Chief Operating Officer

JUNIPERO SERRA HIGH SCHOOL; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A Catholic college preparatory school in San Francisco seeks a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to oversee operational systems and ensure alignment with the school's mission. The COO will lead strategic planning, manage budgets, and work collaboratively with academic leadership. Candidates must have a strong background in educational administration and a commitment to Catholic values. This senior position offers the chance to significantly impact student success and institutional growth.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of leadership or administrative experience in an educational environment.
• Experience in operations management, budgeting, and financial oversight.
• Ability to supervise staff and manage multiple departments effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational implementation of the school’s strategic plan.
• Ensure institutional operations support academic programs and student life.
• Design and implement key performance indicators aligned with strategic goals.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

Operational systems

Decision-making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education, Business Administration, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Junípero Serra High School is a Catholic college preparatory for boys. Located in San Mateo, in the heart of the San Francisco Peninsula, Serra’s legacy spans more than 80years of excellence in Catholic education. A rich and rigorous academic curriculum, a wide range of extracurricular activities, and an environment of support, compassionand mutual respect are hallmarks of Serra. Serra’s faculty and staff are deeply committed to mentoring their students, providing a framework for young men to grow in faith, wisdom and service as active members and leaders in the community.

Position Overview

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) serves as a senior institutional leader responsible for ensuring that the school’s mission, strategic plan, and educational priorities are supported by strong operational systems, disciplined execution, and clear accountability. Reporting directly to the President, the COO partners with senior leadership to translate institutional vision into measurable action through structured policies, efficient processes, and performance-driven metrics. The COO ensures that institutional resources, operational systems, and personnel are aligned to support academic excellence, student formation, enrollment stability, and the Catholic mission.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning & Institutional Effectiveness

• Lead the operational implementation of the school’s strategic plan
• Establish systems that support continuous improvement and accreditation standards
• Develop institutional performance metrics and evaluate progress toward strategic goals
• Provide reporting to the President, Board of Regents, Archdiocese Department of Catholic Schools, and Superintendent
• Identify operational risks and opportunities affecting institutional performance or student experience

Operational Leadership & Oversight

• Provide executive oversight of facilities, campus operations, technology systems, safety, and auxiliary services
• Ensure institutional operations support academic programs and student life
• Strengthen cross‑departmental coordination and communication
• Partner with Finance to ensure operational planning aligns with financial sustainability
• Develop and maintain institutional policies and procedures promoting consistency and accountability
• Ensure operational systems align with accreditation and governance expectations
• Support documentation and readiness for accreditation reviews

Data, Performance & Accountability

• Design and implement key performance indicators aligned with strategic goals
• Establish dashboards and reporting systems to support data-informed decision making
• Conduct performance reviews with department leaders
• Support data-driven planning for enrollment sustainability and resource allocation

Leadership & Mission Alignment

• Serve as a collaborative partner to academic leadership, enrollment management, advancement, and student services
• Promote a culture of professionalism, service, and accountability rooted in Catholic values
• Communicate effectively with faculty, staff, leadership, and governing bodies
• Model leadership is aligned with the school’s mission of forming students of character and competence

Qualifications

• Commitment to the mission and values of Catholic education
• Senior leadership experience in operations, administration, or institutional management
• Experience implementing operational systems and performance metrics
• Strong leadership, communication, and strategic planning skills
• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)
• Minimum of 5–10 years of leadership, management, or administrative experience, preferably in an educational environment
• Strong leadership, organizational, and decision-making skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• Experience in operations management, budgeting, and financial oversight
• Ability to supervise staff and manage multiple departments effectively
• Knowledge of school policies, safety procedures, and regulatory compliance
• Strong problem-solving and strategic planning skills
• Proficiency in office and administrative software
• Ability to collaborate with school leadership, faculty, staff, and the broader school community
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to student success
• List of references andfour letters of recommendation

All employees of the Archdiocese of San Francisco shall be employed without regard to race, color, sex, ethnic or national origin and pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal history.