Director of School Operations (Potential Start Date Late JuneJuly 1, 2026)

Who We Are

New School San Francisco is a public school currently serving over 400 TK through 8th grade students from all corners of the city and from all backgrounds. We believe in a hands on minds on approach to learning that harnesses each students curiosity and encourages learners to construct their own meaning and knowledge through inquiry-based learning. We practice equity in all that we do ensuring every child is able to access and receive an individualized education that builds off their unique strengths skills and passions. Social justice is also a through line in all we do; we help learners develop an understanding of how to make our community better. Taken all together this approach fosters a deep love of learning in students and prepares them with the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills necessary to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

We are committed to breaking down systemic structures which contribute to deep inequities in education. Our goal is to prioritize the success and wellbeing of our Black and brown students English Language Learners (ELLs) and students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) by dismantling white supremacy. We continuously question our culture climate and curriculum to ensure all members of our community are committed to being racially literate and ultimately anti-racist change makers. We value hard work and we also value self care. The two are not mutually exclusive.

The DoSO plays a key role in advancing this mission ensuring that operational systems staff and programs are aligned with New School San Franciscos Pro-Black anti-racist vision and that all school operations reflect the schools commitment to equity justice and excellence.

OVERVIEW

The Director of School Operations (DoSO) is a strategic and execution-focused leader required to be on-site

daily and punctual to ensure that all school operations run smoothly efficiently and in full alignment with

the schools mission and standards. The DoSO owns the systems people and processes that ensure a safe

compliant and high-functioning school environment where students can learn and staff can excel.

This role requires a leader who can think beyond day-to-day operations to anticipate needs solve problems

proactively and make decisions that consider the full impact across the school DoSO sets a

high bar for operational excellence professionalism and accountability and serves as a key member of the

School Leadership Team. This role reports directly to the COO.

We recognize that candidates from historically underrepresented groups do not always apply for

leadership positions. We strongly encourage all such candidates to apply and we are committed to

reviewing all perspectives and experiences as part of an inclusive and equitable hiring process.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree required; Masters degree in business education public administration or a related field strongly preferred
• Deep belief in the mission vision and values of the organization including a demonstrated commitment to building and sustaining a Pro-Black anti-racist organizational culture
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across lines of difference including race culture language and identity and to build strong trust-based relationships with diverse staff students and families
• 57 years of relevant experience; 3 years in a leadership role overseeing operations systems or teams
• Prior experience serving on a leadership team and partnering cross-functionally across departments
• Demonstrated ability to operate at both a strategic and executional level
• Proven ability to lead teams to strong measurable outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage systems that drive efficiency accountability and consistency
• Strong decision-making skills with the ability to assess risk ensure compliance and consider cross-functional impact
• Demonstrated experience ensuring organizational compliance and maintaining accurate audit-ready systems and records
• High level of professionalism reliability and personal accountability including strong time management consistent daily on-site presence and punctuality required
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated high emotional intelligence including the ability to build strong relationships navigate conflict strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across multiple groups including staff families and school leadership
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills across diverse stakeholders
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced evolving environment while maintaining clarity and focus
• Experience managing complex projects from start to finish
• Experience in a school setting strongly preferred
• Spanish bilingual strongly preferred

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership & Ownership

• Own the vision strategy and execution of all school-based operations functions
• Define implement and continuously improve systems that drive efficiency clarity and consistency across the school
• Anticipate operational needs identify risks and proactively implement solutions
• Ensure all operational decisions align with school-wide priorities compliance requirements and organizational values
• Perform other duties as assigned by the COO to support the mission vision and operational success of the school

School Operations & Project Management

• Plan coordinate/support and execute complex operational projects across the school including:
  • Facilities upgrades and maintenance initiatives
  • Food service improvements and vendor management
  • Technology implementations and student systems initiatives
  • Space planning preparation for the opening of the school year and end-of-year closeout processes
  • Testing coordination school-wide events orientations and community events

• Lead projects from concept through completion ensuring timelines budgets and quality standards are met
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive projects that improve efficiency compliance and student and staff experience
• Anticipate risks manage dependencies and implement solutions proactively to prevent operational or compliance issues
• Management of the school operations budget including oversight of spending vendor contracts and participation in annual budget planning
• Establish systems for tracking progress measuring impact and reporting outcomes to leadership

Stakeholder Experience & Communication

• Own systems that ensure clear timely and accessible communication with families staff and visitors
• Foster strong relationships with families through responsive solutions-oriented service
• Partner with school leadership to execute high-quality consistent school-wide communications

Compliance & Student Systems

• Ensure full compliance with all school district state and regulatory requirements including health safety and nutrition standards
• Ensure student registration enrollment and attendance systems are accurate efficient and aligned with regulatory and school standards
• Drive strategies to improve attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism
• Maintain accurate audit-ready records for all operational areas including facilities food services and student systems
• Anticipate risks and proactively implement solutions that prevent compliance issues or operational breakdowns

Staff & Team Leadership

• Lead manage and develop the some members of the school operations team
• Set clear expectations hold team members accountable and build a strong performance culture
• Hire coach and retain high-performing team members
• Lead team planning goal setting and professional development

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as a key member of the School Wide Leadership Team
• Partner closely with instructional and program leaders to ensure operational systems support academic and culture and climate success
• Make decisions with a full understanding of cross-functional impact avoiding siloed approaches
• Collaborate on annual budget planning and financial decision making for operational areas
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the COO and school leadership

School Culture & Environment

• Ensure the physical environment reflects the schools values culture and commitment to students
• Support the planning and execution of school events and community experiences
• Contribute to a welcoming organized and joyful school environment
• Oversee school-wide duties management and expectation setting

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE IN THE FIRST 90 DAYS

• Successfully plan organize and execute the operational launch of the new school year ensuring all systems staff and processes are fully prepared
• Build strong relationships with staff families and leadership to create trust and alignment for the year ahead
• Stabilize operational systems including attendance student registration facilities technology food service and vendor management to ensure smooth day-to-day operations
• Ensure all compliance safety and health protocols are fully implemented and operational
• Establish clear expectations priorities and accountability structures for the operations team
• Demonstrate consistent on-site leadership reliability and professionalism including presence at key events orientation sessions and start-of-year activities

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE BY 6 MONTHS

• Operational systems; including facilities technology attendance and vendor management are reliable efficient and fully functional
• Compliance health and safety systems are fully implemented and monitored
• Attendance goals show measurable improvement
• School operations team is performing at a high level and held accountable for outcomes
• Leadership can rely on the DoSO to anticipate needs solve problems proactively and manage complex projects

COMPENSATION

• Salary: $115000 $125000 annually (California pay transparency compliant)
• Comprehensive health dental and vision benefits
• Retirement plan participation
• Professional development opportunities
• Paid time off and school holidays

CONTACT

Contact emailprotected with any questions and/or to submit a cover letter and resume for consideration.