Director of Operations - KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools

KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools is part of the KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory schools dedicated to ensuring that every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. There are 280 KIPP schools in 21 states and the District of Columbia serving more than 175,000 scholars and alumni. KIPP Metro Atlanta currently operates 11 schools including five primary schools, six middle schools and one high school, as well as KIPP Forward which supports scholars on their journey to a choice-filled life. We are a social justice organization and our vision and mission require the work of dedicated, bold and skilled leaders, educators, and support staff who are committed to serving as the catalyst for joyful, academically excellent schools and the foundation for building a more just and equitable world for our scholars.

The Director of Operations is a school-based leadership role that oversees all finance and operations functions necessary to run a high-performing school.  This includes budgeting, purchasing, facilities, food services, transportation, technology, medical/health services, school safety, student recruitment, student data, regulatory compliance, human resource support, and academic operations support. The Director of Operations serves as a key member of the School Leadership Team, ensuring that campus operations meet high standards of operational excellence, and enables instructional leaders and staff to focus on driving strong student achievement outcomes.

Job Responsibilities:

School Operations Leadership & Operations Team Management 

• Serves as the eyes and ears of the campus to ensure that all school operations run seamlessly every day, proactively problem solving and developing systems where needed 
• In partnership with the Principal and the region, implements the campus-wide operation's vision that supports and operationalizes the academic and cultural vision of the schools
• Plays a leadership role in developing the school's strategic annual plan and budget, and facilitates campus-wide operations planning
• Hires, manages, coaches, and develops school operations team members 
• Holds the school operations team and vendors accountable to goals and outcomes
• Serves as the primary point of contact for the Regional Shared Service Team, responding to requests and collaborating with teammates across the region to build scalable, region-wide systems, policies, and procedures
• Serves as school leader in the absence of the Principal and during coverage of athletic events or other extracurricular activities

Finance & Purchasing 

• Works closely with the Principal to develop the school’s annual budget and actively manages the school budget throughout the year 
• Manages the campus purchasing process by establishing clear systems for staff to request items, placing orders with vendors, tracking delivery, and coding and submitting purchase orders, invoices, and reimbursement requests; approves school purchases under a specific financial threshold
• Serves as the first school-based point of contact regarding finance and works with the regional Finance team to ensure financial compliance and reporting
• Manages Title I budget and compliance

Facilities and Maintenance

• Oversees most facilities issues, including maintenance, managing staff/vendors, aesthetics, shared space agreements, and campus safety
• Regularly conducts facilities walkthroughs and liaises with custodial staff/vendors to ensure that the facility looks clean, professional, warm, and inviting
• Ensures that the main office is neat, organized, welcoming, and has all important parent-facing materials

Student & Family Services (School Ops, Communications, Field Lessons/Events)

• Oversees food service administration, setting and managing meal schedules, staff duty schedules, and student transitions for all meals
• Oversees transportation, including campus arrival and dismissal procedures, setting and managing staff duty schedules for arrival and dismissal
• Owns logistics of communications and external relations through parent letters, weekly staff notes, and surveys; serves as campus liaison with regional shared service staff   
• Owns all logistics (e.g. transportation, lodging, meals, staffing plan, etc.) of all off-site field lessons and all on-site special events (Report Card Nights, Performances, Graduation, staff celebrations, etc.)
• Serves as the point person for hosting visitors on school tours

Technology & Equipment 

• Ensures that students and staff have access to needed technology and works with the regional Technology Team to plan technology related enhancements 
• Leads the campus opening/start-up process each year to ensure that doors are ready to open by ordering furniture, equipment, and instructional supplies are ready to go
• Manages the school’s supply and asset inventory (e.g. computers, textbooks)

Student Recruitment, Information, Testing, and Academic Operations Support

• Manages systems for and maintains accurate student data and information in compliance with federal, state, regional, and campus expectations
• Led student assessment process, working closely with the Assistant Principal to fully manage the logistical elements of all major student assessments 
• Manages logistics of report cards/progress reports/transcripts
• In collaboration with the regional shared service team, develops and manages student recruitment strategy to ensure that the school begins the academic year with full classes and actively recruits to fill open seats
• Ensures that parent info sessions, school tours, and the lottery and enrollment process are tightly planned and executed

Risk Management, Compliance, and HR Administration

• Ensure that the school is prepared for emergencies by conducting all drills and training staff on emergency plans
• Partners with regional Talent Team on the new hire process (e.g. interviews, new hire offer letters, onboarding)
• Ensures all visitors and personnel interacting with students have appropriate background checks on file; and schools comply with all areas of legal compliance (e.g. HR, FERPA, etc.)
• Completes the exit form for terminating employees and partners with the regional Talent Team on any action items surrounding the exit logistics
• Reviews time-off data provided by the Talent Team to ensure accuracy and assess leave trends
• Partners with the regional Talent Team to communicate leave needs and critical dates, and assists in the facilitation of employee leaves

• Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s Degree preferred
• 5 years minimum work experience, preferably in education and/or business or operations management  
• 2 years minimum work experience managing a team and large projects with financial oversight and budget management
• Strong project and time management skills; ability to effectively backward plan, juggle multiple priorities with great attention to detail and deliver consistent and timely results
• Strong strategic and analytical skills with an aptitude for systems-building
• Strong ability to proactively solve problems and make decisions quickly
• Team player with strong interpersonal and stakeholder management and relationship building skills
• Ability to lead, influence, and hold others accountable to high standards of excellence
• Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
• Desire to continuously learn and increase effectiveness as a professional 
• Unwavering commitment to KIPP’s mission and willingness to go above and beyond to meet the needs of KIPP students, families, and staff

Compensation & Benefits:

Compensation for this role is between $75,000 and $85,000.  The starting pay will depend on various factors that may include but are not limited to professional experience, education, training, and certifications. KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 8 days of Paid Time Off, in addition to identified holidays and regular school breaks including Fall Break, Thanksgiving Break, Mid-Winter Break and Spring Break.
• Comprehensive health insurance (medical and dental), life insurance and optional short and long-term disability
• Paid Parental Leave 
• Participation in Georgia retirement plan and an optional 403(b) retirement plan

Location & Work Conditions:

This position requires candidates to be based in Atlanta and regularly be in schools and able to attend in-person meetings and events.  Additional in-person time may be necessary based upon organizational needs.

Statement of Nondiscrimination:

KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.