The Role
Prospect Schools is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and equity-driven Senior Director of School Operations to lead and scale operational excellence across our growing network. The ideal candidate is a systems-level thinker with a deep belief in distributed leadership and a record of building strong relationships across diverse teams. They will coach and manage school-based operations leaders, establish consistent and scalable systems, and ensure that each of our schools has the operational foundation needed to support student success.
As a senior member of the Operations leadership team, this leader will partner with the Chief Operating Officer and share responsibility for a portfolio of Directors of School-Based Operations. The role carries significant influence, requiring the ability to lead through layers, guide DSOs in developing strong teams, and collaborate with both school and network leadership to set direction on key initiatives. By combining impact, influence, and sound decision-making, the Senior Director will drive operational excellence that supports Prospect Schools' academic and cultural vision.
Key ResponsibilitiesTalent Development & Management- Manage and coach Directors of School Operations (DSOs), including setting goals, monitoring progress, and providing regular feedback
- Design and lead a robust management cadence (e.g., 1:1s, walkthroughs, project plan reviews) to drive team performance and accountability
- Cultivate leadership within school-based operations teams by promoting clear growth pathways and distributed leadership
- Serve as a visible and values-driven model of Prospect Schools leadership, setting the tone for professionalism, equity, and collaboration across school operations teams
- Plan, deliver, and create professional development aligned to the school year cycle and the needs of the team members, including but not exclusive to:
- Summer Operations Institute - preparation for the year ahead
- Monthly DSO Convenings - cross-school leadership collaboration and shared learning
- Ongoing Training Resources - responsive skill-building and problem-solving
- Foster a culture of collaboration, peer coaching, and continuous improvement across the DSO team
Systems Development & Implementation- Co-create and champion a clear, consistent vision for operational excellence across all schools, while holding operational leaders accountable for results.
- Develop scalable tools and resources to support schools, such as operations playbooks, rubrics for operational health, and project plans for key milestones like school launch and the first day of school.
- Lead change management efforts to ensure smooth rollout of new systems and structures across the network.
- Build infrastructure to monitor and improve operational effectiveness, including dashboards, performance metrics, walkthrough protocols, and launch readiness tools.
- Ensure DSOs are not only meeting their own performance expectations but also developing the capacity of their teams-demonstrating how to lead effectively through layers and sustain excellence across multiple levels of staff.
Cross-Functional Collaboration- Partner with Principals and the Managing Director of Schools to ensure operations are seamlessly aligned with academic priorities.
- Collaborate with network teams (HR, Finance, People, Network Operations, etc.) to ensure central services are designed to meet the day-to-day realities of schools. This includes clarifying roles and responsibilities, creating stronger systems for information-sharing, and ensuring alignment between network and school-based priorities.
- Drive alignment on critical processes such as budget development and management, talent management systems, and school calendar planning, making sure these systems are consistent, transparent, and responsive to school needs.
- Build strong relationships between school-based and network teams to ensure a cohesive, high-quality experience for staff, students, and families.
About You- Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred
- 5-7 years of progressive school operations leadership experience, including 3+ years managing and developing others
- Proven success designing systems, driving execution, and leading cross-functional initiatives
- Comfortable navigating complexity and organizational change
- Strong project management and analytical skills
- Strong problem-solving and strategic planning skills
- Committed to the growth and development of team members
- Passionate about equity, inclusion, and the mission of intentionally diverse schools
Salary:
Employees at Prospect Schools are provided with a competitive salary. Our salaries are set through a lens of equity, and based on an individual's direct experience related to this role. The salary for this role starts at $150,000.Additional DetailsSchedule: Hybrid; minimum 3 days in-office per week (Mondays required)
Benefits:
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Generous paid time off and sick time
- 401(k) and Roth IRA with 4% match and 3-year vesting
- Pre-tax commuter benefits and FSA options
- Ancillary insurance and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
