School Director of Operations

Schedule

Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:15pm

Salary

$80,000–$108,000

What is the opportunity?

This innovative school focuses on building independence, ingenuity, empathy, and leadership through enrichment programming, agile learning, and exceptional instruction. That’s where you come in. We’re seeking a visionary operational leader who is committed to excellence, equity, and student success. As the Director of Operations, you will oversee and align critical systems—transportation, student enrollment, food service, and school logistics—to power our mission. Are you a strategic thinker with a strong track record of building efficient, responsive, and high-performing teams? Are you ready to lead systems that support educators and families alike? Your next step is clear. Grow with us.

 

What is in it for you?

• Merit-based pay increases annually 
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefit plans
• Tax-deferred 403b retirement account with 25% matching up to a certain amount 
• Free financial wellness advising through our Financial Advisor Service
• Optional short or long-term disability benefits through Aflac
• Regular strategic professional development and coaching
• Career advancement opportunities
• Smartphone and fully paid wireless plan through T-Mobile
• Windows-based laptop 
• Regular team-building activities and outings
• 10 sick days and 3 personal days that roll over annually 
• 20 paid holiday observances
• A rewarding career that positively impacts the lives of our amazing students

What will you be doing?

Mission-Driven & Strategic Leadership

• Set and lead operational strategy aligned with FA’s mission and long-term vision
  Ensure all systems reflect our commitment to scholar success and equity
• Lead school readiness planning for openings, summer programming, and initiatives
  
  

Team Management & Organizational Culture

• Manage and coach a team responsible for transportation, food service, enrollment, and school-based logistics
• Build a high-trust, inclusive team culture grounded in FA’s core values
• Provide performance evaluations, growth plans, and development for operations staff
• Lead through change with emotional intelligence and clear communication
  
  

Operational Systems Design & Execution

• Oversee:
• Daily and event-based transportation
• New student enrollment and onboarding
• Food service quality and vendor accountability
• Main office operations, supplies, and logistics
• Align operational calendars with academic and compliance timelines
• Ensure systems are responsive, efficient, and service-oriented
  
  

Performance Measurement & Continuous Improvement

• Define and track KPIs for all operational functions
• Lead improvement cycles and audit processes using data
• Ensure operational compliance across state, federal, and internal standards
  
  

Cross-Functional & External Collaboration

• Serve as primary liaison to school Principals for operational needs
• Collaborate with Talent, Finance, Academics, and Development teams
• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and service delivery standards
  
  

Year One Priorities & Success Indicators

In the first year, we expect the Director of Operations to successfully:

• Establish and implement a transportation performance tracking system.
• Ensure at least 90% on-time arrival rate for daily student routes by end of Year 1.
• Develop and document a vendor accountability process for transportation services, including regular reporting and resolution protocols.
• Lead cross-team coordination to support new student enrollment and onboarding.
• Achieve 100% of targeted new scholar enrollment by September 1.
• Design and standardize an annual enrollment logistics plan that includes timelines, responsibilities, and contingency strategies.
• Implement systems to monitor and address food service quality and responsiveness.
• Launch a tracking mechanism for family/student feedback and vendor service issues by mid-year.
• Reduce recurring food service complaints by at least 25% in Year 1, with a long-term goal of 50% reduction over two years.
• Ensure all core operational systems meet internal expectations and compliance requirements.
• Align operational calendars and workflows with academic and compliance deadlines by Q3.
• Ensure 100% completion of operational compliance checklists across all campuses by year-end.
• Develop a shared-service model or playbook that standardizes key logistical processes across campuses.
• Build a high-performance, inclusive team culture with clear accountability systems.
• Conduct performance evaluations and development plans for all direct reports by June 30.
• Establish clear metrics and routines for team performance tracking and support.
• Create feedback loops with school leaders and families to improve operations.
• Achieve 90%+ satisfaction on end-of-year staff and family surveys related to operational services.
• Lead or support at least two cross-functional initiatives that demonstrate improved alignment between academics and operations.
  
  

What do we require from you?

• 7+ years of increasing leadership experience in operations, ideally in an educational, nonprofit, or mission-driven setting
• Proven success managing high-performing teams across multiple domains
• Deep experience with systems such as transportation, enrollment, food service, and school logistics
• Experience with compliance, budgeting, and vendor oversight
• Strong cross-functional leadership, project management, and data fluency
• High emotional intelligence, adaptability, and commitment to equity
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MBA, MPA, or Ed Management) preferred
• Experience in education or nonprofit environments preferred
• Hired candidates are responsible for the following: official transcripts, criminal clearance (fingerprinting), and medical clearance (TB/Mantoux testing).

 

Want to join our FAmily?

We are Foundation Academies: Trenton, New Jersey’s largest and highest-ranking K-12 free public charter school serving more than 1,000 scholars across three schools on two campuses. Our mission is to ensure that all of our students secure the academic knowledge and skills to prepare them for the nation’s finest colleges, and to instill in them the core values of caring, respect, responsibility, and honesty. We admit students by lottery, irrespective of gender, race, household income, or academic ability. Our team of experienced and mission-driven urban educators values growth mindsets, lifelong learners, and individuals who believe that every child deserves an excellent education. We hold ourselves, our students, and our city to high standards because that’s what our families deserve.  We are conveniently located a quick car ride to downtown Princeton, a 45-minute SEPTA ride to Philly’s Center City, and a hop on the NJ Transit Express to New York City.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: 

Foundation Academies is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We want to have the best available persons in every job. Foundation Academies prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, gender identity, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. All such discrimination is unlawful and prohibited by Foundation Academies. It is also our policy to comply with all applicable state and federal laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.