Director of Operations

About the Role

The Director of Operations (DOO) is a network-based operational leader responsible for ensuring that Ascend schools are safe, well-run, compliant, and ready to support excellent teaching and learning. Reporting to the Senior Director of Operations and partnering closely with Principals, the Director of Operations leads day-to-day school operations strategy, manages and develops the Assistant Principals of Operations (APOs) and/or operational staff, and serves as a key connector between the school and network teams.

The Director of Operations translates network expectations into strong school-based systems, identifies operational challenges before they become barriers to teaching and learning, and ensures that staff, students, and families experience responsive, high-quality service. This role balances hands-on execution with continuous improvement and uses operational data to strengthen school performance.

Key Responsibilities

The Director of Operations is responsible for executing excellent school operations and building systems that allow school leaders and educators to focus on students. The Director of Operations will:

School Operations & Readiness

Partner with Principals and APOs to ensure all dimensions of school operations are prepared for the start of the school year and remain strong throughout the year, including enrollment, transportation, facilities, furniture, supplies, food service, and student-facing systems.
Monitor day-to-day school operations and provide hands-on support to resolve issues quickly and effectively.
Conduct regular operational readiness checks and ensure school-based systems, procedures, and documentation are implemented consistently.
Coordinate with network operations teams and escalate complex issues or risks to the Senior Director of Operations as appropriate.

Operational Excellence & Data

Monitor key operational metrics and use data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
Support the implementation of network-wide operational initiatives, systems, and processes at the school level.
Maintain accurate operational records and ensure that required audits, reviews, and compliance activities are completed on time.
Identify operational bottlenecks and develop practical solutions that improve efficiency, consistency, and service.

People Leadership & Development

Coach, support, and develop APOs and/or school-based operational staff, establishing clear expectations and accountability for high-quality execution.
Partner with the Principal and Senior Director of Operations to identify performance priorities, provide feedback, and support staff development.
Support onboarding and training for new operational staff and reinforce best practices throughout the school year.
Build a collaborative, solutions-oriented operations team that demonstrates professionalism, responsiveness, and a strong customer-service mindset.

School Support & Customer Service

Create and maintain a culture of exceptional customer service across school operations, including reception, family-facing experiences, food service, nursing, facilities, and other operational functions.
Serve as a reliable point of contact for school staff on operational questions and connect staff to the appropriate network resource when additional expertise is needed.
Partner with Finance, Technology, Facilities, Human Resources, Academics, and other network teams to ensure school needs are addressed effectively.
Communicate operational priorities, changes, and expectations clearly to school leaders and staff.

Compliance, Risk & Continuous Improvement

Ensure school operations comply with Ascend policies, applicable regulations, and network expectations.
Proactively identify operational and regulatory risks and partner with school and network leaders to address them.
Lead or support school-based projects that improve operational systems, service delivery, and organizational effectiveness.
Contribute to network efforts to standardize and scale effective operational practices across schools.

Staff and Reporting Relationships

The Director of Operations reports to the Senior Director of Operations and works in close partnership with the school Principals and APOs. The Director of Operations may directly manage and/or support the development of Assistant Principals of Operations and other school-based operational staff, depending on the school’s organizational structure.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in Business Administration, Education Leadership, Public Administration, or a related field preferred.
5–8 years of professional experience, including meaningful experience leading school, operations, or multi-functional teams.
Experience managing complex operational systems and executing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Experience in K–12 education, charter schools, public schools, or mission-driven organizations strongly preferred.
Experience as a high-performing school Director of Operations, Assistant Principal of Operations, or comparable operations leader preferred.
Strong coaching, relationship-building, communication, and people-management skills.
Strong organizational, project management, problem-solving, and attention-to-detail skills.
Ability to use data to monitor performance, identify gaps, and drive improvement.
A customer-service orientation, solutions mindset, and commitment to high-quality execution.
Ability to work collaboratively across school and network teams and to influence others toward shared goals.
Maturity, humility, strong work ethic, flexibility, and a roll-up-my-sleeves approach to problem-solving.
Passion and commitment to urban education and alignment with the educational philosophy and core beliefs of Ascend Learning.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range: $95,000–$150,000, determined using Ascend’s equitable compensation scale based on experience and education.

Location & Work Arrangement

Based in our Brooklyn, NY office

In-person work expectations include network office time, stakeholder meetings, school visits, special events, and other role-specific responsibilities as determined by management.

This full-time, exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

Medical, dental, and vision insurance
403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
Generous paid time off and additional employee benefits