Business Operations Specialist (OMME)

CPS; Illinois; On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans (pension)

Paid time off

Parental leave

Life and disability insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Employee wellness program

Job summary

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is seeking a Business Operations Specialist for the Office of Multilingual-Multicultural Education (OMME). Reporting to the Executive Director of EL Programs and Innovation, this role supports budgeting, procurement, payroll, and workflow efficiency across OMME units.

You will partner with department leaders and vendors, manage budgets, develop contracts, and ensure compliance with district policies and grant guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of three years of professional experience in business operations.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving abilities; data-driven.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME for business operations policies and processes across OMME.
• Support budgeting, procurement, and payroll support for designated units.
• Develop service agreements, contracts, and vendor sponsorship requests.
• Monitor annual budgets and forecast spend to align with grants.
• Collaborate with vendors and the Office of Budget and Grants Management.
• Provide project support with tasks, timelines, and follow-up.
• Coordinate logistics for department events, venues, and materials.
• Ensure compliance with district policies and grant guidelines.

Skills

Business acumen

Analytical skills

Data analysis

Communication

Attention to detail

Independence

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word)

Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Drive)

Job description

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 325,000 students in 500 schools and employing over 45,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. Aligned with our transformed philosophy, we are steadfastly focused on ensuring that the District provides resources equitably to support every student, every school, and every community. Six core values guide the work we do every day for our students — student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. Each role in the district supports our vision that every student deserves a rigorous, joyful, and equitable learning experience.

The Office of Multilingual-Multicultural Education (OMME) exists to guide CPS in providing a high- quality education for all language learners that is attentive to a culturally and linguistically diverse community of students, families, and educators. OMME aims to achieve its mission through strategic planning, collaborative partnerships, professional development, and the production of tools and resources to improve instruction.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Executive Director of EL Programs and Innovation, the Business Operations Specialist will serve as part of the OMME Business Operations and Data team. This role will serve as the subject matter expert for business operations policies and processes. This role will support the efficient operations of department workflows and processes, ensuring alignment with Office standards and expectations, by assisting a portfolio of OMME teams with budgetary, procurement, project, and payroll support. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Business Operations Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• As the primary point of contact for a designated portfolio of OMME units, provide subject-matter expertise and guidance related to business operations needs, resolve issues, and ensure timely responses are received
• Support department leaders with the planning, implementation, and monitoring of administrative procedures to improve efficiency, maintain operational compliance, and ensure consistency across workstreams
• Stay abreast of changes in district policies and processes, and implement necessary adjustments to ensure continuous adherence
• Provide budgeting and procurement support for designated OMME units, assist with the preparation, management, and monitoring of annual unit budgets, assist with the development of service agreements, contracts, and the execution of vendor sponsorship requests, and forecast spend to help establish board authority and contractual spending limits
• Collaborate and maintain relationships with vendors
• Collaborate with the Office of Budget and Grants Management for department budgetary needs such as creating and managing position numbers and funding, monitoring department spending, and assisting in the management of financial
• transactions to ensure all funds are spent following OMME expectations and/or grant guidelines, where applicable
• Provide departmental support on assigned projects, including but not limited to establishing tasks and timelines, and facilitating follow-up.
• Provide logistical and procurement support for department events, including but not limited to developing project plans, securing event space/venues, sourcing and preparing materials, and coordinating food and beverage orders.
• Other duties as assigned

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Business Operations Specialist must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required. Degree focus in Business Administration, Finance, or related field preferred
• Master’s degree preferred

Experience Required:

• Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience primarily supporting business operations functions such as budgeting, accounts payable/receivable, procurement, or data management

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong business acumen, analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills; ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps
• Capable of working with large data sets, combining quantitative and qualitative analysis to assess historical trends and make future projections
• Strong organizational, verbal and written communication skills
• High levels of attention to detail, professionalism, integrity, and tact; capable of handling sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality
• Ability to work independently and be proactive in accomplishing tasks to support a portfolio of stakeholders
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners, to ensure the entire system operates in the most effective manner possible
• High technical proficiency in the use of computers and software including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word) and Google applications (Sheets, Docs, Drive)

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency – Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions; however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You’ll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

• Medical Plan Options
• Pharmacy
• Dental
• Vision
• Behavioral Health & EAP
• Employee Wellness Program
• Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow
• We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:
• Basic Life Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Pension Plans
• Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Spot Pet Insurance
• Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life
• CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:
• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Days
• Parental Leaves
• Short-Term Disability
• Religious Holidays
• Leaves

*Reference the**Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview**or the**benefits handbook**for comprehensive details.*