Director of Operations

Position Summary

The Director of Operations (DOO), reports directly to the Principal and receives coaching support from the Network Operations Team. The DOO plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth and efficient functioning of our school. As the operational leader, it requires a strategic and detail-oriented professional who will oversee various operational aspects, ranging from facilities management to administrative processes. The successful candidate will collaborate with diverse teams, including administration, faculty, and support staff, to create an optimal environment for learning and growth.

Essential Responsibilities

• Serves as a visible, present leader, building trust through consistent in-person engagement with staff, students, and families.
• Responds promptly to operational emergencies including outside of school hours to ensure student and staff safety.
• Maintains reliable availability during school hours to address time-sensitive operational needs as they arise.
• Models a calm, steady presence during high-pressure situations, setting the tone for how the team responds under stress.
• Coaches and develops operations staff through regular check-ins, real-time feedback, and structured growth conversations.
• Builds team capacity by delegating meaningfully, creating clear ownership, and preparing staff to take on greater responsibility over time
• Fosters a culture of accountability and professional growth, recognizing strong performance and addressing gaps directly and constructively.
• Supports onboarding and training for new operations staff, ensuring consistency in practices and expectations across campuses.
• Leads effective and efficient operational systems that are communicated and practiced consistently to best support teaching and learning.
• Creates all essential protocols and logistics for daily operations, including arrival, transitions, and dismissal routines, as well as school events and activities such as after-school and special programs, field trips, and assemblies.
• Supervises, assists, and cultivates the growth of all members within the school operations team including operations members, facilities members, and school safety.
• Supports overseeing school safety members including overseeing front desk protocols, SchoolPass management, coverage, and team development. 
• Collaborates with the network team and school-based team to develop, convey, and execute safety protocols such as fire, evacuation, and lockdown drills for the well-being of staff, students, and families. This responsibility extends to overseeing the visitor management system, SchoolPass.
• Capable of overseeing annual maintenance and capital repair projects for school facilities and collaborating with the network and school-based staff to ensure adherence to local, state, and federal regulations and inspections.
• Strengthens familial connections by proficiently communicating through ParentSquare, the school operations email, and various communication channels.
• Collaborates closely with the Communications Team to ensure seamless coordination of all student recruitment and enrollment activities, encompassing open houses, the annual lottery, waitlist management, orientation programs, and registration procedures.
• Manages the school's non-instructional budget and finances, ensuring alignment with network fiscal policies and procedures.
• Ensures adherence to the Federal School Meals Program by overseeing internal and external audits, procurement processes, and logistics.
• Oversees and manages student information platforms such as PowerSchool, ATS, and ParentSquare, which play a crucial role in facilitating school operations.
• Develops and implements emergency response plans and business continuity procedures.

Minimum Experience and Qualifications 

• Bachelor's Degree.
•  2 Years DOO Experience in a NYC Charter School.
• 2 years of experience managing and developing a team, including supervising direct reports and driving performance. 
• Possess NYC Food Protection Certification (must obtain within 90 days from hire).
• Possess NYC D-10 Certification (must obtain within 1 year of hire).
• Possess CPR, First Aid, AED Certification (must obtain within 90 days of hire).
• Use of student information systems to report, track and monitor enrollment and attendance and ensure compliance and funding (e.g. ATS, PowerSchool).
• Familiarity with purchasing, procuring and inventorying a broad range of materials and resources.
• Comfort utilizing technology to communicate, track and organize work and information (e.g. Google Suite, documents, spreadsheets).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Completion and clearance in pre-employment Fingerprinting and Reference check process.
• Legally eligible to work in the United States.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

• 3 Years DOO experience in a NYC Charter School.
• Possess NYC Food Protection Certification.
• Possess  NYC D-10 Certification. 
• Possess  CPR, First Aid, AED Certification. 
• Ability to speak, write and understand Spanish. 

Amber’s Expectations

• Ensure the school maintains 24/7 operational readiness by leading the response and coordination of emergencies, facilities concerns, staffing issues, and other critical situations that may impact school operations. 
• Regular attendance and punctuality. 
• Maintain a professional appearance. 
• Great time and task management; an ability to prioritize, manage multiple obligations and initiatives and follow through.
• Results-oriented environment; flexible, feedback driven, able to work autonomously as well as on a team and to take direction as needed.
•  Strong attention to detail; able to develop and maintain organizational systems.
• A deep sense of ownership and responsibility.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with multiple stakeholders.
• Organizational fit for Amber culture, that is, exhibit the Amber Traits of Achievement, Community, Responsibility, Honesty, and Respect.  

 Equipment: 

• Computer and other office equipment 

Work Environment/Physical Effort:

• Regularly required to sit, stand for long periods of time, walk, climb stairs, speak loudly and clearly, visually observe, hear, operate a computer, and other classroom, school and office equipment, reach with hands and arms, bend down, and must occasionally lift, move and/or support up to 20 pounds. Work is being performed in a traditional multi-floor school environment with limited to no elevator access.

Work Schedule

• 12-month work schedule
• Work schedule 7:15am - 3:15pm 

Compensation:

Amber Charter Schools strictly follow a salary schedule for each role to ensure our continued commitment towards pay equity. The expected salary range for this role is $90k - 95,481k  depending on verified relevant work experience, highest level of completed education, and required certifications and/or licenses for the role. This is an exempt position.