Job description
KIPP Memphis Public Schools is part of KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program), a national network of tuition-free, open-enrollment, public schools that are successful in helping students from educationally underserved communities develop the knowledge, skills, character, and habits needed to succeed in college and the competitive world beyond. There are currently 270 KIPP schools across the nation serving nearly 100,000 students. Founded in 2002, KIPP Memphis serves over 1,200 K-12 students in our five North Memphis schools and almost 900 alumni on their journeys to-and-through college with our KIPP Forward Program.
As a leader in providing high quality education for students who need us most, the KIPP Memphis team and family serves as a model of excellence and collaborates with other community organizations to raise the overall quality of education in Memphis. The mission of KIPP Memphis is to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose - college, career, and beyond - so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.
To build more high performing schools, we need senior operations leaders to commit themselves to the most urgent and exciting work of our time!
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as a vitally important leader in our senior leadership team and helps to drive the success of our schools. As COO, you will oversee school and regional operations in the Region in conjunction with your Managing Director of Operations (MDO). The COO is responsible for ensuring the schools operate at the highest level, with systems in place that allow teachers and Principals to focus on instruction and academic achievement. The COO ensures excellent school operations through direct management of a “portfolio” of Directors of School Operations (DoSOs) who lead all non-instructional aspects of the school.
We are seeking an experienced, strategic operational leader who will set a high bar for region-wide operations, regional compliance, technology, and school operations. The ideal candidate will achieve a vision of excellence by managing and supporting a team of DoSOs. The COO will build their team's capacity to run high-functioning, operationally excellent schools; have a track record in securing and maintaining high-value partnerships; will ensure operational excellence and compliance across the region; and understand technology and how it contributes to delivering on business strategy.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Systems Development, Implementation, and Management
- Identifies, develops, and implements operational system improvements that will support highly efficient and effective operational performance both improving upon the current state of operations and moving good systems to great ones
- In partnership with the Executive Team, oversees the creation and management of standardized operating procedures for school-based operations (facilities, facilities maintenance, safety, supplies, food services, and transportation) in order to maximize the organization’s economy of scale and avoid duplicative efforts
- Systematizes basic operating procedures across campuses to take advantage of the very best practices of operations and leverage economies of scale
- Secures insurance for the organization and serves as the lead for claims and related issues
- Leads efforts and collaborates with teams across the Region to ensure state and federal reporting deadlines are met and submitted information is accurate
- Manage key strategic projects as assigned by the CEO
Regional Management and Leadership
- Serve as an outstanding role model, leader and manager, investing deeply in supporting and developing team members and growing their capacity to learn, contribute and engage in the work of the team and organization
- Steward the process for defining and adapting service levels for schools, ensuring that the Regional Office is always accountable to high standards and never bureaucratic
- Ensure performance management and substantial professional development opportunities for all campus and central operations staff
- Participate as a key member of the Executive Leadership team to set organizational strategy
- Spearhead the constant improvement of support processes and communication with schools
- Serve as point of contact for Principals to address any operational needs
- Partner with regional school support team on regional initiatives and systems (e.g. enrollment, child nutrition, government reporting, etc.)
- Represent KIPP Memphis as needed to resolve operational issues with external parties, including legal counsel, school district, state, etc., as well as liaising with board of directors
Strategic Planning
- Responsible for translating KIPP Memphis’ strategic vision into the development of short-term and long-term operational plans and turning those plans into systematized processes and procedures
- Translate strategy into a clear and shared vision for excellent operations and partner with leaders on their team to translate that vision into actionable plans for delivering and optimizing all operations-related priorities
- Define metrics to monitor and predict performance of departments across the organization and develop systems to track performance metrics and make decisions
- Support the acquisition and planning for new facilities and sizeable equipment and technology, determining cost-eective solutions related to sustainability and expansion.
- Lead and execute all capital improvement plans
- Promotes cross-functional collaboration to align eorts and resources; and sets realistic, yet, aggressive timeframes for achieving organizational goals for assigned departments
School Management
- Ensure DoSOs lead outstanding school operations (e.g., daily school systems, facilities, financial management, food & transportation, enrollment management, etc.)
- Hold DoSOs accountable to performance metrics (e.g., Operations Dashboard, Operations Inspections, Evaluations), and support them in improving performance and meeting goals
- Build, implement, and monitor cross-regional operations initiatives (e.g. PD session facilitation and follow-up)
- Support hiring, on-boarding, management, and evaluation of all operations staff, including DoSOs and school-based operations team members
Technology
- Lead and oversee technology vendors in installing and maintaining high-quality technology infrastructure, integrating technology into instruction and operations, and providing end-user technical support
- Oversee the management of desktop support for all schools and campuses
- In collaboration with technology vendors, prepare plan to scale technology infrastructure and support for growth
Health and Safety
- Oversee the management of health service programs, trainings, and compliance
- Ensure all locations are safe and secure for students and staff
Facilities and Security
- Support the Dean(s) of School Operations in leading facilities staff and vendors in routine maintenance of sites, user support, as well as planning and implementing a comprehensive capital improvement program
- With other KIPP Memphis staff, represent KIPP Memphis as needed to landlords of leased properties in negotiating leases and resolving operational matters – including the acquisition of school district facilities and the resolution of any related issues
- Responsible for contract management related to facilities, janitorial services, and building maintenance
School Nutrition
- Effectively manage food service budget and manage relationship with food service vendors
- Ensure all students and staff have healthy meals served in a timely manner
- Ensure compliance with the Free and Reduced Lunch Program
- Ensure compliance with state and federal nutrition mandates
Student Transportation
- Manage and maintain student transportation contract
- Ensure all student bus riders arrive to school safe and in a timely manner
Vendor Management
- Manage and maintain strong vendor relationships
- Manage contracts and procurement
- Manage the Request for Proposals (RFP) process for relevant projects
All other duties as assigned
Work Experience
- 10+ years of progressively, increasing operational management experience in school operations management, including 5+ years of experience directly managing teams for a large mission-driven organization
- Experience managing a team to strong outcomes;
Education
- Bachelor’s degree is required, and a graduate degree in business or operations is highly preferred
Key Skills and Abilities
- Familiarity with school-based operational structures strongly preferred
- Deep entrepreneurialism and flexibility, with an ability to maneuver effectively in the face of uncertainty and transition and to continuously adapt priorities while maintaining focus on goals
- Relentless results-orientation and unwavering determination to close the achievement gap and to help students and teachers succeed
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
- Keen analytical and problem solving skills
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with a demonstrated ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, lead projects, meet multiple concurrent deadlines and organize time and priorities
- Ability to collaborate with a wide range of constituents and to build partnerships around common interests and goals
- Robust knowledge of public education, education reform initiatives and the charter school movement
- Sense of humor and strong interpersonal skills that contribute to a collegial working environment
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills and ability to work towards a common vision with various partners (e.g. principals, staff, executive leaders, students, families);
- Excellent organization, time management, and follow-up skills; ability to demonstrate an appropriate sense of urgency.
Additional Information
Salary for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience, degree attainment, and credentials. A competitive benefits package will also be offered.
ADA Requirements
- Prolonged periods standing and actively observing teachers
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times
- Must be able to facilitate classroom transitions by walking through hallways and up and down stairs with students
KIPP Memphis is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school. KIPP Memphis does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
All application information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
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