Director of School Operations on Assignment

Vertex Education

$75K — $95K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in relevant field like Business Administration or Education Leadership.
  • 3+ years in a leadership role in operations or school administration.
  • 2+ years managing cross-functional teams and complex projects.
  • 2+ years using data for process improvement and operational efficiency.
  • Ability to pass a state and federal criminal history background check.
  • Valid driver’s license for local travel.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee daily campus operations including facilities and technology.
  • Ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
  • Manage vendor relationships and optimize logistics.
  • Co-lead strategic planning to drive student outcomes.
  • Utilize data for performance tracking and issue resolution.
  • Apply Lean principles to streamline processes.
  • Hire and manage non-instructional staff to cultivate a service culture.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
  • Discounted onsite childcare and student enrollment priority.
  • Retirement plans with investment options.
  • Promotion opportunities, training, and mentoring.
  • Tuition reimbursement for further education.
Full Job Description

Position Overview

The Director of School Operations (DSO) plays a mission-critical role in creating a school environment where students and teachers can thrive. As the operational leader of the campus and partner to the Principal, the DSO ensures that every system — from facilities and safety to staffing, enrollment, and budget execution — functions efficiently, strategically, and in alignment with school goals. This role drives continuous improvement through data and Lean practices, fosters a culture of accountability and service across non-instructional teams, and directly supports school growth by enhancing the student and family experience. Through this work, the DSO helps remove barriers to learning and ensures all students have access to safe, welcoming, and high-functioning schools.

Essential Functions

1. Campus Operations & Resource Management

  • Oversee day-to-day campus operations across facilities, food service, technology, transportation, and front office systems.

  • Ensure safe, clean, and well-maintained physical environments that support learning and comply with all regulatory standards.

  • Manage vendor relationships, procurement, and logistics to optimize efficiency and minimize disruptions to instruction.

  • Align resources with academic priorities through effective budget management, purchasing, and grant execution.

2. Strategic Planning & Operational Excellence

  • Co-lead school-wide strategic planning alongside the Principal, driving operational goals that support student outcomes.

  • Use data dashboards, daily huddles, and KPI reviews to track performance and quickly resolve issues.

  • Apply Lean principles such as 5S and root-cause analysis to streamline processes and reduce waste.

  • Design and maintain systems that promote continuous improvement, accountability, and cross-functional collaboration.

3. Safety, Compliance & Emergency Preparedness

  • Ensure full compliance with health, safety, and workplace regulations, including training, reporting, and inspections.

  • Oversee campus safety protocols including emergency plans, drills, and arrival/dismissal logistics.

  • Maintain compliance with operational audits, state/federal grants, and funding requirements.

  • Coordinate with local authorities, first responders, and regulatory agencies as needed.

4. Team Leadership & Talent Development

  • Hire, train, and manage non-instructional staff, ensuring role clarity, operational excellence, and a strong service culture.

  • Set performance goals, conduct evaluations, and coach team members toward continuous growth and improvement.

  • Foster a culture of high expectations, ownership, and customer service across all operations functions.

  • Model professional leadership through clear communication, reliability, and solution-oriented problem-solving.

5. Enrollment, Community Engagement & External Relations

  • Lead campus-based enrollment strategies in partnership with the Principal and Marketing team to meet or exceed targets.

  • Host recruitment events, open houses, and school tours that showcase the school’s mission and culture.

  • Build relationships with local partners, businesses, and community groups to support visibility and enrollment growth.

  • Oversee and support Parent Volunteer Organization (PVO/PTO) engagement and campus events.

Required Qualifications

Education

  • Master’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Education Leadership, Public Administration, or a related field.

Experience

  • Minimum of 3 years in a leadership role in operations or school administration.

  • At least 2 years of experience managing cross-functional teams and overseeing complex projects or systems.

  • At least 2 years of experience using data and structured routines to drive process improvement and operational efficiency.

Credentials

  • Must be able to pass a state and federal criminal history background check.

  • Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally between campuses as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience working in a charter school or K–12 public school system.

  • Formal training or certification in Lean Six Sigma or related continuous improvement frameworks.

  • Experience with student recruitment, enrollment growth strategies, or community engagement initiatives.

Enjoy the benefits of being the best!

Education is not a spectator sport, so we encourage you to work hard, learn, have fun, and always do your best. We thrive when cultivating curious minds, achieving award-winning results, upholding our values, and engaging positively with our students, parents, and communities. Every team member, from our support staff to our leadership team has knowledge to share, skills to teach, inspiration to offer, and a passion for helping others learn and perform their best.

 

Enjoy industry-leading pay, rewards, referral bonuses and paid time-off. Care for your health and your family with comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, discounted onsite childcare and student enrollment priority. Invest in your future with retirement plans and enhance your growth with promotion opportunities, training, mentoring, and tuition reimbursement. 

Ignite your career and apply today! 

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