Chief Operating Officer

Position: Chief Operating Officer

Reports to: Superintendent of Schools

Overview of Cambridge Public Schools:

Cambridge is a vibrant diverse city as well as a central hub of the nations innovative economy. Educating approximately 7000 students preK12 the Cambridge Public Schools consists of diverse and dedicated faculty cutting-edge technology and innovative programs. While each of the CPS school communities is unique they are joined in a shared vision of rigorous joyful and culturally responsive learning. Over 30% of CPS students speak a language other than English at home and more than 70 languages are represented across the district. Our schools proudly embrace this linguistic and cultural diversity while striving to establish high expectations for all students.

The Opportunity:

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as a senior executive leader and trusted advisor to the Superintendent responsible for ensuring that the districts operational systems services and resources enable safe equitable and high-quality learning environments across all CPS schools.

As a member of the Superintendents Cabinet the COO provides strategic oversight and direction for Facilities Transportation Safety & Security Enrollment and Food Services. The COO partners closely with school leaders city departments and community stakeholders to strengthen operational systems streamline processes and ensure that every CPS student and family experiences welcoming dependable and well-functioning schools.

This leader models equity-driven decision making strong communication and proactive problem-solvingensuring that operational practices advance CPSs mission and contribute to a sense of belonging safety and excellence districtwide.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Systems Alignment

• Develop and implement operational strategies policies and systems that strengthen districtwide efficiency safety and performance.
• Provide strategic leadership for major initiatives including capital improvement planning facilities modernization environmental safety and operational redesign.
• Evaluate trends operational data and performance metrics to guide decision-making and recommend improvements to the Superintendent and through the Superintendent to the School Committee.
• Serve as a systems thinker who integrates operations with academic financial and equity priorities across CPS.

Operational Oversight & Department Management

• Supervise and direct the daily operations of Facilities Transportation Safety Enrollment and Food Services departments.
• Set clear goals for performance and growth across all operational divisions; monitor progress and ensure accountability.
• Oversee contracts vendor relationships and service agreements to ensure high-quality cost-effective and equitable delivery of services to schools.
• Provide leadership guidance and technical assistance to Directors and Supervisors in all areas of district operations.

Talent Management Leadership Development & Collaboration

• Recruit hire supervise evaluate and support operational leaders and staff.
• Provide onboarding and training for school and district leaders in operational systems including facilities safety enrollment transportation and food services.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teamsespecially School Leadership Human Resources Finance and Equityto ensure coordinated support for schools.
• Serve on collective bargaining teams for operational units and other units as assigned.

Family Community and City Partnerships

• Serve as a liaison with city and state agencies related to capital improvement transportation environmental safety and facilities management.
• Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations to support district goals and enhance school operations.
• Ensure timely transparent communication with families staff and community members about operational issues affecting school experiences.

Safety Compliance & Risk Management

• Monitor federal state and local regulations and ensure district wide adherence to operational safety and compliance requirements.
• Provide timely recommendations to the Superintendent on district safety emergency preparedness crisis response and risk mitigation.
• Maintain high standards of operational integrity reliability and stewardship of district assets.

Organizational Support & Additional Duties

• Prepare reports presentations and updates for the Superintendent School Committee and public audiences.
• Participate in professional meetings conferences and institutes to remain current on trends in school operations and organizational management.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent.

Your Skill Set:

You are a mission-driven operations leader who:

• Understands the complexity of public school operations and can effectively manage multiple interconnected systems.
• Demonstrates strong analytical skills and uses data to diagnose issues evaluate solutions and drive continuous improvement.
• Communicates clearly and confidently with the ability to translate complex operational information for diverse audiences.
• Builds trust through transparency responsiveness collaboration and follow-through.
• Navigates pressure with calm flexibility and sound judgment.
• Leads with an equity lensensuring that operational decisions uphold fairness access and consistency for all students and families.
• Anticipates challenges identifies root causes and implements solutions that strengthen long-term organizational health.
• Values relationships and engages others in problem-solving and innovation.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration Public Administration School Business Administration or a related field required.
• An advanced degree (MBA MPA or Masters in School Business Administration) is preferred.
• At least five (5) years of successful leadership experience as a Director or Executive Director in a public school setting; ten (10) years preferred.
• Demonstrated success working in an urban setting with diverse racial ethnic linguistic and socio-economic communities.
• Strong knowledge of federal state and local regulations related to school operations facilities safety and transportation.
• Experience with construction planning capital projects and vendor contract management preferred.
• Expertise in fostering strong and collaborative relationships with public sector collective bargaining partners.

Terms of Employment: This is a full-time 12-month exempt position. Frequent evening and

weekend work is required to fulfill the roles responsibilities. As an

exempt employee this position is not eligible for overtime compensation

under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

The successful candidate will be available to begin as soon as possible in 2026. The Superintendents appointment of this position will be subject to a vote of approval by the Cambridge School Committee.

How to Join Our Team:

Apply online at . Please upload a resume and thoughtful cover letter outlining how your skills experience and commitment to equity align with the qualifications of the position and indicating how you learned about this opportunity.

At the Cambridge Public Schools we are committed to cultivating an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are embraced acknowledging that a team reflecting diversity of race color ancestry national origin religion age gender marital/domestic partner status sexual orientation gender identity disability status and veteran status allows us to serve our communities better. To that end we welcome and encourage applicants to bring their authentic selves when considering employment opportunities within our school district.

Required Experience:

Chief