Director of School Operations

Stanford Academy; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading private high school in Kitchener, Canada, is seeking an experienced Director of School Operations. In this full-time role, you will oversee the school's daily operations, lead the administrative team, and ensure compliance with educational regulations. Ideal candidates will have extensive leadership experience in education, strong strategic planning skills, and the ability to work with international partners.

Benefits

Dental care

Qualifications

• 5+ years of leadership experience in a private school or education management organization.
• Proven experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication skills in English; Mandarin is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the school.
• Provide supervision for operational staff including the Principal.
• Ensure compliance with Ministry of Education regulations.
• Lead policy development aligned with school vision.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Negotiation

Project management

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education Administration or related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Overview

Stanford Academy is a private high school located in Ontario, Canada, offering the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) to both local and international students. With a strong focus on academic excellence, global citizenship, and post-secondary success, we are committed to creating a student-centered and internationally minded learning environment.

As we continue to grow, we are looking for an experienced and strategic Director of School Operations to oversee the school's daily operations, provide leadership to the administrative team (including the Principal and Admissions / Marketing Manager), and serve as the primary liaison for external relations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily operations of the school, ensuring efficiency across academic, administrative, and student service functions;
• Provide direct supervision and performance oversight for the Principal, Admissions / Marketing Manager, and other key operational staff;
• Ensure smooth coordination between departments including academics, admissions, finance, student life, and facilities;
• Monitor and ensure compliance with all Ministry of Education (Ontario) regulations, inspections, and reporting requirements;
• Lead internal policy development and implementation to align with school vision and educational standards.
• Strong management skills with the ability to lead diverse teams effectively.
• Proficient in strategic planning with a focus on long-term organizational success.
• Demonstrated experience in senior leadership roles within an operational context.
• Excellent negotiation skills to secure beneficial agreements for the organization.
• Proven track record in business development initiatives that drive revenue growth.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple initiatives simultaneously;
• Expertise in process improvement methodologies to optimize workflows and enhance productivity;
• Comprehensive knowledge of operations management principles to ensure efficient service delivery;
• Exceptional leadership qualities that inspire teams towards achieving common goals;
• Act as the school's representative in dealings with external stakeholders, including education consultants, regulatory bodies, partner schools, universities, and community organizations;
• Oversee international partnerships, recruitment agent relations, and homestay / guardian services for international students;
• Represent the school at external meetings, education fairs, and networking events in Canada and internationally (as needed);
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships to expand the school's visibility and reputation in the global education community.

Strategic Management & Planning

• Contribute to the school's long-term growth strategies and positioning in the international education market;
• Participate in budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation decisions in coordination with the Board or ownership;
• Lead risk management initiatives, emergency planning, and quality assurance processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Education Administration, Business, or a related field (Master's preferred);
• 5+ years of leadership experience in a private school, international school, or education management organization;
• Proven experience managing cross-functional teams, including academic and marketing staff;
• Strong understanding of the Ontario education system, international student needs, and Ministry compliance;
• Excellent communication skills in English; Mandarin or another second language is a strong asset;
• Demonstrated ability to work with international partners and multicultural communities;
• Strong organizational, strategic thinking, and leadership skills.

Benefits

• Dental care

Work Location & Type

• Job Type: Full-time
• Pay: $50,000.00-$70,000.00 per year
• Work Location: In person