Louisiana Academy of Production · 1 day ago
Founding Director of Operations
Baton Rouge Metro
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
5+ years expLouisiana Academy of Production High School is launching a premier, mission-driven public charter school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We are seeking a Founding Director of Operations & Finance who will design and execute the operational and financial foundation of the school, ensuring that educators and scholars have everything they need to succeed.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Lead all non-instructional aspects of school management, ensuring smooth daily operations (i.e., facilities, safety, scheduling, front office, logistics)
Build, refine, and oversee schoolwide systems (i.e., attendance, scheduling, facilities, technology, food service, transportation, safety, and compliance)
Develop and manage operational systems and processes that support teaching and learning
Coordinate with contractors, service providers, and vendors to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and reliability
Develop, implement, and monitor emergency procedures, health/safety protocols, and risk management practices
Over time, build a strong operations team that fosters a culture of service to students, staff, and families
Serve as the primary liaison with the school’s back-office service provider to ensure accurate budgeting, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, purchasing, and reporting
Monitor school-based expenditures and reconcile monthly financial statements
Work closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to manage the school’s budget; balance short-term needs long-term financial sustainability
Oversee procurement processes and vendor contracts to ensure fiscal responsibility and compliance
Provide regular financial reports to leadership and the Board, ensuring transparency and accountability
Assist in developing and maintaining compliance with state and federal financial regulations for charter schools
Lead and manage student recruitment, enrollment, and lottery processes
Maintain accurate records in compliance with state and district requirements
Ensure welcoming and accessible family-facing systems
Collaborate with the Executive Director and other founding leadership members to design and launch core systems and structures of the school
Contribute to establishing the school’s culture, rituals, and traditions that reinforce mission and values
Support hiring, onboarding, and mentoring of staff during the startup phase
Serve as an ambassador for the school with families, community partners, and external stakeholders
Model adaptability, creativity, and resilience as the school grows and evolves
Embrace the 'all hands on deck' spirit of a startup, stepping in wherever needed to ensure the school’s success
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree or, in lieu of a degree, 10+ years of significant professional experience in operations, finance, and/or organizational leadership
Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in school operations, finance, or a related field
Proven ability to manage budgets, contracts, and vendors with attention to detail and accuracy
Build strong systems with the ability to create processes from scratch and adapt them as the school grows
Clear communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate across multiple teams
Mission-driven with a passion for education and serving students
Preferred
Advanced degree in business, finance, operations, or public administration
Administrative or supervisory experience (school-level or district-level)
Experience in a startup, charter, or fast-paced school environment
Bilingual or multilingual candidates are strongly preferred (Spanish in addition to other languages)
Benefits
Competitive salary and benefits with opportunities for growth as the school expands.
Company
Louisiana Academy of Production
Louisiana Academy of Production (LAAP) is a new groundbreaking, high-concept charter high school set to open in August of 2026 at Celtic Studios in Baton Rouge, the largest purpose-built film and television production facility in the Gulf South.
2-10 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase