policies and procedures for management of student computers
• Represents the Superintendent in functions, meetings, conferences, etc. related to operations as required
• Centrally coordinates all school district operations-related functions and develops a seamless approach and strategy for eliminating work silos
• Blends district’s operations functions to increase efficiencies and improve communication between departments
• Directs the operations of contractors, other vendors, and school district staff in the provision of daily services to include student bus transportation, food service, custodial and grounds maintenance, and other areas as assigned
• Serves as the district liaison to MHIS
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Deputy Superintendent and Superintendent

SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

The following characteristics and physical skills are important for the successful performance of assigned duties.

Empathy and Commitment to Cause:

• Deeply understands the urban school system environment and commitment to improving student achievement
• Passionately believes that all students can achieve at high levels
• Demonstrates cultural competence and a deep understanding of and empathy for issues facing urban families

Communication, Interpersonal and Team Skills:

• Builds and maintains strong relationships
• Works successfully alone or on a team
• Coaches, coordinates, and leads teams
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; tailors message for the audience, context, and mode of communication
• Actively listens to others and effectively interprets others’ motivations and perceptions
• Builds consensus and resolves conflicts; exhibits willingness to have difficult conversations
• Skillfully navigates existing political structures/systems

Problem Solving and Systems Thinking:

• Understands how various systems / departments interact to achieve the long-term goal
• Understands systematic continuous improvement processes
• Makes decisions using data and technological resources
• Takes initiative to solve problems and create stakeholder buy-in
• Identifies and prioritizes mission critical issues with alignment of people, time, and resources
• Offers innovative solutions to seemingly intractable problems
• Exhibits strong focus on goals and results; sets clear metrics for success
• Thrives in achievement-oriented and fast-paced environment
• Removes barriers or obstacles that make it difficult for principals to achieve their goals and ensures that school leaders have the resources they need to succeed
• Demonstrates excellent execution and project management skills, including attention to detail, organizational skills, ability to balance the big picture with detailed steps to reach the end goal, and ability to balance multiple projects under tight deadlines

Leadership Skills:

• Motivates, inspires, and moves other adults to action to achieve ambitious goals
• Skilled at re-envisioning, building, and managing a team, especially in a time of growth and change; excellent at identifying talent and taking advantage of each person’s skills and contribution to team effort
• Builds and maintains positive relationships with individuals and groups
• Moves groups to consensus and resolves conflicts; exhibits willingness to have difficult conversations
• Builds coalitions and works collaboratively with diverse stakeholders at all levels, including but not limited to district personnel, students, families, communities, and/or advocacy groups
• Establishes clear expectations, deliverables, and deadlines
• Sets clear agendas and facilitates effective meetings
• Ability to train, supervise, and evaluate staff from different cultural backgrounds and skill sets

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, education, or related field; advanced degree (JD, MBA, MPA, or CPA) preferred
• Extensive (over 5 years) relevant work experience and knowledge of business, finance, schools/district management, personnel management, information technology, ancillary services, and operations
• At least five (5) years of senior level experience working directly with superintendents, executive cabinet leaders, school board members, nonprofits, or community representatives preferred
• Evidence of successful experience leading major change management efforts, preferably in public schools or a similar organization
• Evidence of successful experience developing and implementing efficient systems and processes in areas such as facilities management, technology, or operations
• Evidence of successful experience in an urban school district, nonprofit organization, or public institution
• Experience with bargaining unit contract administration and negotiation preferred
• Previous experience with school construction or renovation projects preferred
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and strong judgment
• Have a professional demeanor and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Strong, effective oral and written communications skills, as well as interpersonal skills
• Organizational skills, including follow-up and meticulous attention to detail
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently
• Demonstrated initiative and high level of motivation
• Proven ability to oversee staff and build consensus among peer professionals unfamiliar with operations
• Service orientation towards supporting schools, the Superintendent, and the City of Hartford
• Operate with proficiency a computer and assigned software programs, including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office Suite; ability to learn to use new software related to job responsibilities

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENT

Connecticut Intermediate Administration or Supervision Certification (092) is preferred.

SALARY AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This non-bargaining position has a 12-Month work year. Salary will be in accordance with an individual employment contract, based on a salary range of $155,000 - $175,000.

EVALUATION

Evaluated annually

UNION AFFILIATION

Not applicable

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: To be considered, all internal and external applicants must fully complete a Hartford Public Schools’ online application, which can be accessed through our Applicant Tracking System, Nimble, at https://app.hirenimble.com/jobs/hartford. Internal applicants should use a personal email address when applying. Please do not use your hartfordschools.org email. Candidates’ application and supporting documents will be reviewed. Candidates will be contacted directly by the hiring manager for interviews.