KIPP Massachusetts Job Title: School Operations Manager

Reports to: KIPP MA School Leader

Who we are. KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) is a national network of free, open-enrollment, public schools that are successful in helping students from educationally underserved communities develop the knowledge, skills, character, and habits needed to succeed in and the competitive world beyond. There are currently 162 KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia serving 58,000 students. Today, KIPP Massachusetts serves over 1100 students in our four schools in Boston and Lynn and over 200 alumni on their journey to and through college with our KIPP Through College Program.

What we do & why it matters. KIPP builds a partnership among parents, students, and teachers that puts learning first. By providing outstanding educators, more time in school learning, and a strong culture of achievement, we are focused on helping all of our students climb the mountain to college. Nationally, more than 90 percent of KIPP middle school alumni have graduated high school, and more than 80 percent of KIPP alumni have gone on to college. By 2015, over 10,000 KIPPsters will be attending throughout the country.

Position Overview. The School Operations Manager is a versatile and team oriented individual with abilities and experience across operations, , finance, and academic administration. All five KIPP MA schools include a School Operations Manager and each serve as their ’s thought partner and “right-hand” for managing the school’s business operations, facility and academic administration. An essential function of the School Operations Manager is to enable KIPP Principals to focus on instructional – the teaching and learning that drives student outcomes. Operations Managers serve as a vital link between the school and the community, from helping parents and families navigate the school bus system to working with community leaders and organizations encouraging students to enter the enrollment lottery each year. The role requires an entrepreneurial approach towards meeting the needs of the Principal, the school’s staff and students, as well as upholding the region-wide standards and systems.

The School Operations Manager will report to the Principal with a focus towards ensuring the school maximizes teaching, learning, and college graduation outcomes – while also ensuring we build a sustainable organization. Additionally, the School Operations Manager will be part of the larger KIPP MA Operations Team and will benefit from the support and oversight of KIPP MA’s COO and other regional operations leaders.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

1. Operations Staff :  In coordination with School Leader and Regional Office, directly hire, manage, train, and develop school operations staff that may include office manager, school secretary, receptionist, custodians, cafeteria aides, operations assistants, bus coordinators, security, etc.  Monitor overall quality of operations performance and customer service at the school, analyzing service performance and customer satisfaction data to set improvement goals with School Leader and Regional Office.

2. Academic Administration  Manage major academic-related systems and activities as delegated by the School Leader, including student enrollment/lottery/intake, school scheduling, student data management (e.g. PowerSchool), new staff onboarding, reporting to internal and external stakeholders, etc. (In coordination with school secretary/office manager, data/analytics, and compliance staff.)

3. Finance & Accounting  Support annual development, management, and reporting of School’s annual budget in with School Leader and Regional Office Finance Team to ensure on-budget results.

Work Hard. Be Nice.

 Review and approve spending (check requests, purchase orders, reimbursements, etc.) up to agreed-upon thresholds; prepare larger expense requests for review by School Leader and/or Regional Office.  Ensure staff responsible for departments, programs, or projects with budgets have the financial data they need to make appropriate decisions.

4. Purchasing  Manage those purchasing, procurement, and inventory management responsibilities handled at the school- level (vs. by regional office purchasing, technology, or facilities staff), including vendor management and securing administrative supplies, instructional materials, furniture, and equipment.

5. Compliance  Understand and ensure school is aligned with all federal, state, and local legal and compliance requirements and regulations, with support from regional office compliance specialist staff.

6. Data Management  With support and resources from the Regional Director of Student Growth and Achievement, ensure school- level data on students, families, staff, courses, etc. is entered into PowerSchools and other systems accurately and on-time for use for teaching/learning and compliance reporting, delegating to Officer Manager or other staff as appropriate.

7. Facilities & Maintenance  Directly provide on-site facilities and maintenance management or coordinate with facilities staff to: o Proactively ensure school building is clean, well-maintained, safe, secure, and meeting educational needs. Walk the building and campus daily to identify facility and maintenance issues. o Respond to facilities, maintenance, and equipment requests from staff, assign to custodial staff and vendors, and resolve according to region-wide service standards.

8. Transportation & Food Services  Establish and maintain strong, accountable relationships with transportation and food service partners to ensure timely, reliable, safe, on-budget, and fully compliant delivery of services and accurate reporting and ; and/or coordinate with centralized transportation and food service staff.

9. Technology  Track and monitor technology needs of school-based staff and report issues, challenges, and opportunities to regional office Technology Team.  Supplement user support primarily provided by regional and school-based technology services staff.

10. Other:  Participate in and contribute to KIPP’s national network of operations staff, accessing and sharing support and resources from peers in other regions and technology staff at national KIPP Foundation.  Other duties or projects as assigned by the School Leader or Regional Office Operations Team.

QUALIFICATIONS: Skills & Experience:  Bachelor’s Degree required, (advanced degree in business, management, education, , or related field a plus)  Prior direct K-12 teaching or education program experience ideal.  At least 3 years professional work experience, ideally in a charter school or other K-12 education organization, or transferable experience from another private or public sector organization.  At least 1 year direct experience successfully managing and developing staff.  Demonstrated success providing superior customer service.

Work Hard. Be Nice.

 Strong communication, writing, and presentation skills; ability to translate technical operations information understandably and concisely for customers.  Organized planner and project manager with proven ability to multi-task, take initiative, prioritize effectively, and deliver for multiple stakeholders on deliverables and deadlines.  Quantitative skills and experience with accounting, budgets, and financial management.  At least intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook required.  Skill in and/or ability to learn new information systems, including PowerSchools (student data system), MIP (accounting system), and operations customer service ticket systems.

Traits & Qualities:  Relentless determination to do whatever it takes to help our students succeed.  Orientation to make decisions in the best interests of students and the sustainability of KIPPMA to fulfill its mission.  Passion and deep alignment with KIPPMA mission, values, culture, and team.  Deep customer service ethic.  Goal-driven, accountable, and reliable; Strong attention to detail and follow through.  Humility, self-awareness, integrity, enthusiasm, persistence, flexibility, entrepreneurial, constant learner.  Proactive and creative problem-solver; ability to identify, analyze, and recommend solutions to problems.  Strong interpersonal skills and track record of collaborating with diverse stakeholders; capacity to work well with staff, students, families, community members, and outside vendors.  Enthusiasm and sense of humor.

To apply: Internal candidates: If you are currently a member of the KIPP MA team, please apply by emailing your resume and answers to the questions below to Laura Malley at [email protected]. In 3-4 paragraphs, please answer the following questions: o What strengths do you bring to this role? o In what ways do you believe the KIPP Massachusetts Operation Team needs to grow in order to allow our schools to reach their long term student outcomes? o How will your strengths help our us to make this necessary growth?

If you currently work for KIPP:MA, please express your interest in this role to your School Leader or Manager before applying.

External candidates: If you do not currently work for the KIPP:MA team, please visit our job board at http://kippcareers.force.com/jobboard?site=Massachusetts and complete an online application.

Compensation Compensation is commensurate with experience and includes a comprehensive benefits package. This role is an exempt, full time, 12 month, salaried position. KIPP MA is an employment at-will organization. Work schedule will be determined by the School Leader. KIPP Massachusetts, KIPP Lynn, and KIPP Academy Boston are equal opportunity employers. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, gender identity, religion, creed, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, ancestry, special need, proficiency in the English language, or a foreign language. We are committed to hiring a diverse and multicultural staff and encourage applications from traditionally under-represented backgrounds.

Work Hard. Be Nice.