Chief Operating Officer

Actualizing education reform in a revitalizing city is hard, hard work, and we know that teaching in an urban school setting isn't for everyone. But, if you are someone who is truly called to serve children and youth; someone who sees this work not only as your job, but as a fundamental piece of who you ARE, we encourage you to read on.

We're looking for YOU if:

• You believe that EVERY child deserves access to a high-quality education and that children can and will learn if properly taught.
• You believe that alongside academics, a complete education includes nurturing your students as individuals so that they can become well-rounded, civic-minded, lifelong learners; the changemakers and leaders of the future.
• You embrace a growth-mindset and consistently reflecting on ways to improve, year after year.
• You are unabashedly and authentically YOU and proud of it, and genuinely committed to building meaningful relationships with students, families, and staff.
• You have a track record of measurable student success and achievement.
• You have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to relate well with students, staff, administration, parents, and the community.
• You possess an unrelenting work ethic.
• You are able to communicate ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• You have excellent time management and prioritization skills.
• You welcome the opportunity to be constantly challenged to grow, learn, and improve in a fast-paced environment.

Were you nodding "YES" as you read the list above? We invite you to apply!

We're looking for a dedicated and talented Chief Operating Officer to become part of our Foundation Academies Team.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) ensures that every school function—school operations, student recruitment and enrollment, meals, transportation, procurement, student information systems, compliance and reporting, safety, and new school openings—is performed with excellence so that student learning can flourish in all of our schools.

Reporting to the CEO, the COO will work cross-functionally as an organizational leader in collaboration with the other members of the senior leadership team and will own the Transportation, Facilities (Custodial and Maintenance), Technology, Food Service, and Student Enrollment Home Office departments. He or she will also oversee the heads of each of the aforementioned departments, coaching these team members toward their goals, coaching and developing them as professionals, and building overall team capacity moving forward as needed.

Here's what you'll be doing:

Major Roles and Responsibilities include but are not limited to

• Be the standard-bearer of the school's mission and vision, modeling expectations the organization has for students and staff.
• Conduct gap analysis on existing systems and develop a strategic vision that reflects this analysis – particularly with the growth in mind – and resulting recommendations that support long-term growth.
• Drive operational support for all schools through project management, workflow, and evaluation of current systems.
• Implement effective change management strategies to ensure stakeholder buy-in and cohesion in making measurable improvements to school operations.
• Ensure that operational priorities are well-defined and translated into rigorous, executable, and measurable plans.
• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, clarify and own the annual strategic planning cycle, including guiding progress review and reflection based on current year results, goal setting, and driving the scope and sequence of the budgeting process for input and approval from all necessary internal stakeholders.

Transportation & Food Services

• Plan for and maintain the infrastructure for field trip logistics for all campuses including contracts, transportation, and scheduling.
• Oversee the operations of transportation for all school activities, sports, and events.
• Ensure school-based staffing, systems, and vendors are in place for transportation and food programs with timely, reliable, safe, on-budget, and fully compliant delivery of service.

Facilities

• Ensure that all school facility improvements are planned for and executed with the highest possible efficiency in order to eliminate the negative impact on the organization's time, money, and people
• Manage the operations of facilities and maintain beautiful campuses.
• Plan for and oversee emergency response planning and the execution of regularly scheduled emergency drills
• Oversee legal, office administration, and facilities planning, including management of vendor relationships and inventory

Special Projects / Re-Opening Task Force

• Oversee special projects, such as the Re-Opening Taskforce, that measurably improve the operational efficiency and safety of our school sites due to extenuating circumstances or emergencies (i.e. COVID-19)

Technology

• Ensure that the technology team is equipped with the necessary technological tools and materials for all current and anticipated staff members.
• Identify and build technology infrastructure necessary to ensure high organizational efficiency and effectiveness as Foundation continues to grow in size and complexity – including internal knowledge management tools and systems, risk management systems, etc.

Student Enrollment

• Ensure the organization meets annual enrollment targets by backward planning from target enrollment numbers and dates

In exchange for your dedication, here are just some of the benefits and perks we offer:

• Competitive starting salary with 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
• Independent, conflict-free, financial wellness advising through Holberg Financial
• Optional short- or long-term disability benefits through Aflac
• Regular professional development and coaching
• Career advancement opportunities
• Smartphone and fully paid wireless plan through T-Mobile
• Windows-based work laptop computer
• Regular team-building activities and outings
• 10 sick days and 3 personal days that roll over annually
• Generous vacation time: 20 vacation days per year with 5 rolling over annually
• A rewarding career that positively impacts the lives of our amazing students

Qualification

• A minimum of 5+ years of progressively increasing management experience in the context of a growing organization or business, including at least three of the functional domains of the Chief of Operations role
• Significant team management experience, including supporting and coaching top performers and developing other managers, with at least 3+ years in one organization
• Demonstrated track record of ability to develop, implement and manage systems and processes to support a growing organization
• Demonstrated track record of solving complex challenges in a large organization
• Previous experience in education and/or nonprofit preferred
• Familiarity with school-based operational structures strongly preferred

Supporting/Additional Documents Requested

• Semifinalist candidates will be required to provide unofficial transcripts, evidence of certification/eligibility, and 3 professional references.
• Hired candidates are responsible for the following: official transcripts, criminal clearance (fingerprinting), and medical clearance (TB/Mantoux testing).

Compensation

Compensation is commensurate with experience in a similar role and includes a comprehensive benefits package. This role is an exempt, full time, 12 month, salaried position.

Key Working Relationships: Senior Leadership Team Members, Principals, School Business Administrator, Facilities Manager, Administrative Assistants, Teachers, Students, Parents, Volunteers, Major Vendors, and Board Members.

Want to join our FAmily?

We are Foundation Academies: Trenton, New Jersey's largest and highest-ranking K-12 free public charter school. 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 serve more than 1,000 of the city's K-12 population across four schools on two campuses. 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.