2025-26 Dean of Operations

About Us:

Freedom Preparatory Academy Charter Schools (www.freedomprep.org) is a network of PreK-12 free public charter schools serving students in Memphis, TN, and Birmingham, AL. Our mission is to prepare all students in grades PreK-12 to excel in college and in life. Since our founding in 2009, we have grown from a class of 96 sixth grade students to now serving over 1950 students across multiple campuses. In 2024, we expanded into Birmingham, AL, starting with grades K-1, with plans to grow to a K-5 campus. 

At Freedom Prep, we are committed to transforming education for students of color across the South, ensuring they have access to high-quality educational opportunities that empower them to thrive. Over the past 15 years, our students have consistently exceeded both local and state averages in math and have surpassed local benchmarks in English Language Arts on state assessments. Our mission is guided by three core beliefs: every child deserves the right to a high-quality public education, character development is essential to student success, and exposure to diverse opportunities builds the confidence and skills needed to excel in college and in life.

At Freedom Prep, we cultivate a structured, academically rigorous environment that fosters excellence in core subjects, promotes advanced academic skills, and encourages students to embody the core values of Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Excellence, and Community.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Dean of Operations is responsible for planning, coordinating, and supervising the day-to-day logistical operations of the school, serves as an administrative advisor to the school leader, and relieves them of non-instructional administrative details. They are also expected to support the network's internal and external operations through the implementation and execution of strong, efficient systems and structures. The Dean of Operations will be based at a school site. This position reports to the Managing Director of Operations with significant support and training from the network operations team. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Finance, Procurement, and Vendor Management

• Manage all school-level vendor relationships including, but not limited to, facilities, food services, transportation, technology, etc.

• Coordinate with the central office finance and accounting staff on the purchase order/requisition process and timely payment of vendors

• Ensure adherence to all fiscal policies 

Facilities

• Manage school-site facility maintenance and custodial needs

• Scrutinize facility wear and tear and makes recommendations as to facility improvement (i.e., carpet replacement, exterior and interior paint, oversee the proper execution of each school’s preventative maintenance plan

• Track and conduct a regular inventory of all school assets and property

• Oversee the proper execution of seasonal building readiness checklists  

Human Resources

• Lead a high-quality, well-versed responsive operations team which will include:Office Manager, Operations Manager/Student Records Coordinator, Facilities Maintenance Worker(s), Safety Officer(s)

• On-board new staff on school policies and regulations as they apply to school site operations standard school site rules and procedures

• Computer operation and software programs used at the school site

• Proper use of office equipment

• Emergency procedures, etc.

Student Information Systems and Reporting

• Ensure the accuracy of Student Information Systems (SIS) and supervise the timely, accurate, and consistent maintenance of student data

• Work with school personnel to maintain the integrity and accuracy of student records, including maintenance and tracking of attendance, grades, enrollment, and retention. 

• Conduct regular student file audits to ensure accuracy and compliance with state standards

• Coordinate required data for state, federal, and grant program compliance reporting with central office staff School Logistics

• Manage all aspects of the free and reduced lunch program/process, including managing the entire application process

• Manage all aspects/records of emergency planning; oversee the proper execution of the school site’s emergency response plan

• Coordinate IT services with the central office team

• Coordinate logistics for all field lessons and non-instructional events 

• Sustain and monitor a safe, orderly, disciplined culture of high behavioral standards during arrival, dismissal, and after-school activities

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Operating Officer in support of the School Leadership and Network Operations teams.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in business, operational management, or similar field.

Master’s Degree preferred.

Will consider candidates with equivalent work experience who do not possess a degree. 5+ years of broad, varied, and increasingly responsible experience with budgeting, computer information systems, and organizational procedures.

• School-based experience is highly desirable but not required.

• Proven success running a high performing Operations team at a non-profit organization or in any school setting.

• Must Speak Fluent Spanish/English

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures, related to purchasing, operation, safety, computer networking programs, food service, budgeting, and accounting, electronic data processing techniques and methods, purchasing and inventory control systems

• Knowledge of principles, methods, techniques, and strategies of organization, management, supervision, and working in ambiguity

• Knowledge of law, policies, and regulations pertaining to youth and employee records

• Ability to prepare financial and statistical documents and reports, analyze student achievement data, draw logical conclusions, and prepare comprehensive reports

• Assist in the development/implementation of structures and systems to assist in building consistency within the school and throughout the network

• Promotes and maintains a positive and effective school climate by ensuring that all interactions with staff, students, parents, and the public at large are prompt, efficient, helpful, and friendly. 

• Recognizes problems and impediments and reports them promptly with options for solutions to the site Head of School and network operations team; promotes and assists with constructive resolutions. 

• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with all partners; attend and support school functions; seek out and participate in educational and professional development and motivate and encourage such developments for school-based operations employees.

• Embody and advocate the mission, vision, and strategic direction of Freedom Prep

• Demonstrated success working with students, families, and/or educators

• A motivational and energetic leader who is committed to providing top-notch operational support 

• Strong computer skills including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

REPORTS TO: Chief Operating Officer and Head of School

We are excited that you are inspired or called to learn more about our mission, values, and potential opportunities. We’d encourage you to explore a few additional resources about us, the recent investment for what’s possible, and why you should consider our community as a place for you to become a part of. We are one of the few networks that centers the whole person and their needs to thrive and support themselves and their families in the South.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION: At Freedom Prep, we prioritize transparency in everything we do. We believe that open communication fosters trust and collaboration. As part of this commitment, we make our salary scales available online for you to view, ensuring clarity and fairness in our compensation practices. You can view our compensation scales on our website. Please click HERE to be redirected.

Check out some of the unique and rare benefits here, including but not limited to: 

-Paying higher, scaffolded teacher salaries from Year 1 to retirement stage

-Zero dollar monthly premium options, including holistic options such as chiropractic or acupuncture care (TN ONLY)

-Focus on staff well-being and collective care through our Adult Social-Emotional Learning

-Support in obtaining licensure

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: Freedom Preparatory Academy is actively seeking to build a diverse and experienced team of educators. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. We are an equal opportunity employer.