Associate Director of Operations

Uncommon Schools; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 104,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive health, dental, vision

New Jersey Pension program

Job summary

Uncommon Schools Newark seeks a professional to oversee day-to-day high school operations and partner with senior leaders to maximize student achievement. You will manage schedules, facilities, and staffing while ensuring a safe, well-run learning environment.

Responsibilities include leading operations, coordinating with the HS Leadership Team, and supporting key stakeholders such as the Athletic Director.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of work experience.
• Project planning experience with proven completion.
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• School-based or other educational experience preferred.
• Experience managing others preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day school operations.
• Serve as main contact for operational needs when DOO unavailable.
• Participate in High School Leadership Team.
• Manage 1–2 operations staff and oversee workstreams (attendance, purchasing, invoicing).
• Partner with Athletic Director and HS Program Manager to support stakeholders.
• Develop and manage HS schedule (teachers, students, duties).
• Oversee facilities management to keep spaces safe and functional.
• Handle additional responsibilities identified by the DOO.

Skills

Operations leadership

Critical thinking

Grit

Strategic thinking

Written communication

Time management

Multi-tasking

Calm under pressure

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Word

Excel

Access

Job description

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond. Our students consistently exceed national benchmarks, reflecting our dedication to their success. We invest deeply in our educators, offering weekly coaching, feedback, and professional development to ensure excellence in teaching and leadership. Join us to work hard, do good, and make a lasting difference!

Job Description

At Uncommon Schools, we know running exceptional schools takes more than great instruction it also takes exemplary operations! Uncommon Schools' operations leaders work passionately to ensure that our faculty maximizes time and energy on student achievement. We design, implement, and refine systems that anticipate the needs of our school community. As service-oriented leaders, we tackle problems, share standard methodologies across campuses, and respond to urgent needs. We partner to build an academic and cultural environment that supports our ultimate goal: ensuring that every student will earn a college degree.

The Associate Director of Operations (ADOO) is a member of the High School Leadership Team who leads the day-to-day operations of the school and reports directly to the High School Director of Operations. The ADOO will partner on many school leadership initiatives with the school's Academy Leader. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Leading all aspects of the day-to-day operation of the school;


• Serving as main point of contact for all operational needs in circumstances when the DOO is not available;


• Participating actively in the High School Leadership Team;


• Managing 1-2 operations staff members, at the DOO’s discretion, and overseeing the successful implementation of their workstreams (e.g., attendance, purchasing, invoice processing);


• Partnering with and providing operational support to key stakeholders and leaders such as the Athletic Director and the HS 2.0 Program Manager;


• Implementing coverage system on a daily basis;


• Developing and managing the HS schedule, including teacher and student schedules, classroom schedules, and duty assignments;


• Owning facilities management to ensure facilities are safe, well-maintained, and meet the needs of students and faculty;


• Any additional responsibilities identified by the DOO, including but not limited to student persistence and enrollment, major events, tracking time off, etc.

Qualifications

• Passionate commitment to the mission of Uncommon Schools;


• Passionate commitment to improve the minds, characters, and lives of students both in and out of school;


• Strong critical thinking skills;


• Demonstrated grit and personal responsibility;


• Ability to think strategically and innovatively, in order to continuously improve school operations;


• High-quality written and verbal communication skills with multiple partners including teachers, students, families, vendors, and colleagues;


• Ability to have difficult conversations in a respectful manner;


• Dedication to continual professional growth;


• Strong organizational skills; careful attention to detail and follow-through;


• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment; flexible, able to work autonomously as well as take direction as needed;


• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Word, Excel and Access;


• Strong time management skills; ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines;


• Ability to maintain a calm, professional attitude in the face of challenging demands and external pressures;


• School-based or other educational experience preferred;


• Experience managing others preferred;


• Required experience:
  
  
  
  • 4 or more years of work experience;
  
  
  • Project planning experience, with proven ability to see large projects through to completion;
  
  
  • A Bachelor’s degree.
  
  
  
  

Additional Information

Our people are what make us Uncommon. We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits that support the personal health, wellness, and finances of our staff and their families. Our compensation philosophy values equity & fairness and attracting & retaining top talent.

Our Approach to AI and Your Application

At Uncommon Schools, we value thoughtful use of technology. Your responses should begin with your own thinking and reflect your authentic voice, experiences, and commitment to our mission. Generative AI can be used to refine or organize writing, but not to generate initial responses or replace your ideas. Every application is reviewed by a member of our Recruitment Team, and we are committed to understanding the person behind the application.

Compensation

Most candidates who meet job description requirements will receive an offer of $104,000 - $110,000. Starting pay is determined using various factors including but not limited to relevant professional development, education certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off inclusive of sick time, paid holidays, and ~10 weeks of paid breaks (Spring, Winter, and Summer).


• Extensive, best-in-class training and development


• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans + pre-tax flexible spending (FSA), dependent care (DCFSA), and health saving accounts (HSA)


• Financial Planning
  
  
  
  • New Jersey Pension program
  
  
  
  


• Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.)


• Mental health and counseling support + wellness benefits

*A detailed list of all SY 26-27 benefits is located HERE.

At Uncommon, we believe that a supportive and welcoming environment helps our students, staff, and community thrive. We are dedicated to building a team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, reflective of the communities we serve, with over 70% of our staff identifying as people of color. Our organization values respect and open dialogue on important topics that shape our school culture.

As an equal opportunity employer, Uncommon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We also ensure that individuals with disabilities receive all privileges and benefits associated with employment and are provided reasonable accommodations for the interview process and to perform core job functions. If you would like to request an accommodation, please email [e-mail].