26-27 Director of School Operations

KIPP New Jersey is part of the nationally recognized “Knowledge Is Power Program” network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and in life. In 2002, KIPP New Jersey first opened its doors in Newark’s South Ward as a single class of 80 fifth graders and has since grown to educate over 7,738 students in grades K-12 across 15 schools in Newark and Camden. More than 90% of KIPP New Jersey students currently qualify for free or reduced meals. 

By 2025, KIPP New Jersey will have fifteen schools in Newark and seven in Camden providing a world-class education to over 11,600 students. To learn more, visit www.kippnj.org.

We anticipate beginning interviews in mid-to-late January 2026 and the full process concluding by March 2026, with July 2026 start dates. Applications received after January will be considered on a rolling, and as-needed basis.

Role Overview:

The Director of School Operations (DSO) is the leader of operations. The DSO manages and is responsible for all non-instructional systems and staff in the building. The DSO Fellowship prepares operations leaders to step into the Director of School Operations role. In addition to working with a current Director of School Operations, Fellows get support through weekly professional development and support from regional operations leads.

The core components of the role(s) are:

• People Management
  • Manage the school operations staff and all other school support workers on the operations team
  • Implement and execute a performance management system for direct reports
  • Conduct weekly individual meetings and team meetings
  • Provide professional development
• Finance and Purchasing
  • Support management of the school’s budget
  • Oversee purchasing for the school
• Academic Support Operations
  • Manage the operational logistics of all student test administration and other academic operational systems, in coordination with school leadership and/or teaching staff
• Student Recruitment / Enrollment
  • Ensure the school meets annual enrollment targets by backwards planning from target enrollment numbers and dates
  • Plan events and outreach to families
  • Establish partnerships with local businesses and organizations
• Technology
  • Oversee day-to-day operations of school-based technology projects by ensuring that school leaders, students, and staff have access to the technology they need
  • Plan any technology-related enhancements or additional purchases for the subsequent school year
• Facilities
  • Oversee the day-to-day operations of facilities and maintain a beautiful school
• Vendor Management
  • Procure and manage all vendors needed for the smooth and successful operation of the facility, including contractors, service providers, and maintenance workers
• Nutrition Program
  • Manage partnership with Food Service Management Company to ensure the meal program meets the school’s expectations
• Compliance
  • Ensure school-wide compliance with health and safety laws
  • Ensure onboarding requirements for new staff members are completed
  • Comply with any city and state education mandates
  • Comply with all federal and state workplace regulations
• School Operations
  • Ensure the day-to-day school operating systems run smoothly and efficiently, including front office systems, transportation, routines, transitions, arrival, dismissal, and attendance

Must Haves:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Suite, specifically Excel / Google Spreadsheets
• Database management and reporting
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong organization skills and meticulous attention to detail
• Superb customer service skills and love and support for families and children
• Demonstrated ability to work with a team on collaborative projects
• Ability to remain calm and solutions-oriented in high-stress situations
• Commitment to do whatever it takes to ensure our teachers and students have what they need to be successful
• Ability to proactively problem solve; anticipate challenges before they occur
• Ability to identify inefficiencies and generate creative solutions
• Ability to develop and manage multiple projects simultaneously and comfortably with ambiguity
• Ability to troubleshoot and manage high-stress situations with a calm and positive demeanor
• Ability to work evenings and weekends

Nice-to-Haves:

• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus
• Previous experience in a customer service-oriented role
• Previous experience in an educational or non-profit setting

Compensation & Benefits

KIPP Team & Family offers a market-competitive salary range starting at $97,000 for a DSO Fellow, and $107,000-$117,000 for a DSO and may increase based on experience. Salary ranges at KIPP are set based upon the role level and function using benchmarks in the education and non-profit sector and allow for growth within the role.  Individual compensation within this range will be set  based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to: relevant professional experience and qualifications; education, skills and training; and market conditions.  

In addition to a competitive salary, we a generous benefits package including, but not limited to, the following:  

• Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision 
• Optional participation in the KIPP NJ 403b retirement plan, including matching contributions
• A school-issued laptop
• Generous Time-Off including 3.5-4 school vacation weeks (depending on the year), allocated sick and personal days, and an extended summer break 
• Up to 12 weeks 100% parental leave for primary caregivers
• Employer paid life insurance
• Extensive optional ancillary benefits including, short term and long term disability and accident and hospital indemnity

Our organization is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, national origin, citizen status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our organization will make a reasonable accommodation to known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the organization. No questions on this application are asked for any unlawful purpose.

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