Director of OperationsBerrien Springs, MI The Role:TheDirector of Business Operations is a senior leadership role responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating the district's non-instructional operations.
Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Business Operations provides strategic leadership for the district's non-instructional operations, ensuring that facilities, transportation, food service, capital planning, lease administration, and operational systems support safe, efficient, fiscally responsible, and strategically aligned district operations across both on-site and off-site locations.
Competencies for Our Director of Business Operations:Operational Leadership - Provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for the district's Facilities, Transportation, and Food Service departments. Establishes service expectations, performance standards, and accountability measures that ensure safe, reliable, and efficient district operations.
Operational Systems -Designs and improves district operational systems, workflows, dashboards, SOPs, and performance metrics that improve accountability, efficiency, customer service, and communication across operational departments.
Facilities & Capital Planning - Leads long-range facility planning, capital improvement planning, construction coordination, and operational readiness. Collaborates with architects, contractors, the Owner's Representative, and district leadership to ensure projects remain aligned with district priorities, budgets, and timelines.
Lease & Real Estate Portfolio Management - Oversees the district's portfolio of leased and partner-operated facilities, including renewals, negotiations, critical date tracking, and operational readiness planning. Maintains centralized lease management systems and coordinates with legal counsel, landlords, and district leadership to ensure compliance with lease obligations and strategic alignment of district sites.
Contracts & Vendor Management - Responsible for district operational contracts including transportation, food service, maintenance, custodial services, partnerships, and other operational agreements. Coordinates procurement, contract administration, renewals, and vendor performance monitoring.
Strategic Planning & Growth Support - Supports the district's expansion and optimization efforts related to off-site learning centers and partnership models. Assists with feasibility analysis, operational due diligence, and implementation planning for new sites, relocations, and strategic operational initiatives.
Safety, Compliance & Risk Management -Provides executive oversight of operational compliance including applicable health, safety, environmental, transportation, food service, and facility regulations. Identifies operational risks and develops mitigation strategies that protect district assets and ensure business continuity.
Cross-Functional Collaboration - Serves as a bridge between Finance, Human Resources, Facilities, Transportation, Food Service, Technology, academic leadership, and off-site operations to ensure operational decisions are aligned with enrollment growth, staffing capacity, facility availability, and district strategy. Facilitates communication and accountability across operational functions.
Decision Rights and Authority Stewardship - Operates within and reinforces the documented decision rights of the finance function. Makes authorized recommendations promptly within scope; escalates decisions that exceed scope through documented channels. Provides the analytical foundation that supports decisions made at the CFO, Superintendent, and Board level.
What We'll Love About You:You have five or more years of experience in operations management, project management, real estate/lease administration, facilities coordination, or a related leadership field. Experience within a public school district, governmental organization, or other multi-site organization is preferred.
You possess strong organizational, analytical, and operational planning skills, along with demonstrated experience managing complex projects, contracts, or operational systems. You are highly effective at balancing strategic planning with practical execution and can successfully coordinate across multiple departments and stakeholders.
You are an excellent communicator with strong relationship-building skills and the ability to navigate complex operational challenges with professionalism and sound judgment. You are detail-oriented, systems-minded, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
You believe operational excellence creates organizational stability - and you bring the structure, discipline, and initiative necessary to build it.
Why You Will Love This Role:As Director of Business Operations, you will lead the operational infrastructure that enables teaching and learning across the district. From maintaining safe and efficient facilities to overseeing transportation, food service, capital improvements, and strategic operational initiatives, you will help shape how the district serves students every day while building systems that support future growth.
You will work alongside district leaders who value operational clarity, accountability, collaboration, and strategic thinking. Your work will directly contribute to improving organizational alignment, reducing operational risk, and strengthening the district's ability to support students and staff effectively.
What You'll Get Out of This Role:- A leadership role in a district that values financial stewardship, strategic analysis, and system design.
- The opportunity to help build and refine operational systems that support a growing and evolving educational organization.
- A comprehensive benefits package that includes merit pay, longevity benefits after five years of service, a retirement plan, health insurance, and life insurance.
- A collaborative and dedicated team that values your expertise, your judgement, and contributions to building durable analytical capacity.
Classification: Administrative (Classification 5)
Position Title: Director of Business Operations
Reports To: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Salary: $85,000 - $120,000, based on experience
Length of Contract: 12 months
Location: Berrien Springs Public Schools
Start Date: July 1, 2026 or as soon as available
