Director of Operations (2024-2025)

An Invitation to Apply for the Position of

Director of Operations

Bronx, NY

About Public Prep

Public Prep is an award-winning network of charter schools across Manhattan and the Bronx and the nation’s first non-profit tuition-free charter school network that develops exceptional Pre-K, and single-gender elementary and middle public schools. We pursue continuous excellence through our dedication to an inclusive community focused on scholar, family, and staff collaboration. Our scholars are resilient and empathetic, guided to realize their power and promise through our four core values of scholarship, excellence, community, and integrity. 

Our teaching model is grounded in an anti-racist framework, and designed to incorporate a culturally responsive approach that is informed by data to cultivate an environment that empowers scholars to become independent learners. At Public Prep we believe race, income level, and zip code should not define your destiny, systemic and institutional racism must be disrupted, and all scholars should be empowered and ready to enter high school with voice, choice, opportunity and independence.

For more information about Public Prep, please visit their website.

What Sets Us Apart

In 2020, all of our campuses were recognized by NYS as Recognition Schools for their high academic achievement and strong progress. Board of Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa described them as “exemplary public schools that demonstrate that all students can achieve at high levels with the right supports and resources.”  This honor has been bestowed upon the top 15% of schools in New York State. 

Public Prep offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, qualifications, internal equity, and budgeted amount for the role. The salary for this position is $105,000. We offer a comprehensive benefits package. It includes Oxford Medical, United Dental/Vision, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account, generous paid time off, commuter benefits, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) package with a 5% employer match.

Public Preparatory Network is an Equal Opportunity employer. Public Preparatory Network is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.

Primary Function & Position Overview

The Director of Operations (DOO) will report into the Managing Director of Operations at the Public Prep Home Office with a dotted line of supervision from their school-based Principal. With regard to their school-based duties, the DOO will manage the school’s operations team, including an Assistant Director of Operations, Operations Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, and any School Aides or additional operational full-time or part-time staff and will oversee daily systems at the school in support of the vision of the Principal. Among other duties listed below, they will be a member of the school’s leadership team and collaborate with Directors of Operations at other Public Prep Academies. With regard to theirPublic Prep duties, they will ensure that the school meets or exceeds its goals regarding: (1) state, federal and charter authorizer compliance; (2) general fiscal accountability (i.e. enrollment and support with budgeting and cross-network purchases); and (3) technology infrastructure support.

The Director of Operations will oversee the operations and finance at the school and act as the primary operations school interface with the Public Prep.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist Principal and Public Prep’s Managing Director of Operations and Managing Director of Finance in creating and managing the school’s budget and finances
• Ensure invoices received by the school are submitted to Accounts Payable and correctly classified
• Maintain accurate records of all financial transactions (deposits, student payments, emergency checks, etc.)
• Participate in annual financial audit process as needed (i.e., manage financial documentation/filing process to ensure efficient year-end audit
• Ensure adherence to network’s fiscal policies and procedures
• Oversee school-based purchasing by placing orders with vendors, tracking deliveries, and maintaining inventory

• Establish and reinforce clearly-defined school-wide systems and procedures that enable a structured school environment, including procedures for arrival and dismissal, recess and lunch, and hallway transitions between classes, and to the main office and restroom facilities
• Work in conjunction with the Principal and Academic Director to develop school schedules that maximize academics, facilities and student health and safety
• Serve on the school leadership team
• Supervise the operations team and help address general office and administrative needs
• Ensure the smooth operation of the main office, including mailings, attendance reporting, machine maintenance, etc.
• Regularly coach, develop, and review operations staff
• Participate in regularly scheduled cross-network operations leadership team (“OLT”) meetings, led by Public Prep Managing Director of Operations, to ensure the school’s successful implementation of best practices, and shared, mission-aligned professional development

• Serve as primary liaison with co-located schools/organizations to coordinate scheduling of shared spaces, building permits, and scheduling of required emergency protocols.
• Prepare school for new school year, including but not limited to, working with Public Prep to inventory and procure furniture and equipment, curriculum, and classroom supplies
• Ensure student food services are ready for start of school
• Plan and coordinate logistics for school events and activities, including, but not limited to, testing, advocacy, concerts, and recruitment tours and information sessions
• Manage and oversee the school’s facilities and physical condition
• Participate in building meetings pertaining to facilities and safety; work with the Principal to implement changes as needed

• Oversee the maintenance and tracking of technology equipment
• Implement staff technology training in conjunction with Public Prep
• Ensure student information systems (internal & external) are kept up to date
• Act as first level of response for technology and troubleshooting

• Provide  school-level data to Public Prep with regard to all data analysis and reporting to the school’s authorizers, NYC Department of Education, New York State Education Department, federal government, and private funders
• With the assistance of Public Prep Human Resources and Operations Teams, ensure school-wide compliance with health and safety laws, teacher certification and fingerprinting, city and state education mandates, and all federal and state workplace regulations
• Ensure school-wide understanding and application of the Employee Handbook and network-wide employment policies
• Ensure school-wide understanding and application of the Financial Policies and Procedures and network-wide fiscal policies

• Review and approve per session time sheets on scheduled payroll processing days
• Process and approve bi-weekly payroll timesheets for all full and part time school based employees
• Monitor and track staff attendance, providing reports to the principal and distributing disciplinary letters, as needed
• Provide on-site HR support to school personnel, as needed, to support Public Prep’s Chief Talent Officer

• Ensure the school meets its annual student enrollment targets
• Help coordinate and act as a point person in hosting visitors for school tours

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Master’s degree in relevant field/MBA, preferred
• Minimum 4 years of related business/operations experience 
• At least 2 years of demonstrated success managing a small team or multiple large projects 
• Strong project management skills, ability to handle multiple priorities, and must be detail-oriented High level of comfort with financial oversight and budgetary tracking 
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills 
• Ability to think and act strategically Team player with strong interpersonal skills 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; familiarity with financial management/accounting software, a plus
• Maturity, humility, strong work ethic, and “can-do” attitude
• Personable and has ability to interact with various stakeholders

Public Preparatory Network is an Equal Opportunity employer. Public Preparatory Network is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.

This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position.  It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee.

Please be sure to attach a resume and a cover letter including examples of how you have demonstrated continuous learning and specific ways you have used data to drive decisions.