Prospect Schools · 4 weeks ago
Founding Director of School Operations - Windsor Terrace
Brooklyn, NY
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
$117K/yr - $129K/yr
5+ years expProspect Schools is a high-performing K–12 college preparatory charter network serving over 2,700 students in Brooklyn. They are seeking a strategic and entrepreneurial Founding Director of School Operations to design and lead the non-instructional systems of a new K-8 campus, ensuring operational excellence and compliance while fostering an inclusive school environment.
Education
Responsibilities
Serve as a core member of the SMT, advising on school-wide decisions and aligning operations to instructional and cultural priorities
Analyze operational and financial data to recommend strategic adjustments that sustain the school’s financial health
Collaborate with the Principal, SDSO, the MD of Schools, and the Teaching & Learning team to foster a safe, equitable, and student-centered environment
Lead school-based enrollment and recruitment efforts, including tours, open houses, and onboarding new families to ensure a welcoming and inclusive experience
Partner with the Founding Principal and network leaders to define founding operational priorities aligned to school design and instructional vision
Represent operations in school design decisions (schedules, daily routines, student flow, staffing models)
Lead operational planning for community engagement, recruitment events, and founding family onboarding
Partner with the Principal and Network Finance Team to build, monitor, and adjust the school budget; recommend corrective actions to ensure reserves and targets are met
Track revenue and expenses across categories (supplies, food service, facilities, aftercare, etc.), making proactive adjustments to close gaps
Coordinate procurement processes for essential curricular and school supplies
Provide clear, data-driven updates to SDSO, Principal, and network leadership
Build the start-up operational budget and manage all founding-year purchasing, vendor negotiations, and launch-related resource planning
Oversee procurement of all founding furniture, technology, materials, and supplies to ensure full Day 1 readiness
Coordinate with facilities and finance teams on operational activation of the building
Oversee facilities management and vendor partnerships to maintain safe, functional, and welcoming spaces
Develop proactive facilities and safety calendars, ensuring readiness for key deadlines (e.g., testing windows, first day of school, compliance submissions)
Lead emergency preparedness systems, including safety drills, protocols, and staff readiness
Ensure the school meets all health, safety, and legal compliance requirements
Lead building readiness planning, including walkthroughs, equipment installation, space allocation, and safety configuration
Establish founding safety systems and documentation (emergency plans, safety routines, staff training)
Develop year-over-year operational shifts to support growing school needs
Build the compliance calendar and ensure all pre-opening requirements (DOE, DOH, FDNY, etc.) are met
Manage, coach, and develop a team of operations staff, with clear performance goals, feedback structures, and accountability systems
Model effective coaching by addressing underperformance directly and supporting professional growth
Build a collaborative, high-trust operations culture that strengthens teacher and family confidence
Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and SOPs for every operations employee before Day 1
Design and execute detailed, minute-by-minute plans for complex school events (testing windows, orientation, family nights, etc.), integrating staff, student flow, facilities, and contingencies
Lead and monitor systems for enrollment, testing, and state assessments to ensure accuracy, compliance, and effective communication with staff and families
Steward systems for attendance and operational data to ensure accuracy, compliance, and accessibility for decision-making
Lead professional development on school operations and systems
Establish role clarity and accountability systems across staff, ensuring follow-through
Build all founding systems and workflows (arrival/dismissal, attendance, testing, communications, meals, scheduling, safety, materials distribution)
Create the school operations handbook and all founding SOPs
Lead operational planning for summer PD, staff induction, and first-day-of-school readiness
Coordinate with network teams on technology deployment, student information systems setup, and data workflows
Qualification
Required
Deep alignment with Prospect Schools' mission and values
Minimum of 5 years of operational leadership experience in education, nonprofit, or related sectors
Demonstrated success designing and implementing systems from scratch
Proven track record of budget management, facilities oversight, compliance, enrollment operations, family engagement, and team leadership
Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to map long-term plans, manage multiple priorities, and execute under tight timelines
Skilled at building inclusive, trusting, and collaborative relationships across staff, families, vendors, and community partners
Ability to thrive in ambiguity, design clarity where none exists, and act with both urgency and strategic foresight
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a strong ability to frame decisions and recommendations for senior leaders
Bachelor's degree required
Preferred
Experience in founding or startup environments preferred
Master's degree preferred
Benefits
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Paid Time Off (PTO) and Vacation Days
401(K) and Roth 401(K) with a 4% employer match with a 3-year vesting schedule
Flexible spending accounts, including Transit Commuter Options, Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA options
Ancillary insurance, including Basic Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, and Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
Employee Assistance Program with free expert support services to assist with a variety of life issues, from family care to mental health services
Company
Prospect Schools
Brooklyn Prospect Charter School is a K-12 college preparatory community where excellent teachers prepare a diverse student body to have a positive impact on society and a lifelong passion for learning.
201-500 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Prospect Schools has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2023 (3)
2022 (1)
2020 (2)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Tresha Ward
Chief Executive Officer
Recent News
The Real Deal
2025-04-23
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