Director of Operations

Position Type: Full-Time 12-month Exempt
Reports To: Head of School
Supervises: Director of IT Director of Facilities Security Staff Food Services Manager & Kitchen Operations Front Desk Receptionists Nursing Staff

Start Date: April 1 2026

Why St. Michaels Prep

Located in the hills of southwest Austin Texas St. Michaels Catholic Preparatory School is an outstanding co-educational Independent Catholic school serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in Austin Texas. The Lower School is comprised of PreK 3-4th grades the Middle School houses grades 5-8 and the Upper School contains grades 9-12. We are distinguished by our Catholic tradition a welcoming and diverse community excellent academic programs and a variety of extracurricular activities. Additionally we are a technology-rich school. Thus teachers and staff are expected to demonstrate meaningful skill with technology and an enthusiasm for technological growth in order to create authentic learning experiences for their students. Teachers and staff at St. Michaels Prep further serve as role models that inspire students to think critically reflect explore and apply their faith concretely to their lives. We are one community with three divisions united in our commitment to put students first as we educate them in mind body and spirit.

Our values: Integrity Courage & Excellence

Our mission: St. Michaels Prep cultivates a transformative Independent school experience rooted in Catholic spirituality where we seek excellence in every pursuit and form virtuous leaders who positively impact the world.

We are anchored by the Catholic Social Teachings (CST) and promote inclusion by advocating for a society based on love and justice where all people have inherent dignity. We are passionate about cultivating a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment celebrating and supporting differences.

We employ and optimize practices that promote growth of critical thinking collaboration communication and creativity.

Position Overview

The Director of Operations serves as a key member of the schools leadership team overseeing the non-academic operational functions of the school to ensure a safe efficient clean and welcoming environment for students faculty staff and visitors. This leader is responsible for strategic planning and daily management of facilities security food services front desk operations information technology health services and departmental budgetsensuring that these areas work cohesively in support of the schools mission and educational program.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative detail-oriented professional with strong leadership skills and a strategic mindset capable of managing multiple complex functions while maintaining a service-oriented culture.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Serve as a member of the senior leadership team contributing to strategic planning and decision-making.
• Develop and implement operational strategies that align with the schools mission and long-term goals.
• Identify opportunities for improving operational efficiency safety and sustainability across campus systems.
• Partner with the Head of School and Director of Finance on annual budgeting capital planning and resource allocation for operational departments.
• Attend the Board Facilities Committee Meetings well-prepared to give clear updates and guidance to the Committee each month.
  
  

Financial Oversight & Budget Management

• Collaborate with each operational department (IT Facilities Security Food Services and Front Desk) to develop manage and monitor annual budgets ensuring alignment with school-wide financial goals and priorities.
• Track departmental spending provide regular financial reports and proactively address variances or overages.
• Work closely with the Business Office to ensure accurate forecasting timely procurement and adherence to purchasing policies.
• Support department heads in making data-informed financial decisions that optimize resources without compromising quality or safety.
  
  

Facilities Management

• Supervise the Director of Facilities to ensure that all buildings grounds and infrastructure are well-maintained safe and support the schools educational mission.
• Oversee long-range facilities planning renovations and construction projects ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Monitor preventative maintenance programs and emergency response protocols.
• Maintain or create excellent relationships with vendors to ensure prompt and outstanding service to the School.
  
  

Information Technology Oversight

• Supervise the Director of IT to ensure robust secure and forward-looking technology systems that support both academic and administrative needs.
• Collaborate on technology planning infrastructure improvements cybersecurity measures and integration of new tools to enhance teaching learning and operations.
• Remain abreast of current best practices in IT for PK-12 Independent Schools to ensure that our three divisions - Lower Middle and Upper Schools - have the correct equipment at hand as well as accurate cybersecurity procedures aligned with developmental ages and stages at each division.
  
  

Safety & Security

• Lead and coordinate the schools security program ensuring a safe environment for all students and staff.
• Oversee security personnel and emergency management procedures including drills threat assessment protocols and coordination with local agencies.
• Regularly evaluate campus safety policies and infrastructure recommending updates as needed.

Nursing Oversight

• Supervise and support the schools nursing staff (PK12) to ensure high standards of student health services professional practice and compassionate care aligned with the schools mission.
• Oversee compliance and policy management related to student health including state regulations immunization requirements medication administration and emergency medical procedures.
• Coordinate and maintain health and safety protocols in collaboration with leadership ensuring effective communication preparedness and response to health-related incidents or crises.
• Manage operational aspects of the health services program including staffing budgeting record-keeping training and partnerships with local health agencies.

Food Services & Front Desk Operations

• Supervise Food Services to ensure kitchens are clean well-maintained code-compliant and that the food service provided is in alignment with divisional needs.
• Oversee front desk and receptionist staff ensuring they provide excellent service and uphold the Schools welcoming culture.
• Establish clear procedures for communication visitor management and crisis response at reception points.
  
  

Compliance Policies and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with local state and federal regulations in all operational areas.
• Develop implement and monitor operational policies and procedures that support consistency safety and efficiency.
• Partner with legal and insurance advisors on risk management including incident reporting insurance claims and liability issues.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration Operations Management or related field.
• 7 years of progressive leadership experience in operations facilities or a related field.
• Proven ability to manage multiple departments and teams simultaneously.
• Demonstrated experience in budget creation oversight and financial management.
• Excellent organizational analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Strong financial acumen including budgeting and resource planning.
• Commitment to the mission and values of independent/private education.
  

Preferred:

• Experience working in a PK12 educational institution.
• Masters degree in a relevant field.
• Knowledge of relevant regulations including building codes OSHA and food safety.
• Familiarity with school technology infrastructure and security best practices.
  
  

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with a proactive solutions-oriented mindset.
• Effective communicator who builds strong relationships across all levels of the school community.
• Calm and decisive under pressure with excellent judgment.
• Collaborative leader who values teamwork and service.
• Detail-oriented with an eye to excellence and timely follow-through.

Application Requirements

Qualified applicants should submit an online employment application and attach a cover letter and resume. Please send questions to

St. Michaels Catholic Preparatory School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers equal employment opportunity to all applicants for employment and all employees without regard to race color religion sex gender national origin age physical or mental disability genetic information veteran status military service application for military service or any other status protected by applicable law.